Climatic conditions can change and transform, but in general terms they remain the same, making some regions attractive for tourism and others difficult to survive. It is worth understanding the existing species for a better understanding of the geographical features of the planet and a responsible attitude to the environment - humanity may lose some belts during global warming and other catastrophic processes.
What is climate?
This definition is understood as the established weather regime that distinguishes a particular area. It is reflected in the complex of all changes observed in the territory. Climate types affect nature, determine the state of water bodies and soils, lead to the emergence of specific plants and animals, and affect the development of economic and agricultural sectors. Formation occurs as a result of exposure to solar radiation and winds in combination with the variety of the surface. All these factors directly depend on the geographic latitude, which determines the angle of incidence of the rays, and hence the volume of heat production.
What affects the climate?
Determine what the weather will be, can be different conditions (in addition to geographic latitude). For example, proximity to the ocean has a strong impact. The furtherthe territory is located from large waters, the less it receives precipitation, and the more uneven it is. Closer to the ocean, the amplitude of fluctuations is small, and all types of climate in such lands are much milder than continental ones. Sea currents are no less significant. For example, they warm the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula, which contributes to the growth of forests there. At the same time, Greenland, which has a similar location, is covered with ice all year round. Strongly affects the formation of climate and relief. The higher the terrain, the lower the temperature, so it can be cold in the mountains even if they are in the tropics. In addition, the ridges can trap air masses, which causes a lot of precipitation on the windward slopes, and much less on the continent. Finally, it is worth noting the impact of winds, which can also seriously change the types of climate. Monsoons, hurricanes and typhoons carry moisture and have a marked effect on the weather.
All existing types
Before studying each type separately, it is worth understanding the general classification. What are the main types of climate? The easiest way to understand the example of a particular country. The Russian Federation occupies a large area, and the weather in the country is very different. The table will help to study everything. The types of climates and the places where they prevail are distributed in it according to each other.
| Arctic climate | Islands of the Arctic Ocean, Siberia in coastal areas |
| Subarctic climate | Area along the Arctic Circle |
| Temperate climate | Central European part, West Siberian Plain, Far East |
| Subtropical climate | Black Sea coast, Caucasus |
As you can see, the equatorial belt and some intermediate types are missing. What characterizes each of the above can be studied in detail, starting from the pole and moving down the map.
Arctic climate
Also known as polar, a similar type is typical for zones near the pole. It is included in the types of climates in Russia - the table begins with this particular variant of weather conditions. In general, there are two varieties of it. The first is the polar climatic zone in the Arctic, and the second is in the Antarctic. The weather conditions in such areas are severe, not implying comfortable human habitation. Throughout the year, the zone is characterized by sub-zero temperatures; even in August, the air can warm up to only five degrees. This period is called the polar summer, it lasts only a few weeks or does not occur at all. Winter is long and has little snow. Average temperatures are determined by the territory: the type of climate suggests both minus ten in the Atlantic Ocean and up to thirty-five degrees below zero in the Pacific. The belt is characterized by a minimum amount of precipitation, not exceeding three hundred millimeters. There is practically no vegetation on such lands, only lichens and mosses survive.
Temperate climate
These weather conditions are the most common. The temperate type of climate prevails between 45 and 65 degrees in the Northern Hemisphere and between 42 and 58 in the Southern. It is characterized by a clear division of the year into four seasons with two transitional (spring and autumn), warm (summer) and cold (winter). The weather is characterized by periodic cloudiness, precipitation is formed under the influence of cyclones and anticyclones. The closer the territory is to the ocean, the more noticeable their impact. At the same time, the farther the area is from the water area, the stronger the temperature fluctuation becomes. Transitional seasons are usually protracted, with long decreases and increases in degrees. The average temperatures of the coldest month, January, can range from 10 to 40 below zero, all determined by the specific location of the region. July is the hottest month (average temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius). The table describing the types of climates in Russia refers most of the territories to the temperate zone. It is also typical for the USA and most of Europe. In such a zone, coniferous and mixed forests, sometimes forest-steppes, are common. Year-round vegetation is not possible due to the change of seasons.
Tropical
Typical for lands located between 20 and 30 degrees north or south latitude. Tropical is included in the main types of climate. It is characterized by extremely low humidity and minimal precipitation, the predominance of high pressure anticyclones, which leads tofrequent sunny days. Strong dry winds often blow here, which are the cause of a sandstorm in the desert area. In such a territory there are no four seasons, which implies a temperate climate zone. The climate type of the tropics provides only two seasons - cold and warm, with temperature fluctuations within thirty degrees. The record heat was plus fifty-eight. This type is also distinguished by noticeable daily fluctuations, sometimes reaching up to thirty degrees. For example, in summer the air heats up to forty-five, and in the evening it cools down to fifteen. Frosts are rarely observed at night. As mentioned above, this type of climate forms deserts. The most famous is the Sahara. The tropical climate is typical for Mexico, North and South Africa, Arabia and Australia. Savannah and deciduous forest zones can be found in humid areas of these territories.
Equatorial climate
This weather option is typical for the regions of the central belt of the Earth. Just such a zone is observed several hundred kilometers south and north of the equator. It is included in the main types of climate, of which there are four. Equatorial weather is characterized by the highest temperature levels all year round. The average is about 25 degrees. In the daytime, the air can warm up to forty, and at night it can cool down to fifteen. During the year, this temperature regime does not change. Other types of climate are characterized by at least a slight change in seasons, while the equatorial one ispermanent summer. The maximum decrease in the average monthly temperature is only two degrees in the winter months. In addition, there is extremely heavy rainfall, presented in the form of a downpour with a thunderstorm. Their number can reach tens of thousands of millimeters. Due to the high temperature, the volatility in this area is consistently good. The equatorial climate is also distinguished by the length of daylight hours, reaching twelve hours. This zone is characterized by rich flora and fauna. Almost half of all existing species of both animals and plants are found in the equatorial climate zone. It is typical for South America, Africa and Indonesia.
Subpolar climate
It is worth talking about intermediate options. You can easily determine the type of climate in the Arctic or at the equator, but what about, say, the tundra? It combines the properties of polar and temperate! Therefore, scientists have identified intermediate options. The subpolar climate is characterized by a low level of evaporation with precipitation of five hundred millimeters, which leads to the formation of swamps. Summer in such areas is cold and short, with temperatures not exceeding fifteen degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to minus forty-five. The territory is covered with permafrost and is characterized by minimal vegetation in the form of lichens. Such weather distinguishes the northern parts of Russia, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, Alaska and Antarctica.
Subtropical climate
This band stretches between 30 and 40 degrees north or south latitude. It separates the temperate type of climate fromtropical. The USA, Asia, the Mediterranean, Japan, New Zealand and Australia are located in the subtropics. The subtropical climate is considered the best for human he alth. Two seasons can be distinguished in it: dry and warm in summer and cool and wet in winter, which takes place under the influence of air masses moving from temperate zones. The annual temperature range is quite large. In summer, the air warms up to thirty-five, falling to two degrees on a winter night. During the day, the differences are small. The warmest months are July and August, the coldest months are January and February. In the Southern Hemisphere, the situation is reversed. The subtropical climate is characterized by evergreen forests, sometimes semi-deserts. A variety of flora is guaranteed by the weather, which ensures year-round vegetation.
Subequatorial climate
This type of weather prevails on lands located just below the tropical zone. It is transitional. In summer, equatorial masses dominate here with heavy precipitation, up to six thousand millimeters can fall. In winter, the time of tropical monsoons comes, which provide the territory with dry and warm air. During the drought period, the amount of precipitation does not exceed fifteen millimeters. This leads to the fact that two seasons can be clearly distinguished in this zone: the rainy season and the dry months. At the same time, the temperature remains quite high throughout the year. In the winter months, it drops only a couple of degrees. In addition, the daytime amplitude is also small: the nights tend to be almost as warm as the days. subequatorialThe climate is characterized by humid forests, which are home to many animals - rodents, predators, artiodactyls.
Marine climate
It is also worth highlighting the various zones located within the same belt. It is possible to single out a temperate maritime or tropical maritime climate, which have some similarities, despite impressive differences. So, this type is typical for territories on the coast. It is distinguished by minimal fluctuations in both annual and daily temperatures and very mild transitions of the seasons. The maritime climate is characterized by strong winds, high clouds and constant humidity. Such territory can be found, for example, in Western Europe.
Continental climate
This weather prevails in regions further beyond the maritime climate zone. What are its features? The continental type of climate is distinguished by sunny weather with anticyclones and an impressive amplitude of both annual and daily temperatures. Here, summer quickly turns into winter. The continental type of climate can be further divided into temperate, harsh and normal. The best example is the central part of Russia.
Monsoon climate
This type of weather is characterized by a sharp difference between winter and summer temperatures. In the warm season, the weather is formed under the influence of winds blowing on land from the sea. Therefore, in summer, the monsoon type of climate resembles a marine one, with heavy rains, high clouds, humid air and strong winds. In winter, the direction of the air masses changes. The monsoon type of climate begins to resemble continental - with a clear andfrosty weather and minimal rainfall throughout the season. Such variants of natural conditions are typical for several Asian countries - they are found in Japan, the Far East and northern India.
