Characteristics of climatic zones: table, names, description

The characteristics of the climatic zones (the table is given below) is the topic of this article. We will tell you about what types of climate exist on our planet, and also we will consider each of them in detail. To this end, we recall that the climate is called the weather regime established by years, which depends on the specific territory, its geographical location.

Equatorial belt

This climate zone is characterized by low pressure, as well as the year-round presence of air masses. Inside the belt there are no separate climatic regions. As for the temperature regime, it's hot here. For a year there is a lot of precipitation, humidification in abundance. The weather here is changing very dramatically throughout the day. The first half is sultry, and the second begins with heavy rains.

The names of climatic zones are related to their peculiarities. The equatorial belt is located near the equator, so it has this name.

The subequatorial belt is characterized by a change in air masses, which occurs seasonally. In the summer, equatorial air masses predominate, and in winter more tropical. Weather conditions in summer fully correspond to the equatorial type of climate, while the weather in winter resembles the conditions of the tropical belt. Winter is dry and slightly colder than summer.

Tropical Belt

As we already know, the names of the climatic zones are related to their location. This type of climate is characterized by tropical air masses all year round. The air is continental. The real weather of the tropical belt is high pressure and temperature, a big temperature difference not only during the year, but also during the day. Water in this climate is very scarce. It is very hot and dry, dust storms and dry winds often occur. There is almost no rain. The weather is usually dry and sunny.

However, the tropical belt is deceptive. The eastern shores of the continents, which are washed by warm currents, are also in this belt, but have a different climate. The air is marine tropical, abundant precipitation, monsoon. Climatic conditions are similar to the equatorial climate.

The subtraction of air masses is characteristic of subtropical belts . In summer, the tropical climate prevails, in the winter - temperate. Pressure surges in summer and winter are quite high. In winter, the pressure is low, and in summer - high. Despite the strong difference in temperature and precipitation throughout the year, on the thermometer the whole year is above zero. Sometimes the temperature can drop even to negative values. In such periods, snow falls. On flat terrains, it melts quickly, but in the mountains it can be several months. As for the winds, in winter the west winds rule, and in the summer - the trade winds.

Temperate zone

The temperature of the climatic zones largely depends on the air masses that prevail over the territory. In the temperate zone, as is clear from the name, a temperate climate. But not always. Sometimes tropical or arctic air masses invade. Moderate climate is characterized by a large temperature difference. Summers are hot, and the winters are frosty and long. Relatively low pressure, cyclone, unstable weather conditions in winter. Throughout the year, western winds blow, summer sometimes trade winds, and in the winter - north-east winds. Every winter a massive snow cover.

Arctic and Antarctic belts

In the characteristics of climatic zones in the table, one can see which temperatures prevail in these belts. Features of these belts in low temperatures all year, strong winds and cold summer. Precipitation is very small.

Subarctic and subantarctic belt

These belts are distinguished by the fact that in summer the temperate climate prevails here. Because of this, a large amplitude of temperature oscillations arises. There are a lot of permafrost in these belts. In winter, north-east and south-east winds predominate, and in the west - western winds. Belts have 2 climatic regions, they are lower.

Territory of climatic zones

Each belt is characteristic of a certain territory. Natural and climatic belts have formed on the planet for a long time, so you can definitely identify certain areas in which the climate of the belt is pronounced.

Equatorial climate is typical for Oceania, South America and Africa. Subequatorial climate is typical for North Australia and South-East Asia. The central part of Australia and North Africa is a tropical belt. Subtropics are characteristic of the interior regions of the continents. A moderate climate dominates the western part and the eastern outskirts of Eurasia. The subarctic climatic zone prevails in North America and the northern part of Eurasia. The Arctic and Antarctic belts are typical for Australia and the Arctic Ocean.

Table of climatic zones

The table shows the characteristics of the zones.

Climatic areas of belts

The subtropical belts have three climatic regions:

1. Mediterranean climate. It predominates in the northern hemisphere, on the southern and western shores of the continents. In summer, there is a continental climate, and in winter - continental and sea air masses. The summer is arid and warm, and the winter is relatively cool, humid. Humidification is inadequate.
2. Monsoon climate. Distributed on the eastern shores of the continents. Summer monsoons cause intense heat and a lot of precipitation, and winter monsoons - cool and dry. Humidification in this area is moderate. Precipitation is characteristic for the winter season.
3. The sea climate. Distributed on the continents of the southern hemisphere. Characteristic of marine air masses. Summer and winter are warm. Moisture is sufficient, it is distributed evenly throughout the year.

The moderate belt consists of 5 climatic regions:

1. Moderate sea climate. It predominates on the western shores of the continents. The weather is formed under the influence of warm currents and western winds. Winter is quite mild, and summer is warm. A lot of precipitation a year. Winter is characterized by abundant and frequent snowfalls. Moisture is more than enough. The geography of the climate belt contributes to weather instability.
2. The continental temperate climate. Characterized by warm summer and cold winter. Arctic air masses sometimes provoke a sharp cooling, and tropical air masses - warming. Precipitation is small, they are uniform (cyclonal and frontal).
3. The continental climate. It extends only to the northern hemisphere. Throughout the year, moderate air masses prevail here. Sometimes arctic air masses appear (in this area, their invasion is possible in the summer). In the warm season, there are more precipitation, but in general they are insignificant. A small amount of snow and a predominance of low temperatures contribute to the existence of permafrost.
4. Sharply continental climate. Characteristic for the internal regions of North America and Eurasia. The territory is practically isolated from the influence of the seas and oceans and is in the center of high pressure. Sometimes the summer is hot, the winter is always frosty. A lot of permafrost. Weather type - anticyclone. Precipitation is small, little moisture.
5. Monsoon climate. Distributed on the eastern side of the continents. Characterized by seasonality of air masses. Summer is wet and warm, and the winter is dry and cool. Summer precipitation is more numerous, excessive moisture.

The subarctic and subantarctic belts have two areas:

• Continental climate (severe but short winter, little precipitation, swampy territory);
• Oceanic climate (fogs, a lot of precipitation, mild winters and cool summers).

The characteristics of the climatic zones in the table do not include two areas of the Arctic and Antarctic belts:

• The continental Arctic climate (little precipitation, the whole year below zero temperature);
• Oceanic climate (cyclones, little precipitation, negative temperatures).

The temperature in the oceanic climate can rise to +5 during the polar day.

Summarizing, let's say that the characteristic of the climatic zones (in the table) is necessary for every educated person.