The Pacific Ocean is the largest body of water in the world. It stretches from the very north of the planet to its south, reaching the shores of Antarctica. It reaches its greatest width at the equator, in the tropical and subtropical zones. Therefore, the climate of the Pacific Ocean is more defined as warm, because most of it falls on the tropics. This ocean has both warm and cold currents. It depends on which continent the bay adjoins in one place or another and what atmospheric flows are formed above it.
Atmospheric circulation
In many ways, the climate of the Pacific Ocean depends on the atmospheric pressure that forms over it. In this section, geographers distinguish five main areas. Among them there are zones of both high and low pressure. In the subtropics in both hemispheres of the planet, two areas of high pressure are formed above the ocean. They are called the North Pacific or Hawaiian High and the South Pacific High. The closer to the equator, the lowerpressure becomes. We also note that the atmospheric dynamics in the Western Hemisphere is lower than in the Eastern Hemisphere. In the north and south of the ocean, dynamic lows are formed - the Aleutian and Antarctic, respectively. The northern one exists only in the winter season, while the southern one is stable all year round in terms of its atmospheric features.
Winds
Such a factor as the trade winds, largely affects the climate of the Pacific Ocean. In short, such wind currents are formed in the tropics and subtropics in both hemispheres. A system of trade winds has been established there for centuries, which cause warm currents and a stable hot air temperature. They are separated by a strip of equatorial calm. Calms prevail in this area, but light winds occasionally occur. In the northwestern part of the ocean, monsoons are the most frequent guests. In winter, the wind blows from the Asian continent, bringing cold and dry air with it. In summer, the ocean wind blows, which increases the humidity and temperature of the air. The temperate climate zone, as well as the entire southern hemisphere, starting from the subtropical climate, is subject to strong winds. The climate of the Pacific Ocean in these areas is characterized by typhoons, hurricanes, gusty winds.
Air temperature
In order to visually understand what temperatures the Pacific Ocean is characterized by, the map will come to our aid. We see that this reservoir is located in all climatic zones, starting from the northern, icy, passing through the equator andending with the southern, also icy. Above the surface of the entire reservoir, the climate is subject to latitudinal zonality and winds, which bring hot or cold temperatures to certain regions. In equatorial latitudes, the thermometer shows from 20 to 28 degrees in August, approximately the same indicators are observed in February. In temperate latitudes, February temperatures reach -25 Celsius, and in August the thermometer rises to +20.
Characteristics of currents, their influence on temperature
The peculiarities of the climate of the Pacific Ocean are that in some latitudes at the same time different weather can be observed. Everything works out this way because the ocean consists of various currents that bring warm or cold cyclones here from the continents. So let's start with the Northern Hemisphere. In the tropical zone, the western part of the reservoir is always warmer than the eastern one. This is due to the fact that in the west the waters are warmed by the trade winds and the Kuroshio and East Australian currents. In the east, the waters are cooled by the Peruvian and California currents. In the temperate zone, on the contrary, the east is warmer than the west. Here the western part is cooled by the Kuril current, and the eastern part is heated by the Alaska current. If we consider the Southern Hemisphere, then we will not find a significant difference between the West and the East. Everything happens naturally here, since the trade winds and winds of high latitudes distribute the temperature over the surface of the water in the same way.
Clouds and pressure
Also climateThe Pacific Ocean depends on atmospheric phenomena that form over one or another of its areas. An increase in air currents is observed in low pressure zones, as well as in coastal areas where there is a mountainous area. The closer to the equator, the less clouds gather over the waters. In temperate latitudes, they are contained in 80-70 percent, in the subtropics - 60-70%, in the tropics - 40-50%, and at the equator only 10 percent.
Precipitation
Now let's look at the weather conditions in the Pacific Ocean. A map of climatic zones shows that the highest humidity here falls on the tropical and subtropical zones, which are located north of the equator. Here the amount of precipitation is equal to 3000 mm. In temperate latitudes, this figure is reduced to 1000-2000 mm. Also note that in the West the climate is always drier than in the East. The most arid region of the ocean is the coastal zone near the California Peninsula and off the coast of Peru. Here, due to problems with condensation, the amount of precipitation is reduced to 300-200 mm. In some areas, it is extremely low and is only 30 mm.
Climate of the seas of the Pacific Ocean
In the classical version, it is believed that this water reservoir has three seas - the Sea of Japan, the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. These reservoirs are separated from the main reservoir by islands or peninsulas, they are adjacent to the continents and belong to countries, in this case Russia. Their climate is determined by the interaction of ocean and land. The average temperature above the water surface in Februaryis about 15-20 below zero, in the coastal zone - 4 below zero. The Sea of Japan is the warmest, because the temperature in it is kept within +5 degrees. The most severe winters are in the north of the Sea of Okhotsk. Here the thermometer can show below -30 degrees. In summer, the seas heat up to an average of 16-20 above zero. Naturally, in this case, the Okhotsk will be cold - +13-16, and the Japanese can warm up to +30 or more.
Conclusion
The Pacific Ocean, which is, in fact, the largest geographical feature on the planet, is characterized by a very diverse climate. Regardless of the season, a certain atmospheric influence is formed over its waters, which generates low or high temperatures, strong winds or complete calm.
