Unit 4 - Climate - Climate Types

Question 1

State the five main climate types.

Answer 1

Tropical - Equatorial and Tropical Zone eg. Brazil
Dry - Sub-Tropical Zone eg. Mexico
Mild mid-latitude- Temperate Zone eg. UK
Cold mid-latitude - Subpolar Zone eg. Canada
Polar - Polar Zone eg. Greenland

Question 2

What are the main influences of the climate on the tropical region?

Answer 2

The overhead position of the sun giving high insolation throughout the year – this links back to the work on absorbed solar radiation.
The path of the upper jet streams affecting the path of low pressure systems.
The position and seasonal movement of the ITCZ together with the tropical pressure belts’ wind systems.

Question 3

What are the main influences of the climate on the temperate region?

Answer 3

Mid-latitude position
The influence of low pressure belts and the polar front as well as the influence of the upper jet stream
The seasonal changes of pressure and wind belts
The position of the different air masses affecting such regions.

Question 4

Describe a case study of a tropical region and it’s climate.

Answer 4

• Located 5-20 degrees latitude on either side of the equatorial belt.
• High temperature of 25-35oC due to high insolation.
• Hot, wet season with high humidity, but high evaporation rates in dry season.
• Rainfall linked to movement of the ITCZ.
• Hot season: Low pressure dominates, moist winds and rising air currents lead to convectional rainfall.
• Dry season: High pressure dominates, sometimes preventing ITCZ movement and causes droughts.

Question 5

What is the heat equator?

Answer 5

The thermal (or heat) equator is used to describe the belt of maximum temperatures surrounding the globe which migrates roughly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Question 6

What is the ITCZ?

Answer 6

The ‘Intertropical Convergence Zone’. The ITCZ is a zone of convergence at the thermal equator where the trade winds meet. It is a low pressure belt and migrates with the changing position of the thermal equator.

Question 7

How does the Earth’s tilt and or orbit affect the worlds climate?

Answer 7

The Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun influence seasons, with the Sun’s position shifting between March and September, directly above the equator. This affects the point of maximum insolation, which influences the latitudinal movement of pressure belts and wind systems, the ITCZ, which results in the thermal equator. The ITCZ is where the two Hadley cells meet, causing moist tropical air to rain. The movement of the ITCZ is crucial for seasonal rainfall in the tropics. While the ITCZ over the ocean does not shift beyond 5 degrees on either side of the equator, the latitudinal seasonal shift is greater on land.

Question 8

Describe a case study of a monsoon climate.

Answer 8

• Monsoon climates occur mainly on the eastern side of continental landmasses, particularly the Indian subcontinent.
• The monsoon climate is divided into hot, wet and a cooler, dry season.
• The wet monsoon season occurs with the movement of the ITCZ, bringing hot, moist winds from the ocean.
• High temperatures, humidity, and rainfall are common, with average rainfall around 2000mm.
• Cyclones and hurricanes are associated with the end of the rainy season.
• The cooler dry season coincides with high pressure as the ITCZ moves back towards the Equator.
• High pressure dominates winds, with temperatures remaining relatively high.
• Extreme weather conditions are more severe in mountainous areas.