Climatic zones of the earth. Temperate zone - winds, land, temperature, precipitation

The air temperature here is constant (+24° -26°C); at sea, temperature fluctuations can be less than 1°. The annual amount of precipitation is up to 3000 mm, and in the mountains of the equatorial belt, precipitation can fall up to 6000 mm. More water falls from the sky than evaporates, so there are many wetlands and dense rain forests - jungles. Remember the adventure films about Indiana Jones - how difficult it is for the main characters to make their way through the dense vegetation of the jungle and escape from the crocodiles who adore muddy waters small forest streams. All this is the equatorial belt. Its climate is greatly influenced by the trade winds, which bring heavy rainfall from the ocean.

Northern: Africa (Sahara), Asia (Arabia, southern Iranian Plateau), North America (Mexico, Western Cuba).

Southern: South America (Peru, Bolivia, Northern Chile, Paraguay), Africa (Angola, Kalahari Desert), Australia (central part of the continent).

In the tropics, the state of the atmosphere over the continent (earth) and the ocean is different, therefore continental tropical climate and oceanic tropical climate.

The oceanic climate is similar to the equatorial climate, but differs from it in less cloudiness and stable winds. Summer over the oceans is warm (+20-27°C), and winter is cool (+10-15°C).

Over the land-tropics (mainland tropical climate) region is dominated by high pressure, so rain is a rare guest here (from 100 to 250 mm). This type of climate is characterized by very hot summers (up to +40°C) and cool winters (+15°C). The air temperature can change dramatically during the day - up to 40°C! That is, a person can languish from the heat during the day and shiver from the cold at night. Such changes lead to destruction rocks, creating a mass of sand and dust, which is why dust storms are frequent here.

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This type of climate, just like the tropical one, forms two zones in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, which form over the territories temperate latitudes(from 40-45° North and South latitude to the Arctic Circle).

There are many cyclones in the temperate zone, causing the weather to become capricious and produce either snow or rain. In addition, westerly winds blow here, which all year round bring precipitation. Summers in this climate zone are warm (up to +25°-28°C), winters are cold (from +4°C to -50°C). Annual precipitation ranges from 1000 mm to 3000 mm, and in the center of the continents it is only up to 100 mm.

In the temperate climate zone, unlike the equatorial and tropical ones, the seasons are clearly defined (that is, you can build snowmen in winter and swim in a river in summer).

Temperate climate is also divided into two subtypes - marine and continental.

Marine dominates western parts North America, South America and Eurasia. It is formed by westerly winds blowing from the ocean to the mainland, so summers here are quite cool (+15 -20°C) and warm winter(from +5°C). Precipitation brought by westerly winds falls all year round (from 500 to 1000 mm, in the mountains up to 6000 mm).

Continental predominates in central regions continents. Cyclones penetrate here less frequently, so it is warmer and dry summer(up to +26°С) and more cold winter(down to -24°C), and the snow lasts a very long time and melts reluctantly.

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Polar belt

It dominates the territory above 65°-70° latitude in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, therefore it forms two zones: Arctic and Antarctic. U Polar belt There is unique feature- The sun here does not appear at all for several months (polar night) and does not go below the horizon for several months (polar day). Snow and ice reflect more heat than they receive, so the air is very cool and snow does not melt for most of the year. Since a high pressure area is forming here, there are almost no clouds, the winds are weak, and the air is saturated with small ice needles. The average summer temperature does not exceed 0°C, and in winter it ranges from -20° to -40°C. Rain falls only in the summer in the form of tiny droplets - drizzle.

Between the main climatic zones there are transitional zones, which have the prefix “sub” in their names (translated from Latin as “under”). Here air masses change with the seasons, coming from neighboring belts under the influence of the Earth's rotation.

A) Subequatorial climate . Everything in summer climatic zones shift to the north, so equatorial air masses begin to dominate here. They shape the weather: a lot of precipitation (1000-3000 mm), average temperature air +30°C. Even in the spring the sun reaches its zenith and burns mercilessly. In winter, all climatic zones shift to the south, and tropical air masses begin to dominate in the subequatorial zone; winter is cooler than summer (+14°C). There is little precipitation. The soils dry out after summer rains, so in the subequatorial zone, unlike the equatorial zone, there are few swamps. The territory of this climatic zone is favorable for human life, which is why many centers of civilization are located here.

The subequatorial climate forms two zones. The northern ones include: the Isthmus of Panama ( Latin America), Venezuela, Guinea, the Sahel desert belt in Africa, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, all of Indochina, South China, part of Asia. TO southern zone include: the Amazonian lowland, Brazil (South America), central and eastern Africa and the northern coast of Australia.

b) Subtropical climate. Here tropical air masses predominate in summer, and in winter - air masses of temperate latitudes, which determines the weather: hot, dry summers (from +30°C to +50°C) and relatively cold winters with precipitation, and no stable snow cover is formed.

c) Subpolar climate. This climate zone is located only on the northern edges of Eurasia and North America. In summer, humid air masses come here from temperate latitudes, so summers here are cool (from +5°C to +10°C) Despite small quantity precipitation, evaporation is low, since the angle of incidence sun rays is small and the earth does not warm up well. Therefore, in the subpolar climate in northern Eurasia and North America there are many lakes and swamps. In winter, cold arctic air masses come here, so winters are long and cold, temperatures can drop to -50°C.

On Earth, depending on the prevailing type of climate, the following climate zones are distinguished: two polar (Arctic and Antarctic), two temperate, two tropical, one equatorial and transitional - two subequatorial, two subtropical, two subpolar.

Equatorial belt extends to the basins of the Amazon and Congo rivers, the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, and the Sunda Islands. The sun occupies a high position all year round, due to which the earth's surface heats up greatly. Average annual temperatures in this climate zone temperatures range from 25 to 28 °C. Moreover, this area is characterized by high humidity (70-90%). Annual precipitation is usually more than 2000 mm, and it is evenly distributed throughout the year. Thanks to the constant hot weather and high humidity, the preconditions are created for the development of lush vegetation - the equatorial jungle.

Subequatorial belts cover a vast territory, in particular Central Africa north and east of the Congo River basin, the Brazilian Highlands in South America, the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, Northern Australia. Characteristic feature climate of a given zone is the change in types of air masses during the seasons: in summer period the entire territory is covered by equatorial masses, and in winter by tropical ones. Accordingly, two seasons are distinguished: summer wet and winter tropical. Most of the belt's territory is covered by open forests and savannas.

Tropical zone located on both sides of the tropics on sea and land. Tropical air masses prevail here all year round. In the presence of high atmospheric pressure and little cloudiness it is characterized by high temperatures. The average monthly temperature of the hottest month is more than 30 °C. There is very little precipitation here (less than 200 mm). It is in this belt that the most extensive deserts in the world are located - the Sahara, the desert of the Arabian Peninsula, and Western Australia.

Subtropical zone passes between 25° and 40° north and south latitude. The climate here is characterized by changing types of air masses according to the seasons of the year. Thus, tropical air dominates in summer, and air masses of temperate latitudes dominate in winter. This belt is further divided into three climatic regions: western, eastern and central. Summer in the western region is characterized by clear and dry weather, while winter is warm and humid. This is the so-called Mediterranean climate. In the central and eastern regions the climate is slightly different.

Temperate zone extends north and south from the subtropical and reaches the polar circles. In the Southern Hemisphere it is characterized by an oceanic climate; in the Northern Hemisphere it is divided into three climatic regions: western, central and eastern. IN western region and the Southern Hemisphere is dominated by humid sea air. Annual temperature ranges are small. The distribution of precipitation throughout the year is uniform. A decrease in temperature in winter is observed due to the movement of Arctic (Antarctic) air masses. The eastern region has a monsoon climate. Continental air masses of temperate latitudes accumulate in the central region and are characterized by sharp temperature changes throughout the year. The transitional subarctic and subantarctic zones extend north of the temperate zones of the two hemispheres. They are characterized by changes in air masses in accordance with the changing seasons of the year. Summer is short and cold, winter is long, snowy, with frosts and snowstorms. The Arctic and Antarctic belts lie in the polar regions. The climate here is formed at high atmospheric pressure by cold air masses. Characteristic feature These zones include polar nights and days lasting up to six months. The ice sheet does not melt and covers Antarctica and Greenland.

Related materials:

By Earth climate classifications, developed B. P. Alisov, the largest units are climatic zones. They are distinguished by the dominance of certain types air masses, and the boundaries are drawn according to the position of the main climate fronts. The equatorial belt is dominated by equatorial air masses(EV), in two tropical zones - tropical air masses(TV), in two moderate - moderate air masses(HC), in two cold zones - Arctic and Antarctic - Arctic air masses(AB). Between them are transition belts , in which air masses change seasonally. IN subequatorial belts In summer, equatorial air masses (EA) dominate, and in winter, tropical air masses (TV). In subtropical zones, tropical (summer) and temperate (winter) air masses alternate. In the subarctic zone, temperate air masses are replaced by Arctic ones, and in the subantarctic zone - respectively, by Antarctic ones.

Within the belts, according to the degree of continentality, they are distinguished climatic regions(two or four) with different types of climates:
continental and oceanic climate types(they exist in all zones and are determined primarily by the properties earth's surface- land or ocean); climate types western and eastern coasts of continents(in tropical, subtropical, temperate zones) are associated with unequal atmospheric circulation conditions and sea currents (see map).

Equatorial belt - zone low pressure, rising air currents, weak winds. Temperatures are high all year round (about +28 °C), air humidity is high. There is a lot of precipitation - about 2000 mm. Seasonal variations average monthly temperatures and precipitation is insignificant.

Subequatorial belts There is a seasonal change in air masses: the summer monsoon brings hot and humid equatorial air, while dry continental tropical air dominates in winter. This type of climate with wet summers and dry winters is called monsoon climate.

Tropical zones characterized by an arid (dry) climate, they have the greatest deserts in the world: Sahara, Arabian, Australian.

The western coasts are washed by cold currents and marine tropical air masses predominate throughout the year. But despite the high air humidity, there is practically no precipitation; fog and dew are abundant at night. The air temperature ranges from +20 °C in summer to +15 °C in winter. Cold coastal deserts are located here (Atacama, Namib). Along the eastern coasts flow warm currents, and winds from the sea bring quite a lot of precipitation (up to 1000 mm). There is especially a lot of precipitation in summer. It is hot in summer (+25...+28 °c) in summer, warm in winter - about +20 °c. In conditions of high temperatures and excessive moisture, evergreens grow here tropical forests. In the above climatic zones, which lie mainly within the hot thermal zone The main reasons for seasonal changes and distribution of vegetation are the regime (duration of dry and wet periods) and the amount of precipitation (not temperature, as in temperate latitudes). Therefore, the strike of landscape zones, sometimes latitudinal, sometimes meridional, is also subject to moisture conditions.

In subtropical zones air masses change from tropical in summer to temperate in winter, and temperatures are above zero throughout the year. However, short-term temperature drops to negative values and even snowfall. On the plains the snow melts quickly, but in the mountains it can remain for several months. In inland areas the climate is arid, with hot (about +30 °C) dry summers, cool (0...+5 °C), relatively wet (200-250 mm) winters. Changes in air masses and frequent passage atmospheric fronts detects unstable weather. Due to insufficient moisture, landscapes of deserts, semi-deserts, and dry steppes predominate here. A special sharply continental climate with cool summers, harsh winter and insignificant precipitation, the largest and highest (4-5 km) highland of the world, Tibet, with high-mountain deserts stands out.

Climate of the western coasts of the continents , most typical for Southern Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, is called Mediterranean, but it also covers other continents. It has relatively hot (more than +20 °C) dry summers, mild (about +10 °C) wet (500-700 mm) winters, and is dominated by evergreen hard-leaved forests and shrubs.

On the eastern coasts(this is especially pronounced in Eurasia) in summer, marine tropical air masses from the ocean predominate, which determines hot (+25 °C) and humid weather. In winter, these areas are at the mercy of dry and cool (0...+5 °C) currents from the Asian baric maximum - continental polar air masses. In total, about 1000 mm of precipitation falls, which is sufficient for the development of variable-moist deciduous and mixed forests.

In temperate zones Moderate air masses dominate throughout the year, but invasions of both tropical (especially in summer) and arctic air masses (usually in winter) are possible. In addition, on the fronts between TV and SW, SW and AB, and between maritime polar and continental polar air masses, intense cyclonic activity And weather conditions extremely changeable, especially in winter. In temperate zones, westerly transport of air masses dominates. In the Southern Hemisphere, strong, sustained westerly winds and frequent storms are common, giving these areas the name “Roaring Forties.” The radiation balance in summer is positive due to the fairly high altitude of the Sun and the significant length of the day. In winter, the Sun rises low above the horizon, daylight hours do not last long, and a significant portion of the sun's rays are reflected from the mostly snowy surface - therefore, the radiation balance in winter is negative. In the Southern Hemisphere, where there are no large continents, and only a narrow part of South America, the island of Tasmania and the southern island of New Zealand enter the temperate zone, the climate is mild oceanic with warm winter and cool summers, uniformly heavy (about 1000 mm) precipitation. And only in Patagonia the climate is transitional to continental, and the moisture is insufficient.

In the Northern Hemisphere, on the contrary, vast land masses dominate and a whole spectrum of climates differing in the degree of continentality is developed. From west to east - from temperate to sharply continental climates - daily and seasonal temperature amplitudes increase, and annual precipitation decreases from 700-600 mm to 300 mm and even to 200-100 mm in the Middle and Central Asia. In summer there is more precipitation than in winter, and this difference is more significant in the center of the continents, especially in Eastern Siberia, due to a very dry anticyclonic winter.

In the temperate zone, the northern part is distinguished with cool summers and relatively harsh winters and southern part with warm summers and relatively mild winters.. July temperatures vary from -4...-10 °C to +12 °C in the north and up to +30 °C in the south, January temperatures from -5 °C in the west to -25. ..-30 °C in the center of the continents, in Yakutia even below -40 °C. Low winter temperatures soil and air and a small amount of snow support the existence of permafrost. Humidification varies from excessive in the north to severely insufficient in the south. Such conditions determined a wide range of landscape zones from taiga to deserts through mixed and broad-leaved forests, forest-steppe (humidity coefficient 1), steppes, and semi-deserts.

On the western coasts of the continents under the influence of marine polar air (MPA), formed above warm currents and brought by the prevailing westerly winds, sea temperate climate with cool summers (+10 °C in the north, +17 °C in the south) and mild winters (0 to +5 °C). In winter in the north, temperatures drop to negative values ​​and snowfalls are common. There is a lot of precipitation - 800-1000 mm, in front of the mountains 2000 mm (southwest Scandinavia), 3000 mm (western slopes of the Cordillera), 5000 mm (western slopes of the Andes). Precipitation is frontal and orographic. Excessive moisture. Coniferous and broad-leaved forests grow.

Well expressed in Primorsky Krai and Northeast China monsoon climate with a change from warm and humid maritime polar air in summer to very cold and dry continental polar air from the Asian and Canadian highs in winter. Accordingly, the temperature is about +20 °C in summer and -Yu...-20 °C in winter. The amount of summer precipitation is 10-20 times greater than winter, and total quantity varies from 500 to 1000 mm depending on the orography: precipitation is greater on the eastern slopes of the mountains. There is excessive moisture, mixed and coniferous forests grow.

Subarctic and subantarctic belts characterized by seasonal changes in air masses: in summer PV, in winter AB. In the north of Eurasia and North America, the climate is continental and sharply continental with cool, damp summers with temperatures less than +10...+12 °C and long, harsh (up to -40...-50 °C) winters with little snow and large annual temperature amplitudes . In the area of ​​Oymyakon there is a pole of cold Northern Hemisphere and the entire planet - (-78 °c). Such conditions help maintain widespread permafrost. There is little precipitation (200-100 mm), however due to low temperatures excessive moisture. The tundra and forest-tundra that dominate here are very swampy.

For maritime climate of the northern and southern coasts characterized by cool (+3...+5 °c) damp summers, relatively mild (-10...-15 °c) winters, floating sea and continental ice, constant fogs with a significant amount of precipitation for such low temperatures (up to 500 mm). Tundra is widespread along the coasts of continents and islands.

In the Arctic (Greenland and the islands of the Canadian archipelago) and Antarctic belts (Antarctica), it predominates continental climate . These are the coldest regions of the Earth - the thermometer does not rise above zero throughout the year, and on the inland Antarctic station"Vostok" recorded an absolute minimum temperature of -89.2 °C (but the "Vostok" station is located at an altitude of 3488 m). Precipitation is less than 100 mm. Here you can hardly see anything other than icy deserts. The Arctic has an oceanic climate. Prevail negative temperatures, however, during the polar day it can warm up to +5 °C. There is also little precipitation; the islands are characterized by tundra.

Climatic zones on our planet are distinguished depending on what type of climate is characteristic of their territory. What climate zones exist, what air masses circulate above them, how the African tropical zone is characterized, read the article.

Air masses

This is troposphere air in large volumes, having approximately the same properties. Air masses spread over vast areas, measured in thousands and millions of square kilometers. They extend upward over a distance of several kilometers, right up to the boundary with the troposphere. Air masses move in a general direction, but within them there are different wind strengths. A mass of air forms above the surface, which is called the underlying surface. Upon contact with her, she acquires characteristic properties: temperature, humidity, degree of dust or transparency. When moving over a surface that has different properties, the air mass is heated or cooled, moistened or dried, as a result of which it acquires the properties of another air mass, that is, it is transformed.

Climate zones

The climate in different parts of our planet is different. It is influenced by the inclination of the sun's rays to the surface of the Earth. This or that climate zone located in a certain climatic zone. What is it? Climatic zones are vast territories encircling the Earth in a strip that can be continuous or intermittent. There are a total of thirteen climate zones in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The boundary of each of them is determined various factors. These include the amount of radiation coming from the sun and the type of air mass that is dominant.

Each latitude band has approximately the same climate. But there are significant differences in temperature, atmospheric pressure, the prevailing winds, the amount of precipitation in different climatic zones. The movement of air masses also changes. Even during the year, different types dominate in the same territory. Stretching horizontally in the west-east direction and replacing each other vertically, starting from the equator to the poles, climatic zones and the Tropical zone, for example, are classified as but there are also transitional ones, which will be discussed later in the article.

Classification of climate zones by type of air masses

Temperature and precipitation are distributed within the belts under the influence of a number of factors: proximity of oceans, topography, warm and cold currents. Therefore, regions are distinguished in climatic zones, each of which is characterized by its own climate. Depending on the type to which the air masses belong, the climatic zones are different:

• The main ones are characterized by the presence of a single type of air mass throughout the year. These include the equatorial, Arctic, Antarctic type of air masses, as well as two temperate and tropical ones.
• Transitional. They are characterized by the simultaneous dominance of two types of air masses. Such climatic zones and the air masses characteristic of them are limited to the main zones. These include: subarctic, subantarctic, as well as two subequatorial and subtropical. Their names are given according to the type of air masses, and “sub” is a prefix to the word, which means that this belt is secondary and located next to the main one.

Transition zones are characterized by changes in air masses depending on the seasons. For example, in winter time the same air masses prevail as in the main belt, adjacent towards the pole, and in summer - towards the equator. Thus, the subequatorial tropical zone is characterized by the dominance of the equatorial air mass in summer, and the dominance of the tropical air mass in winter.

Climate types

What is climate? This is a weather pattern that is characteristic of a particular area and repeats itself over many years. Its manifestation is a natural change in weather that is observed in a given area. Climate is divided into types, which are understood as climate indicators(their constant totality), characteristic of a certain area over a long period of time. These include:

• Solar radiation (its amount).
• Temperature fluctuations.
• The type of air masses that predominate in a given area.
• Precipitation regime and amount.

The equatorial, Arctic and Antarctic climate zones are characterized by only one type of climate, since the air masses are constant throughout the year. In tropical, temperate and variable belts Regions are also identified, each of which has its own type of climate.

It spreads throughout Southern Hemisphere in the form of a continuous strip. Constant baric maxima dominate over the oceans throughout the year. Air masses of the tropical zone are formed in them. It breaks over such territories as Indochina and Hindustan. The gap occurs because tropical air masses do not dominate here throughout the year. In summer, equatorial air penetrates into the Asian minimum, and in winter, moderate air masses invade from its maximum.

Tropical climate

Its main characteristic is the dominance of tropical air masses throughout the year. Moreover, their temperature is always high. At the very warm month the thermometer shows +30 o C or more. There are days when the temperature reaches +50 o C, and the heating of the Earth's surface occurs up to +80 o C. The tropical climate zone is characterized by high blood pressure, as well as downward air currents, as a result of which condensation of water vapor does not occur. For this reason, there is little precipitation, up to 250 mm per year, which leads to the formation of such deserts in Africa, in Arabian Peninsula and Australia, which are considered the greatest in the world, such as the Sahara, Kalahari.

But not everywhere the tropical climate is arid. On the east coast, where trade winds blow from the ocean, precipitation falls in large quantities, 1500 mm per year. These are the territories of the Antilles, east coast Africa and others. The climate is influenced by warm currents that wash the shores of the continents on the eastern side. The western coasts are characterized by a climate called "garua", or "drizzle fog". He has interesting feature: with precipitation 0 mm indicators relative humidity air fluctuate from 85 to 90%. The climate of the western coasts is formed under the influence of constant pressure maxima that remain over the oceans and cold currents that pass along the coasts of the continents.

Tropical Africa

Air masses are characterized by such properties as dryness, dustiness, high temperature, lack of precipitation, the amount of which is less the further from the center of the African continent. Therefore, there are many deserts here, for the formation of which there are all the conditions: the presence of dry air, location far from the ocean and pressure, which is always elevated.

The largest desert on our planet, located in Africa, is the Sahara. There has been no precipitation here for several years in a row, so it is very difficult for a person to survive in the desert. The air masses of the tropical zone are filled with dust, as strong winds, which often blow here, create storms of sand and dust. The result of their “creations” are sand reliefs of various shapes.

The climate of Africa is characterized by sharp temperature changes. During the day it reaches +40 o C and more, and at night it drops to zero and below. In territory located in African tropical zone, the temperature was recorded at +58 o C.

- Types of climates (climatic zones) of Russia.

General characteristics of the Earth's climate zones.

Climatic zones differ from each other:

• degree of heating by the sun;
• peculiarities of atmospheric circulation;
• seasonal changes in air masses.

Climatic zones differ significantly from each other, gradually changing from the equator to the poles. However, climate is influenced not only by the latitude of the Earth, but also by the terrain, proximity to the sea, and altitude.

In Russia and in most countries of the world, the classification of climate zones created by the famous Soviet climatologist is used B.P. Alisov in 1956.

According to this classification on globe There are four main climatic zones of the Earth and three transitional ones - with the prefix “sub” (Latin “under”):

• Equatorial (1 belt);
• Subequatorial (2 zones - in the northern and southern hemispheres);
• Tropical (2 zones - in the northern and southern hemispheres);
• Subtropical (2 zones - in the northern and southern hemispheres);
• Moderate (2 zones - in the northern and southern hemispheres);
• Subpolar (2 zones - subantarctic in the south, subarctic in the north);
• Polar (2 zones - Antarctic in the south, Arctic in the north);

Within these climatic zones, four types of Earth's climate are distinguished:

• Continental,
• Oceanic,
• The climate of the western shores,
• Climate of the eastern shores.

Let us consider in more detail the climate zones of the Earth and the types of climates inherent in them.

Climatic zones and types of climates of the Earth:

1. Equatorial climate zone– the air temperature in this climate zone is constant (+24-28°C). At sea, temperature fluctuations can generally be less than 1°. The annual amount of precipitation is significant (up to 3000 mm); on the windward slopes of the mountains, precipitation can fall up to 6000 mm.

2. Subequatorial climate– is located between the equatorial and tropical main types of Earth’s climate. In summer, this zone is dominated by equatorial air masses, and in winter by tropical ones. The amount of precipitation in summer is 1000-3000 mm. Average summer temperature is +30°C. In winter there is little precipitation, the average temperature is +14°C.

Subequatorial and equatorial belt. From left to right: savannah (Tanzania), wet forest(South America)

3. Tropical climate zone. In this type of climate, a distinction is made between continental tropical climate and oceanic tropical climate.

• mainland tropical climate – annual precipitation - 100-250 mm. The average summer temperature is +35-40°C, winter +10-15°C. Daily temperature fluctuations can reach 40 °C.
• oceanic tropical climate - annual precipitation – up to 50 mm. The average summer temperature is +20-27°C, winter +10-15°C.

Tropical zones of the Earth. From left to right: deciduous forest(Costa Rica), veld ( South Africa), desert (Namibia).

4. Subtropical climate– is located between the tropical and temperate main types of Earth’s climate. In summer, tropical air masses dominate, and in winter, air masses of temperate latitudes invade here, carrying precipitation. For subtropical climate characterized by hot, dry summers (from +30 to +50°C) and relatively cold winters with precipitation; no stable snow cover is formed. Annual precipitation is about 500 mm.

• dry subtropical climate - observed inside continents in subtropical latitudes. Summer is hot (up to +50°C) and in winter frosts down to -20°C are possible. Annual precipitation is 120 mm or less.
• Mediterranean climate – observed in the western parts of the continents. Summer is hot, without precipitation. Winter is cool and rainy. The annual precipitation is 450-600 mm.
• subtropical climate of the eastern coasts continents is monsoon. Winter, compared to other climates of the subtropical zone, is cold and dry, and summer is hot (+25°C) and humid (800 mm).

Subtropical zones of the Earth. From left to right: evergreen forest(Abkhazia), prairie (Nebraska), desert (Karakum).

5. Temperate climate zone. It is formed over areas of temperate latitudes - from 40-45° northern and southern latitudes to the polar circles. Annual precipitation ranges from 1000 mm to 3000 mm on the outskirts of the continent and up to 100 mm in the interior. Temperatures in summer range from +10°C to +25-28°C. In winter - from +4°С to -50°С. In this type of climate there are marine type climate, continental and monsoon.

• maritime temperate climate – annual precipitation - from 500 mm to 1000 mm, in the mountains up to 6000 mm. Summers are cool +15-20°C, winters are warm from +5°C.
• continental temperate climate – annual precipitation is about 400 mm. Summers are warm (+17-26°C), and winters are cold (-10-24°C) with stable snow cover for many months.
• monsoon temperate climate - annual precipitation is about 560 mm. Winter is clear and cold (-20-27°C), summer is humid and rainy (-20-23°C).

Natural zones of the Earth's temperate zones. From left to right: taiga (Sayan Mountains), broadleaf forest (Krasnoyarsk region), steppe (Stavropol region), desert (Gobi).

6. Subpolar climate- consists of subarctic and subantarctic climatic zones. In summer, humid air masses come here from temperate latitudes, so summers are cool (from +5 to +10°C) and about 300 mm of precipitation falls (in the northeast of Yakutia 100 mm). In winter, the weather in this climate is influenced by Arctic and Antarctic air masses, so there are long, cold winters, temperatures can reach -50°C.
7. Polar climate type - Arctic and Antarctic climate zones. Forms above 70° north and below 65° south latitudes. The air is very cool, the snow cover does not melt all year. There is very little precipitation, the air is saturated with small ice needles. As they settle, they provide a total of only 100 mm of precipitation per year. The average summer temperature is not higher than 0°C, winter - -20-40°C.

Subpolar climate zones of the Earth. From left to right: arctic desert(Greenland), tundra (Yakutia), forest-tundra (Khibiny).

The characteristics of the Earth's climates are presented more clearly in the table.

Characteristics of the Earth's climatic zones. Table.

Note: Dear visitors, hyphens in long words in the table are placed for the convenience of mobile users - otherwise the words will not be transferred and the table will not fit on the screen. Thanks for understanding!

Climate type	Climate zone	Average temperature, °C			Atmospheric circulation	Territory
		January	July
Equatorial	Equatorial			Within a year. 2000	Warm and humid equatorial air masses form in areas of low atmospheric pressure	Equatorial regions of Africa, South America and Oceania

Climate type	Climate zone	Average temperature, °C		Mode and quantity atmospheric precipitation, mm	Atmospheric circulation	Territory
		January	July
Tropical monsoon	Subequatorial			Mainly during the summer monsoon, 2000		South and Southeast Asia, Western and Central Africa, Northern Australia

Climate type	Climate zone	Average temperature, °C		Mode and amount of precipitation, mm	Atmospheric circulation	Territory
		January	July
Mediterranean	Subtropical			Mainly in winter, 500	In summer - anti-cyclones at high atmospheric pressure; in winter - cyclonic activity	Mediterranean, Southern coast of Crimea, South Africa, Southwestern Australia, Western California

Climate type	Climate zone	Average temperature, °C		Mode and amount of precipitation, mm	Atmospheric circulation	Territory
		January	July
Arctic (Antarctic)	Arctic (Antarctic)			During the year, 100	Anticyclones predominate	Water area of ​​the Northern Arctic Ocean and mainland Antarctica

Types of climates (climatic zones) of Russia:

• Arctic: January t −24…-30, summer t +2…+5. Precipitation - 200-300 mm.
• Subarctic: (up to 60 degrees N). summer t +4…+12. Precipitation is 200-400 mm.
• Moderate continental: January t −4…-20, July t +12…+24. Precipitation 500-800 mm.
• Continental climate: January t −15…-25, July t +15…+26. Precipitation 200-600 mm.