Ch. 2 Climate zones (section 4)

Arid climate

A Arid climate is one that receives less than 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rainfall in an entire year. Deserts are areas that are arid.

Mediterranean climate

A Mediterranean climate is distinguished by warm, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Mediterranean climate is very mild (few extreme temperatures), so it really only has 2 seasons: summer and winter. Summers are longer than winter, and the winter is very mild. Very few places experience snow in a Mediterranean climate. The seasonal changes are due to changes in ocean currents and water temperature.

humid subtropical

A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot, usually humid/rainy summers and mild winters. Usually there is more rain in summer than winter, but not always.

Ice cap climate

An ice cap climate is a is a polar climate where the temperature never or almost never exceeds 0 °C (32 °F).

Humid continental climate

Humid Continental climate is one of the few climates with 4 different seasons. Warm and humid summer, cool and dry autumn (fall), cold and harsh winter, and a warm and wet spring makes living in Humid Continental a unique experience of weather that will keep you guessing. Welcome to Iowa!

Marine west coast climate

Marine West Coast is usually located along the west coast of mid-latitude continents. The range of temperatures is fairly small compared to other climate types--this means the temperatures don't have major differences during different seasons. For this reason, Marine West Coast really has on 2 seasons: summer and winter.

Tropical wet climate

Seasons don't change in Tropical Wet, so there is only 1 season. Temperatures stay the same throughout most of the year because these areas are found along the equator and receive constant direct sunlight. Tropical Wet gets it name from the regular rainfall it receives throughout the year. It sometimes rains every day--usually in the morning or early afternoon. The reason it rains so much here is because of the regular warm temperatures, which evaporate water and keep the humidity high.

Semiarid climate

Semiarid climate is always found on the outer edge of Arid climate areas. They can be cold or warm areas. Think of Semiarid as a transition climate between dry and wetter places.

Tropical Wet and Dry climate

There are only 2 seasons: wet season (summer) and dry season (winter). Usually the dry season is longer. During the dry seasons plant life and animal life suffers, but as the rainy season begins life flourishes in this area. This climate is caused by changing wind and ocean currents.

Highlands climate

This climate is found in high mountain areas. It is found on single mountains and also large areas of high elevation such as large plateaus. The temperature gets colder as you go up. The rainfall changes to snow as you go up also.

Subarctic climate

This is a climate characterised by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers.

Tundra climate

Tundras are among Earth's coldest, harshest biomes. Tundra ecosystems are treeless regions found in the Arctic where the climate is cold and windy and rainfall is low.