Earth Science, Tarbuck Chap 20 Flashcards
Different Koppen classification of climates
Humid Tropical, Dry, Humid Mid-latitude Mild winters, Humid mid-latitude Severe winters, and polar
What Letters are used in the Koppen Classification
A, B, C, D, E
Tropical Climates in Koppen Classification are lettered with
Af, Am, Aw
What are Af and Am regions
Wet tropical, usually tropical rainforests. Regions near the equator
What are Aw regions
Wet and Dry tropical, usually tropical savannas. Features distinct wet summer months and dry winter months
Dry climates in Koppen Classifications are lettered with
BW and BS
What are BW regions
Arid/desert regions
What are BS regions
Semi-arid/Steppe regions
Differences between Steppe and Desert regions
Degree of water deficiency
Where are low-latitude deserts or steppes found
Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
Where are middle-latitude deserts or steppes found
Middle of continent away from oceans or rainshadow deserts
What are humid subtropics lettered with
Cfa, Cwa, Cwb
What are humid subtropics
Often on the eastern side of continents, humid subtropics experience hot, sultry
weather of the type one expects to find in the rainy
tropics in the summer and frosts are common in the higher-latitude
Cfa areas and occasionally plague the tropical margins
as well in winter.
What are Marine West coast climates lettered by
Cfb, Cfa
What are Marine west coast climates
Often on the Western side of continents, often at 40-65 degree latitude, with mild winters and cool summers.
What are Mediterranean climates
Found on western side of continents between 30-45 degree latitude, strong winter rainfall maximum and stable summers
What are mediterranean climates lettered by
Csa and Csb
Difference between C and D climates
D climates have severe winters while C climates have mild
Two Types of D Climates
Humid Continental and Subarctic
3 types of C climates
Mediterranean, Marine West Coast, and Humid Subtropical
What is the Humid Continental climate
Central and Eastern Portions of Continents in 40-50 degree latitude. Precipitation is generally greater in summer and Winter precipitation is formed from mid-latitude cyclones
What are Subarctic climates
north of the humid continental
climate and long winters, with temperatures being bitterly cold and warm summers
What are E climates
Polar Climates
2 Types of E Climates
tundra climate(ET) and Ice Cap Climate(EF)
What are Tundra Climates
treeless climate found
almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere where winters are severe and summers are cool.
What are Ice Cap climates
Temperatures stay below freezing and growth of vegetation is limited
Difference between Highland Climates and Surrounding lowlands
Highland Climates are cooler and
usually wetter.
What are positive feedback loops
reinforce the initial change
What are negative feedback loops
Offset initial change
