low latitude climates Flashcards
The ____________ lie for the most part between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and represent about 50 percent of Earth’s surface. They occupy the entire equatorial zone (10° N to 10° S), most of the tropical zone (10° to 15° N and S), and part of the subtropical zone (25–35° N and S)
low latitude climates
The low-latitude climates are characteristically
lly warm throughout the year, and are sometimes described as lacking any winter season. Constant warmth is the distinguishing feature of these climates, with the 18 °C winter isotherm used to establish their poleward limits.
The __________________occurs in areas where the ITCZ is nearby for most of the year. This climate is dominated by warm, moist maritime equatorial (mE) and maritime tropical (mT) air masses that yield heavy convectional rainfall. The wet equatorial climate is found in the latitude range 10° N to 10° S.
wet equatorial climate
Precipitation is plentiful in all months, and the annual total often exceeds 2,500 mm. There is usually a seasonal pattern to the rainfall, with a somewhat wetter period occurring during the time of year when the ITCZ migrates into the region. Mean monthly and mean annual temperatures are typically close to 27 °C
The monsoon and trade-wind coastal climate occurs in latitudes from
5° to 25° N and S.
Like the wet equatorial climate, the monsoon and trade-wind coastal climate
has abundant rainfall. However, the rainfall in monsoon and trade-wind coastal regions shows a stronger seasonal pattern (especially pronounced in monsoon climates
The monsoon and trade-wind coastal climate results from two somewhat different situation
On tradewind coasts, moisture-laden maritime tropical (mT) and maritime equatorial (mE) air masses produce rainfall. The trade winds move these air masses onshore across narrow coastal zones backed by highlands. As the warm, moist air passes over coastal hills and mountains, the orographic effect produces shower activi
Rainfall is also intensified by easterly waves, which are more frequent when the ITCZ is nearby. This trade-wind effect is limited to the east coasts of land masses because the trade winds blow from east to west. The monsoon climate occurs anywhere where there is a seasonal shift in wind direction
In the monsoon and trade-wind coastal climate, the warmest temperatures occur in the high-sun season, just before the arrival of the ITCZ brings clouds and rain. The seasonal reduction in solar radiation caused by the heavy cloud cover affects temperature through the summer. Generally there is no shortage of moisture in the wet equatorial and monsoon and trade wind coastal climates, and even during the extended dry periods that occur in the monsoo
In the monsoon and trade-wind coastal climate, the ITCZ moves into and away from the region to produce the seasonal cycles of rainfall and temperature. These cycles become stronger farther from the equator, and the monsoon and trade-wind coastal climate grades into the
wet dry tropical climate
The wet-dry tropical climate is distinguished b
y very dry conditions during the low-sun season; this alternates with very wet conditions during the high-sun season. During the low-sun season, the ITCZ moves well beyond the wet-dry tropical climate region, and the dominant air masses are of the dry continental tropical (cT) type
characteristic of the tropical wet-dry climate is its large year-to-year variability in precipitatio
e dry tropical climatei
associated with the subtropical high pressure cells. Here, strong subsidence and adiabatic warming inhibit condensation. Rainfall is rare and occurs only when unusual weather conditions move moist air into the reg
Since skies are clear most of the time, the sun heats the surface intensely, keeping air temperatures high. During the high-sun period, heat is extrem
he driest areas of the dry tropical climate are centrednear
he Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, with rainfall increasing toward the equator. Immediately adjacent to the dry tropical regions, precipitation comes during a short rainy season at the time of the year when the ITCZ is nearb
Highland climates
re cool to cold, usually moist, climates that are associated with mountainous regions and high plateaus (closely associated with the climate of the surrounding lowlands). Generally, the higher the location, the colder and wetter is its climate. Temperatures are lower since air temperatures in the atmosphere normally decrease with altitude. Rainfall increases because orographic precipitation tends to be induced when air masses ascend to higher elevations, especially on windward slope
