Climate is a regime of weather conditions that has formed in a certain area over a long period of time. And based on these data, scientists have identified climatic zones that occupy certain territories of our planet.

Climate value

The climate of the Earth has repeatedly changed. Drought was replaced by global cooling and vice versa. The climate is affected by a huge number of factors, for example, the movement of the continents, the rotation speed of our planet, the oscillations of the earth's axis.

Climate is the foundation of nature. The flora, fauna and even the nature of the soil depend on it. Climate plays an important role in the formation of rocks, the formation of glaciers, rivers, lakes and seas.

It even affects the relief of the earth’s surface. Without taking into account climatic features, habitual human activity is impossible. The climate also plays a huge role in human health.

Interesting fact: 1816 is considered the coldest year in history for North America and Europe. Throughout the year there was no heat, and it snowed even in summer. Scientists believe that the cause of climate change is a powerful volcanic eruption.

Climate processes

Climate formation in any territory of the Earth occurs due to certain natural processes. One of the most important among them is atmospheric circulation, moisture and heat. Solar radiation acts as a single source of energy for these processes. Despite the unity of energy, these physical processes manifest themselves in different ways.

The processes that make up the climate are connected. For example, heat affects the evaporation of moisture, and as a result precipitation and cloudiness appear. If cloudiness appears, then the radiation effect of the sun is reduced, which leads to a decrease in summer temperature.

In winter, the opposite is true - due to an increase in the effective radiation of the sun and an increase in cloudiness, the temperature rises. Air masses that constantly move above the surface of the Earth transfer heat and moisture.

Climate Factors

In addition to the above processes, certain factors influence the climate. These factors are geographical conditions that affect the uniqueness and timing of the processes that form the climate.

Other factors:

• the mass and size of our planet;
• remoteness from large water bodies;
• sea ​​currents;
• composition of air in the atmosphere and its mass;
• space factors;
• the size of the continents and oceans washing them;
• indented continental coasts;
• human activity;
• height above sea level.

Interesting fact: the climate is constantly changing and this is quite normal. Now the Earth is at a unique climatic stage - most of the changes are caused by human activities. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is greater than in the previous 800,000 years.

Underlying surface

The physical properties of land and water vary and under their influence different climates form - continental and oceanic. Land and water are cooled and heated at different speeds. Water is heated slowly, as it needs to warm up to 200-300 meters.

Accordingly, the water mass cools more slowly than land. All this directly affects the temperature regime, precipitation and humidity. The continental climate is drier and has a greater temperature amplitude.

Land and sea affect climate differently and the closer to the equator, the more noticeable these differences become. The influence of the continental climate on the interior depends on the size of the continent. For example, in Central Asia there is a predominantly sharply continental climate. This is expressed in a large temperature amplitude and a small amount of precipitation.

The vegetation, snow cover, and glaciers have an impact on the climate.A large reflective surface has ice and snow. For example, if our entire planet were covered with glaciers, then the surface temperature would become 100 ℃ lower than normal.

Altitude and Terrain

The formation of the climate is affected by the location of the mountains, as well as the height of the area. The higher, the more solar radiation, however, the heat radiation on the surface also increases. For every kilometer up, the temperature will decrease by 6 ℃, and when it reaches the “snow line”, it will be zero in any season of the year.

During the winter season, temperature inversion occurs in the basins - cold air enters the basin and stagnates there. Here condensation is possible. In the mountains, a high-altitude climatic zone prevails. Mountains are barriers to winds. The slopes, where the wind blows the most, are subject to more rainfall. Near the leeward slopes it is most often dry.

The influence of sea currents on climate

Sea currents well tolerate both heat and cold. Warm currents heat the air, which affects the formation of precipitation and clouds. If the flow is cold, condensation will be difficult.

Based on this, we obtain the climate features of the eastern and western coasts. Cold currents washing the coast make the climate colder and drier, warm - vice versa. For example, the Scandinavian coast in the west is washed by a warm current and until the Arctic Circle the temperature here in the winter is about 0 ℃. There is also a lot of rainfall and taiga is common.

The Labrador Peninsula, which is located at the same latitude, is washed by the cold current and therefore it has cold summers, severe and dry winters. The tundra is widespread.

In the west of the continents, where the tropical climate prevails, and the coast is washed by the cold current, it is dry and the average temperature is about + 20 ℃. Coastal deserts are also common here.

In the east of the continents, on the coast, washed by a warm current, the temperature is about + 28 ℃ with a lot of rainfall and dense evergreen vegetation. The climate would be different if the winds had not affected the currents.

Interesting fact: Scientists use complex climate models to predict weather conditions. Their creation requires the use of a huge amount of data. Such a model allows us to find a connection between various natural processes.

Additional climate characteristics

In climatology, the following concepts are also used:

1. Arid climate. Characteristic of deserts and semi-deserts. Strong temperature fluctuations are observed, both daily and annual. Precipitation is extremely small.
2. Mountain climate. Due to the fact that the altitude rises in the mountains above sea level, the mountain climate differs significantly from the flat one. In different mountain systems, different climatic conditions are observed - each element of the landscape affects their formation. The climate is also distinguished at an altitude of up to 4000 m and above this level.
3. Nival climate. These are the conditions under which massive glaciers form. Precipitation falls much more than they manage to evaporate.
4. Humid climate. Increased humidity. There is too little solar energy in these areas, and there is a lot of rainfall, so moisture evaporates slightly.

Climate classifications

The world uses several climate classification systems proposed by different scientists. Among them, it is necessary to distinguish 3 basic ones:

• Keppen classification;
• Berg's classification;
• Alisov classification.

Vladimir Keppen, a German-Russian climatologist, developed his system in 1900. It is based on the type of vegetation prevailing in a particular area, taking into account the amount of precipitation and temperature conditions. According to Keppen, there are 5 types of climate:

• A - it is hot all year, a lot of precipitation;
• B - minimum precipitation or lack thereof;
• C - temperature conditions in summer and winter are almost the same;
• D - distinct differences between summer and winter, little snow.
• E - average annual temperature up to + 10 ℃, constant snow cover.

According to the classification of Lev Berg, climatic zones coincide with landscape and geographical ones. Berg, therefore, identified 2 main types of climate with several subtypes in each:

1. The climate of the lowlands is ocean and land.
2. The climate of the hills - uplands and plateaus, mountain systems, mountains.

Berg paid most attention to the climate of the lowlands, in which he identified 11 types and named them according to the natural zones: the climate of the tundra, steppes, deserts, etc.

Interesting fact: For the study of climate in the distant past, there is the science of paleoclimatology. Based on studies of fossils, corals, bottom sediments, experts receive information on how the climate has changed over millions of years.

Alisov's climate classification based on atmospheric circulation is used in Russia and the countries of the former USSR. It was according to this system that climatic zones appeared, which should be considered in more detail.

Map of climatic zones of the Earth

In 1936, the Soviet climatologist Boris Alisov proposed his own system for classifying climate types, which was named after the professor. Alisov studied the territorial climate changes around the globe and suggested identifying climatic zones. In one zone, there is a constant effect of certain air masses.

Based on this theory, 7 main climatic zones are identified:

• equatorial;
• tropical (2);
• moderate (2);
• polar (2).

In each of the zones, climate conditions are formed under the influence of the corresponding masses - equatorial, tropical, etc.

Between the main zones there are 6 transitional zones, which are characterized by a change in air masses depending on the season:

• subequatorial (2) - equatorial air in summer, tropical in winter;
• subtropical (2) - tropical air in summer, moderate in winter;
• subarctic and subantarctic - temperate air in summer, arctic or antarctic in winter.

Arctic and Antarctic climate zone

The Arctic belt covers the polar region, which is adjacent to the North Pole - the Arctic. It includes the borders of Eurasia, North America, as well as the entire Arctic Ocean. Long winters prevail here. In summer, the temperature is not higher than + 5 ℃. Ice deserts have a serious impact on the climate of the entire planet, preventing overheating.

The Antarctic belt is located in the "opposite" part of the Earth - in the south. It has an impact on Antarctica, as well as the adjacent islands. The pole of cold is concentrated here. The average temperature in winter is around -60 ℃, and in summer it is not warmer than -20 ℃. Most of the territory is covered by ice.

Interesting fact: In Russia, the Arctic climate zone is between 71 and 82 degrees north latitude. There is a low population density, and the largest cities are Norilsk, Vorkuta and Murmansk.

Subarctic and subantarctic climate zone

The subarctic belt covers Alaska, northern Scandinavia, northern Canada, the southern part of Greenland, as well as the northern parts of the Far East and Siberia.

In winter, the temperature is about -30 ℃, in summer - no higher than + 20 ℃. The zone is located partially in the tundra, so the climate is characterized by the presence of frequent and strong winds, high humidity. Swamps prevail. And in the south - the forest-tundra zone, so in the summer it is quite warm, there are shrubs and rare trees.

The subantarctic belt occupies the territory above Antarctica - islands located within the southern parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Air masses reign here, replacing each other seasonally. In summer, flows from the temperate zone prevail, in winter - from the Arctic.

In cold weather, the temperature is around -15 ℃. Massive ice, frequent snowfalls, and storms predominate. In summer, the ice melts, but the temperature fluctuates within -2 ℃.Plants are represented only by species resistant to harsh conditions: lichens, mosses, algae.

Temperate climate zone

It occupies a large area of ​​the planet. It covers Asia, Europe, North America. The main feature of the belt is the four seasons that can be distinguished from each other.

Characteristic low atmospheric pressure, high humidity. Winters are mild with temperatures around 0 ℃, and in summer its rate rises to + 15 ℃ and higher. There is a lot of rainfall in the year (in the north). Cyclones prevail here, bringing rain and snow with them. Most of the rains occur in the summer.

Arid zones and forests alternate within the belt. Taiga regions are represented by vegetation adapted to cold and moisture. Behind them are deciduous forests, steppes, semi-deserts, deserts.

Within the temperate zone, several types of climate are distinguished:

• marine - formed over the oceans;
• monsoon - the eastern part of Eurasia;
• moderate continental - formed over the continents far from the oceans;
• sharply continental - inside continents that do not have access to the oceans.

Interesting fact: global warming cannot be stopped completely, but it can be slowed down. Even if the amount of carbon dioxide emissions decreases significantly, it will remain in the atmosphere for a long time.

Subtropical climate zone

The belt covers the southern parts of America, partly the Black Sea coast, the southwestern regions of Australia, Africa. In the summer, subtropical cyclones reign over these territories, which bring warmth with them.

In winter, low temperatures are also not observed, since air circulates here from the temperate zone. Summer lasts long, and winter is characterized by mild conditions and the absence of frost. Humidity is characteristic for the eastern territories, and aridity for the western.

Significantly warmer in the inland regions. The sky is almost always clear, with precipitation during the colder months. The coast is overgrown with evergreen bushes and hard-leaved trees.

The northern hemisphere is characterized by subtropical steppes, deserts, and in the southern hemisphere, steppes gradually flow into forests. In mountainous regions, meadows and forests predominate.

The subtropical zone is also represented by several types of climate:

• Mediterranean - everywhere except Antarctica;
• continental - with hot summers and cold winters;
• monsoon - with wet summers;
• the climate of high subtropical highlands is the highlands of Asia, with cool summers and very cold winters.

Tropical climate zone

Partially occupies all the continents of the planet, except Antarctica. Throughout the year, an overpressure zone prevails over the oceans in this belt, so there is very little rainfall.

Regardless of the hemisphere, the temperature in summer is more than + 35 ℃. In winter, it ranges from + 10 ℃. If you delve into the continent, you can feel how the temperature changes dramatically depending on the time of day.

In the tropics, it is mostly dry and hot, and most of the precipitation falls in winter. Dust storms are a frequent occurrence. Much milder climatic conditions on the coast - with wet summers and warm winters. There are almost no winds, and precipitation falls in the warm months of the year.

Interesting fact: Most rainfall falls on the rainforest. They contain a significant supply of fresh water on the planet, despite the fact that these territories occupy only 2% of the Earth's surface.

Types of climate in the tropical zone:

• trade wind above the oceans;
• tropical dry - desert areas;
• tropical monsoon - over the Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, in the tropics of South America, Africa;
• monsoon on tropical plateaus - Ethiopian highlands, Marra, Yata and other plateaus.

Subequatorial climate belt

It covers both hemispheres of the Earth, namely, the northern and central parts of South America, most of Africa, southern Eurasia, northern Australia. In summer, humid winds prevail in the subequatorial belt, and trade winds in winter.

In the year, the average temperature is + 28 ℃. During the day, its insignificant changes are observed. Thanks to the summer monsoons, it is during these months that the most rainfall occurs. Moreover, the smaller the distance to the equator, the more there are. In winter, water bodies dry up, and in summer they flood, leaving the coast.

Mixed forests grow in this zone; light forests and savannas are found. Plants dry out during periods of drought, but come to life during the rainy season. Some territories remain unexplored people.

Equatorial Climate Belt

Located on both sides of the equator. A hot climate reigns here, due to a powerful stream of solar radiation. The climate is formed under the influence of equatorial air masses.

A characteristic feature of the equatorial belt is relative stability throughout the year. There are also insignificant differences between the average annual winter and summer temperatures. Fluctuations are equal to no more than 3 ℃. In general, the temperature is not less than + 27 ℃.

Due to the large amount of precipitation, these territories are characterized by frequent fogs, cloudiness, and high humidity. There are practically no winds, which is good for local vegetation.

The conditions of the equatorial belt are ideally suited for the growth of moist forests, which consist of rare trees. These include rubber, ebony, red trees. The plant world is distinguished by large leaves.

However, the local forests are so dense and impassable that many plants have not yet been studied. Some trees grow to 80 m in height. However, they are usually surrounded by fern plants, mosses, vines.

How is climate displayed on a map?

Climate is a regular monitoring of weather conditions for decades. To display the climate on a map, specialists need to use average data over long periods of time. As a rule, indicators for 30-40 years are taken.

Based on the data obtained, climate maps are compiled. They are similar to the usual geographical and others - they have a scale, as well as a degree grid. However, special symbols are used on the climate map.

They display precipitation, temperature, wind direction, isotherms and other data. Explanation of signs is attached to the map legend. Due to the fact that the climate is quite variable, real indicators may differ from average. Therefore, the map also indicates the maximums and minimums with respect to temperatures and precipitation.