On the globe, the main climatic zones are distinguished. Climatic zones of the planet - a brief educational program

Definition 1

climate zone- This is a latitudinal strip on the surface of the Earth, with a relatively uniform climate.

Climatic zones differ from each other air temperature and dominating air masses. In accordance with their properties, the main features of the climate are determined. Change of climatic zones on the planet occurs zonal, i.e. from equator to the poles. The classification of climatic zones, which is used in Russia and in most countries of the world, was created by a Soviet climatologist B.P. Alisov in $1956$. He singles out basic and transitional climatic zones.

There are seven main climatic zones:

equatorial belt;
Two tropical belts;
Two temperate belts;
Two polar belts arctic and antarctic.

In these climatic zones, only air masses dominate during the year, with the same names.

Equatorial climate zone located on both sides of the equator. The territory and water area of the belt receives during the year a large number of heat, and average monthly temperatures are $24$-$28$ degrees. On land, the radiation balance reaches $90$ kcal/cm2. in year. The annual precipitation is up to $3000$ mm per year, and on the windward slopes - up to $10,000$ mm. Humidification is excessive here, because the amount of precipitation is much greater than evaporation.

Tropical climate zones. One tropical belt is located in Northern hemisphere of the planet, the second - in Southern hemisphere. Tropical belts cross all continents except Antarctica and are well expressed in the oceans between the $20$ and $30$ parallels of both hemispheres. The climate of the tropics is influenced by tropical air masses, with their characteristic high atmospheric pressure and anticyclonic circulation. There is very little cloud cover throughout the year, relative humidity and annual rainfall. The prevailing winds are trade winds. Summer average monthly air temperatures are + $30$-$35$ degrees, winter temperatures are not lower than +$10$ degrees. Daily and annual amplitudes are quite high. Annual precipitation is from $50$-$200$ mm. The exception is the eastern outskirts of the continents, and on the islands the windward slopes of the mountains receive up to $2000$ mm or more. For example, in the Hawaiian Islands about $13,000 mm falls. On the western coasts of the continents, the climate will be cooler due to cold ocean currents. There will be more high humidity air, even temperature and frequent fogs.

temperate climatic zones. One temperate zone is located in Northern hemisphere, between $40$ and $65$ parallel, the other - in Southern between $42$ and $58$ parallel. These are the largest climatic zones in terms of area. One of the differences between these belts is that in the Northern Hemisphere, the belt occupies more than half sushi, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true. There $98\%$ falls on ocean. In temperate zones, there is a clear seasonality of the climate. It is expressed in a large difference between summer and winter temperatures. Moreover, in the Northern Hemisphere, the annual and daily amplitude is much higher than in the Southern. The western transport of air masses of temperate latitudes dominates here, and intense cyclonic activity is observed. To the margins of the continents, the amount of precipitation increases, and the annual amount is $800$-$2000$ mm. On the windward oceanic slopes, their number increases and reaches $5000$-$8000$ mm.

Polar climate zones(Arctic and Antarctic). in the northern hemisphere arctic the belt begins north of the $70$ parallel, and Antarctic south of the $65$ parallel. Both belts are characterized by polar nights and polar days. Eternal ice and snows radiate a huge amount of solar heat, which is the cause of very cold air. Atmospheric pressure is high all year round and dominated by east winds. Located in Antarctica pole of cold planets. AT summer period the average air temperature is $30$ degrees, and the winter temperature is $70$. At the Russian polar station East» The temperature drops to -$88.3$ degrees. On the Antarctic coast, average monthly summer temperatures range from -$1$ to -$5$ degrees, and winter temperatures from -$18$ to -$20$ degrees. over the Greenland ice sheet Arctic climatic conditions similar but softer. In the Atlantic regions Arctic and up to the Pole, the summer temperature is about $0$ degrees, and with warm air intrusion, it rises to +$5$. Average winter temperatures are around - $20$ degrees. American the Arctic sector is more severe with temperatures of -$50 degrees in winter and -$10 degrees in summer. The largest number rainfall falls on European sector of the Arctic, where $300-$350 mm falls, and in Asian and American sector from $160$-$250$ mm.

Transitional climatic zones.

Between the main climatic zones are zones transitional belts. They are $6$ and are characterized by a seasonal change in the prevailing air masses, i.e. in the summer one dominates there air mass, and in winter - another. The prefix " sub", which in Latin means " under”, i.e., a belt located under the main.

Transition belts include:

Two subequatorial belts;
Two subtropical belts;
Sat arctic belt;
Subantarctic belt.

Sat equatorial climate ical belt. These belts are located south and north of the equatorial. As a result of the shift of climatic zones according to the seasons of the year, humid equatorial air comes here in summer, winter period dry tropical comes. Summer for subequatorial belts will be wet, a winter is dry. Despite this, the average annual precipitation is excessive and reaches $1500$ mm per year. On the slopes of the mountains, precipitation is even more - $6,000-$10,000 mm per year. The difference between summer and winter temperatures is small, but the difference with the equatorial belt is felt. Summer temperatures range from $22$-$30$ degrees. Beyond the oceans sub equatorial belt passes through South America, Central Africa, Hindustan, Indochina, Northern Australia.

Subtropical climatic zones. They are located within $30$-$40$ degrees of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. From the south, the subtropics border on the tropical zone, and on the north with the temperate belt in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, north of the subtropics is the tropical zone, and the temperate zone to the south. Thermal modes alternate half-yearly - in winter there is a moderate regime, and in summer - tropical. Frosts are already possible for the subtropics. Within the ocean belts are characterized by high temperature and high salinity of water.

Subarctic climate zone. This transitional belt is closest to North Pole Earth. Moderate and arctic air masses alternate during the year. The belt occupies northern Canada, Alaska, the southern tip of Greenland, northern Iceland and the Scandinavian Peninsula. Within Russia, it passes through the northern part of Western and Central Siberia, as well as the Far East.

Subantarctic climate zone. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, this belt occupies a number of Antarctic islands and the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The belt is characterized by a short summer with temperatures below + $20$ degrees. Cold air masses in winter reduce the temperature to negative values. And it stays below freezing most of the year. The same is true for the subarctic zone. There are few precipitations and they are reduced from $500$-$250$ mm and below.

climate-forming factors

On the formation of the planet's climate big influence render external and internal factors. Most of the external factors have an impact on the total amount of incoming solar radiation, its distribution by seasons of the year, by hemispheres and continents.

External factors include the parameters of the earth's orbit and earth's axis:

Distance between Sun and Earth. It determines the amount of solar energy received;
The inclination of the rotation of the earth's axis to the plane of the orbit, which determines seasonal changes;
The eccentricity of the Earth's orbit. Influences heat distribution and seasonal changes.

Internal factors include:

The configuration of the oceans and continents and their relative position;
The presence of active volcanoes that can change the climate up to the volcanic winter;
Albedo of the Earth's atmosphere and its surface;
Air masses;
The proximity of oceans and seas that moderate the climate, with the exception of cold currents in them;
The nature of the underlying surface;
Human economic activity;
Heat flows of the planet.

In order to define such a concept as a climate zone, it is necessary to distinguish between such concepts as climate and weather.

Climate is usually called the average established weather regime, and the definition of weather sounds like the state of the troposphere at a certain time in a certain place. What is the climate zone, and what are its types?

The concept of the climate zone and its features

Latitudinal strip earth's surface, which differs from other bands by the intensity of heating of the Sun and the circulation of the atmosphere, it is customary to call the climatic zone.

In total, there are 7 types of climatic zones on planet Earth. But these types also have their own classification, they are divided into two types of climatic zones: basic and transitional. The main belts are also called permanent.

Main and transitional belts

The main or permanent type of climatic zone is considered to be the zone in which one air mass prevails throughout the year. And transitional air masses are characterized by a change in air masses - colder comes in winter, and hotter in summer. The names of transitional belts are written with the prefix "sub".

The permanent climatic zones are considered to be the equatorial, temperate, arctic and tropical zones. And among the variables, the subequatorial belt, subtropical and subarctic are distinguished.

equatorial belt

This type of permanent belt is located in the equatorial region. It is considered to be the only belt that is torn into several parts. Throughout the year, it is under the influence of one air mass, which is also called equatorial.

The main characteristics of the belt are: heat (temperature from 20°C), a large amount of precipitation - up to 7000 mm per year, high humidity. The natural zone of this belt are moist forests in which many poisonous animals and plants live.

The equatorial belt includes the Amazonian lowland, which is located in South America, the Greater Sunda Islands and equatorial Africa.

subequatorial belt

This type of belt is located between tropical and equatorial. This means that during the year two air masses of these belts are replaced on its territory.

The subequatorial belt is characteristic of the north South America, the Indian subcontinent, Northern Australia and Southeast Asia.

Tropical and subtropical belts

The tropical view of the climatic zone is characteristic of tropical latitudes. In the tropics, the weather will depend on the height of the sun above the horizon. The tropical zone is characterized by sudden changes in temperature - from cold to hot.

For this reason, its natural zone is presented in the form of semi-deserts and deserts, vegetation and animal world which are very scarce. The tropical zone is characteristic of Mexico, North Africa, Caribbean, for southern Brazil and central Australia.

The subtropical zone is located between the temperate and tropical zones. Separate the southern and northern subtropical belts. In summer, tropical heat reigns here, which is characterized by dryness, and moderate cold air mass dominates in winter.

The subtropical belt is located on the territory North America(USA), it is typical for the south of Japan, North Africa and the Great Plain of China. And in the southern hemisphere, the subtropical zone occupies the north of New Zealand, the south of Australia and the south of Africa.

Temperate zone

The main characteristic of this belt is that the temperature of one air mass varies by season: cold winters, hot summers, spring and autumn can be clearly distinguished. The temperate zone is characterized by negative temperatures.

The circulation of heat, moisture and the general circulation of the atmosphere shape the weather and climate in geographical envelope. Types of air masses, features of their circulation in different latitudes create the conditions for the formation of the Earth's climates. The dominance of one air mass during the year determines the boundaries of climatic zones.

Climatic zones - these are territories that are continuous or broken stripe encircle the earth; they differ from each other in temperature, atmospheric pressure, amount and mode of precipitation, prevailing air masses and winds. The symmetrical placement of climatic zones relative to the equator is a manifestation of the law of geographical zoning. Allocate the main and transitional climatic zones. The names of the main climatic zones are given according to the prevailing air masses and the latitudes in which they are formed.

There are 13 climatic zones: seven main and six transitional. The boundaries of each belt are determined by the summer and winter positions of the climatic fronts.

There are seven main climatic zones: equatorial, two tropical, two temperate and two polar (Arctic and Antarctic). In each of the climatic zones, one air mass dominates throughout the year - respectively equatorial, tropical, temperate, arctic (antarctic).

Between the main belts in each hemisphere, transitional climatic zones are formed: two subequatorial, two subtropical and two subpolar (subarctic and subantarctic). AT transitional belts going on seasonal change air masses. They come from neighboring main belts: in summer, the air mass of the southern main belt, and in winter, the northern one. The proximity of the oceans, warm and cold currents, and relief affect climatic differences within the belts: climatic regions with different types of climate are distinguished.

Characteristics of climatic zones

The equatorial belt was formed in the region of the equator by a discontinuous strip, where equatorial air masses predominate. Average monthly temperatures are from +26 to +28 C. Precipitation is 1500-3000 mm evenly throughout the year. The equatorial belt is the most humid part of the earth's surface (the Congo river basin, the coast of the Gulf of Guinea of Africa, the Amazon river basin in South America, the Sunda Islands).

There are continental and oceanic types of climate, but the difference between them is small.

The subequatorial belts encircling the equatorial belt from the north and south are characterized by monsoon air circulation. A feature of the belts is the seasonal change of air masses. Equatorial air dominates in summer, tropical air dominates in winter. There are two seasons: summer wet and winter dry. In summer, the climate differs slightly from the equatorial one: high humidity, abundance precipitation. AT winter season hot dry weather sets in, grasses burn out, trees shed their leaves. average temperature air in all months ranges from +20 to +30 °C. The annual rainfall is 1000-2000 mm, with maximum precipitation in summer.

Tropical zones are between 20 and 30 s. and yu. sh. on both sides of the tropics, where trade winds prevail. (Remember why in tropical latitudes the air sinks and prevails high pressure.) Tropical air masses with high temperatures dominate here throughout the year. The average temperature of the warmest month is +30 ... +35 C, the coldest month is not lower than +10 C. In the center of the continents, the climate is tropical continental (desert). Cloudiness is negligible, precipitation in most parts is less than 250 mm per year. A small amount of precipitation causes the formation of the greatest deserts in the world - the Sahara and Kalahari in Africa, the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Australia. AT eastern parts continents, which are influenced by warm currents and trade winds blowing from the ocean, intensified by monsoons in the summer season, a tropical humid climate. The average monthly temperature in summer is +26 C, in winter +22 C. The average annual rainfall is 1500 mm.

Subtropical belts (25-40 N and S) are formed under the influence of tropical air masses in summer and moderate air masses in winter. The western parts of the continents have a Mediterranean climate: summers are dry, hot, the average temperature of the warmest month is +30 C, and winters are humid and warm (up to +5 ... +10 C), but short-term frosts are possible. On the eastern coasts of the continents, a subtropical monsoon climate with hot (+25 C) rainy summers and cool (+8 C) dry winters. The amount of precipitation is 1000-1500 mm. Snow rarely falls.

In the central parts of the continents, the climate is subtropical continental, with hot (+30 C) and dry summers and relatively cold winter(+6…+8 С) with low rainfall (300 mm). The subtropical humid climate is characterized by a more uniform course of temperatures and precipitation. In summer +20 C, in winter +12 C, precipitation is 800-1000 mm. (Determine by climate map differences in climates of subtropical zones.)

The temperate belts extend into temperate latitudes from 40 s. and yu. sh. almost to the polar circles. Moderate air masses dominate here throughout the year, but arctic and tropical air masses can penetrate. In the Northern Hemisphere, in the west of the continents, westerly winds and cyclonic activity prevail; in the east - monsoons. With advancement inland, the annual amplitude of air temperature increases (the coldest month - from +4 ... +6 °С to -48 °С, and the warmest - from +12 °С to +30 °С).

The climate in the Southern Hemisphere is mostly oceanic. There are 5 types of climate in the Northern Hemisphere: maritime, temperate continental, continental, sharply continental, monsoon.

The maritime climate is formed under the influence of westerly winds blowing from the ocean (Northern and Central Europe, western North America, Patagonian Andes of South America). In summer the temperature is about +15…+17 °С, in winter - +5 °С. Precipitation falls throughout the year and reaches 1000-2000 mm per year. In the southern hemisphere, in the temperate zone, an oceanic climate dominates with cool summers, mild winters, heavy rainfall, westerly winds, unstable weather ("roaring" fortieth latitudes).

The continental climate is characteristic of the interior regions of large continents. In Eurasia, a temperate continental, continental, sharply continental climate is formed, in North America - temperate continental and continental. On average, the temperature in July varies from +10 °С in the north to +24 °С in the south. In a temperate continental climate, the January temperature drops from west to east from -5° to -10°C, in a sharply continental climate - to -35 ... -40°C, and in Yakutia below -40°C. The annual amount of precipitation in the temperate continental climate is about 500-600 mm, in the sharply continental climate - about 300-400 mm. In winter, moving eastward, the duration of stable snow cover increases from 4 to 9 months, and the annual temperature amplitude also increases.

The monsoon climate is best expressed in Eurasia. In summer, a stable monsoon from the ocean prevails, the temperature is +18 ... +22 °С, in winter - -25 °С. In late summer - early autumn, typhoons from the sea are frequent with gusty winds and heavy rainfall. Winters are relatively dry as the winter monsoon blows in from the land. Precipitation in the form of rains prevails in summer (800-1200 mm).

The subpolar belts (subarctic and subantarctic) are located north and south of the temperate zone. They are characterized by a change in air masses by season: moderate air masses dominate in summer, arctic (antarctic) in winter. The continental subarctic climate is characteristic of the northern outskirts of North America and Eurasia. Summer is relatively warm (+5…+10 °С), short. Winter is severe (up to -55 °С). Here is the pole of cold in Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk (-71 °C).

A small amount of precipitation - 200 mm. common permafrost, excessive moisture, large areas are swampy. The oceanic climate in the Northern Hemisphere is formed in the Greenland and Norwegian Seas, in the Southern Hemisphere - around Antarctica. Cyclonic activity is developed throughout the year. Cool summer (+3…+5 °С), floating sea and continental ice, relatively mild winter (-10 ... -15 ° С). Winter precipitation - up to 500 mm, fogs are constant.

The polar belts (Arctic and Antarctic) are located around the poles. continental climate prevails in Antarctica, in Greenland, on the islands of the Canadian Arctic archipelago. Freezing temperatures throughout the year.

The oceanic climate is observed mainly in the Arctic. The temperatures here are negative, but during the polar day they can reach +2 °C. Precipitation - 100-150 mm (Fig. 16).

Climatic zones differ from each other in air temperature, atmospheric pressure, air masses and precipitation. The climate of the temperate zone from west to east changes from maritime to temperate continental, continental, sharply continental, monsoon.

The climate is decisive for geographical location natural zones. Where dry and hot deserts form, where it rains all year round and the sun shines - lush vegetation equatorial forests. But, in one climatic zone there may be boundaries of several natural zones.

Climatic zones and natural zones

Let's look at the table first.

Table "Natural zones of climatic zones"

Features of the climate of the natural zones of the world

equatorial forests

All year round it is very hot and there are tropical rains. The average temperature in winter is +15°, in summer about 30°. More than 2000 mm of precipitation falls annually. There is no clear distribution for the seasons, all months are warm and humid.

Savannah

Winter is tropical, summer is equatorial. Two periods are pronounced: droughts in winter and rainy season in summer. About 500 mm of precipitation falls annually. The average temperature in winter is +10°, in summer about 26°.

desert

Arid climate, a bright change in temperature is observed throughout the day. In winter, it can even be below zero at night. In summer, the sun warms dry air by 40-45°C.

Rice. 2. Freezing in the desert

Steppes and forest-steppes

Winter is moderate, summer is dry. Even during the warm period of the year, the air temperature can drop to minus at night. Precipitation falls mainly in winter - up to 500 mm per year. feature steppe zone are cold penetrating winds blowing from the north.

Deciduous and mixed forests

Characterized by pronounced winters (with snow) and hot summers. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

Rice. 3. Winter in the deciduous forest

Taiga

It is characterized by cold dry winters, but hot summers that last 4-5 months. Precipitation falls approximately 1000 mm. in year. The average temperature in January is 25°, in summer +16°.

Tundra and forest tundra

The climate is harsh. Winter is long, cold, dry, about 9 months. Summer is short. Arctic winds often blow.

Arctic and Antarctic deserts

Eternal winter zone. Summer is very short and cold.

Total ratings received: 120.

Characteristics of climatic zones (table)
There are 7 types of climate zones on the planet. They are divided into two types: permanent (basic) and transitional.
Permanent climatic zones- belts where a single air mass dominates during the year.
transitional- are written with the prefix "sub", they are replaced during the year by two air masses: in summer more hot (the one closer to the equator), in winter - colder (the one closer to the pole). In December-February, airthe masses are shifted to the south, and in June-August - to the north of the planet.
Name of climatic zones: 1) Equatorial climate zone-type of: permanent-main - location: located on both sides of the equator from 5°-8° northern latitude to 4°-11° south latitude, between subequatorial belts.-description: The predominance of equatorial air masses throughout the year. Constantly high temperatures(on the plains 24° - 28°C). Weak unstable winds. Characterized by the presence of a bandlow pressure with a constant influx of trade winds into it and a tendency to general upward movements of air andrapid transformation of tropical air into humid equatorial air. Abundant rainfall throughout the year.Constantly hot and humid equatorial climate, due to the large influx of solar radiation.
2) Tropical climate zone-type of: permanent-primary -location: The belt is located in tropical latitudes. One can clearly distinguish the northern and southern tropical belts of the Earth. - description: in the tropical zone, only one dominates all year round - the tropical air mass. She, in her turn, forms a zone of constantly increased pressure over the climatic zone with clear weather throughoutof the year. Thus, the weather in the tropics depends entirely on the height of the sun above the horizon. AT summer months, whenthe sun rises to its zenith, the temperature in the tropics rises above + 30 ° C. In winter, when the sun is abovethe horizon is no longer so high, the temperature in the tropics drops, and on cold winter nights it can even drop tonegative temperatures. Sharp changes from heat to cold during the day and all year, as well as a low amountrainfall led to the formation of a natural zone of deserts and semi-deserts in the tropical climate zone withvery poor flora and fauna.
3) Temperate climate zone-type of: permanent-primary- location: It is located between 40 and 60 latitudes, borders on the subtropical and subarctic (in the southern hemisphere - subantarctic) climatic zones.-description: There is a northern and southern temperate zone on the planet, however, in the Southern Hemisphere it is practically not affects the continents. since the temperature of a moderate air mass varies with the seasons of the year, in a moderateclimate zone there is a clear change. All seasons are clearly expressed: snowy winter is replaced by spring, it is replacedhot summer comes, and autumn comes again. Temperature differences in the temperate zone are very significant. Actuallythe border with the subtropics practically coincides with the winter isotherm of 0°C. In the temperate zone, there are negativetemperature. Over a large area of the belt in winter time snow cover is established.
4) Arctic (Antarctic) climate zone-type of: permanent-primary -location: Belt occupies polar regions Earth. The belt occupies the largest area in Antarctica, spreading almost the entire continent. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is located in the very north of Eurasia and North America, including inyourself to Baffin Land, Greenland, the Taimyr Peninsula, New Earth, Svalbard, Islands Of The Arctic Ocean.-description: The only arctic (in the southern hemisphere - antarctic) air dominates here all year round. weight. Almost the entire year in the Arcticclimate zone, the air temperature does not rise above0°C, and with further removal to the poles, it always remains negative. Especially severe winters are observed inAntarctica. There is very little precipitation. Belt busy natural area Arctic and Antarctic deserts. Bigpart of it is covered by a multi-kilometer shell of sheet glaciers. So much low temperatures these areasare explained by the fact that the sun never rises high above the horizon in subpolar latitudes, its rays "glide"on the surface of the earth and do not warm it up even in the conditions of a polar day, when the polar night comes (and onat the poles, they last for half a year) the surface of the planet does not receive heat from the sun at all and cools down to -70 -80 ° C.