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What are the belts of the earth. climatic zones of the earth. temperate climate zone

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 a large amount of heat during the year, and the 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.

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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. During the year there is very little cloudiness, relative humidity and annual precipitation. 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 higher air humidity, an even temperature course 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 snow radiate a huge amount of solar heat, which is the cause of very cold air. Atmospheric pressure is high all year round and easterly winds prevail. Located in Antarctica pole of cold planets. In summer, the average air temperature is $30$ degrees, and in winter - $70$. 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 are similar, but milder. 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. Most of the precipitation 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 summer, one air mass dominates there, 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;
  • Subarctic belt;
  • Subantarctic belt.

Subequatorial climate zone. 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, and dry tropical air comes in winter. 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. In addition to the oceans, the subequatorial belt passes through South America, Central Africa, Hindustan, Indochina, and North 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 zone in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, north of the subtropics is the tropical zone, and the temperate zone to the south. Thermal regimes alternate in half a year - a moderate regime is observed in winter, and a tropical regime in summer. 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

The formation of the planet's climate is greatly influenced by external and internal factors. Most of the external factors affect the total amount of incoming solar radiation, its distribution over the seasons of the year, across the hemispheres and continents.

External factors include the parameters of the earth's orbit and the 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.

On Earth determines the nature of many features of nature. Climatic conditions also strongly influence the life, economic activity of people, their health and even biological characteristics. At the same time, the climates of individual territories do not exist in isolation. They are parts of a single atmospheric process for the entire planet.

Climate classification

The climates of the Earth, having similarities, are combined into certain types, which replace each other in the direction from the equator to the poles. In each hemisphere, 7 climatic zones are distinguished, of which 4 are main and 3 are transitional. Such a division is based on the distribution of air masses around the globe with different properties and features of air movement in them.

In the main belts, one air mass is formed throughout the year. In the equatorial zone - equatorial, in the tropical - tropical, in the temperate - the air of temperate latitudes, in the arctic (antarctic) - arctic (antarctic). In the transitional belts located between the main ones, in different seasons of the year, they alternately enter from the adjacent main belts. Here the conditions change seasonally: in summer they are the same as in the neighboring warmer zone, in winter they are the same as in the neighboring colder one. Along with the change of air masses in transitional zones, the weather also changes. For example, in the subequatorial zone, hot and rainy weather prevails in summer, while cooler and drier weather prevails in winter.

The climate within the belts is heterogeneous. Therefore, the belts are divided into climatic regions. Above the oceans, where sea air masses are formed, there are areas of oceanic climates, and above the continents - continental. In many climatic zones on the western and eastern coasts of the continents, special types of climate are formed that differ from both continental and oceanic ones. The reason for this is the interaction of sea and continental air masses, as well as the presence of ocean currents.

Hot ones include and. These areas constantly receive a significant amount of heat due to the large angle of incidence of sunlight.

In the equatorial zone, the equatorial air mass dominates throughout the year. The heated air in the conditions constantly rises, which leads to the formation of rain clouds. Heavy rainfall falls here daily, often from. The amount of precipitation is 1000-3000 mm per year. This is more than moisture can evaporate. The equatorial zone has one season of the year: it is always hot and humid.

Tropical air masses dominate throughout the year. In it, air descends from the upper layers of the troposphere to the earth's surface. As it descends, it heats up, and even over the oceans no clouds form. Clear weather prevails, in which the sun's rays strongly heat the surface. Therefore, on land, the average summer is higher than in the equatorial zone (up to +35 ° WITH). Winter temperatures are lower than summer temperatures due to a decrease in the angle of incidence of sunlight. Due to the absence of clouds throughout the year, there is very little rainfall, so tropical deserts are common on land. These are the hottest areas of the Earth, where temperature records are noted. The exception is the eastern shores of the continents, which are washed by warm currents and are under the influence of the trade winds blowing from the oceans. Therefore, there is a lot of precipitation here.

The territory of the subequatorial (transitional) belts is occupied in summer by a humid equatorial air mass, and in winter - by a dry tropical air mass. Therefore, there are hot and rainy summers and dry and also hot - because of the high standing of the Sun - winter.

temperate climatic zones

They occupy about 1/4 of the Earth's surface. They have sharper seasonal differences in temperature and precipitation than hot zones. This is due to a significant decrease in the angle of incidence of the sun's rays and the complication of circulation. They contain air from temperate latitudes all year round, but there are frequent intrusions of arctic and tropical air.

The southern hemisphere is dominated by an oceanic temperate climate with cool summers (from +12 to +14 °С), mild winters (from +4 to +6 °С) and heavy rainfall (about 1000 mm per year). In the Northern Hemisphere, large areas are occupied by the continental temperate and. Its main feature is the sharply pronounced changes in temperature throughout the seasons.

The western shores of the continents receive moist air from the oceans all year round, brought by the western temperate latitudes; there is a lot of precipitation (1000 mm per year). Summers are cool (up to + 16 °С) and humid, and winters are humid and warm (from 0 to +5 °С). In the direction from west to east inland, the climate becomes more continental: the amount of precipitation decreases, summer temperatures increase, and winter temperatures decrease.

A monsoon climate is formed on the eastern shores of the continents: summer monsoons bring heavy rainfall from the oceans, and frosty and drier weather is associated with winter ones blowing from the continents to the oceans.

Air from temperate latitudes enters the subtropical transitional zones in winter, and tropical air in summer. The mainland subtropical climate is characterized by hot (up to +30 °С) dry summers and cool (from 0 to +5 °С) and somewhat wetter winters. There is less precipitation in a year than it can evaporate, therefore deserts and prevail. There is a lot of precipitation on the coasts of the continents, and on the western coasts it is rainy in winter due to the western winds from the oceans, and on the eastern coasts in the summer due to the monsoons.

Cold climate zones

During the polar day, the earth's surface receives little solar heat, and during the polar night it does not heat up at all. Therefore, the Arctic and Antarctic air masses are very cold and contain little. The Antarctic continental climate is the most severe: exceptionally frosty winters and cold summers with freezing temperatures. Therefore, it is covered with a powerful glacier. In the Northern Hemisphere, a similar climate is in, and over the sea - arctic. It is warmer than the Antarctic, since ocean waters, even covered with ice, provide additional heat.

In the subarctic and subantarctic belts, the arctic (antarctic) air mass dominates in winter, and the air of temperate latitudes dominates in summer. Summers are cool, short and wet, winters are long, harsh and with little snow.

Remember

What do you know from the 6th grade geography course about the conditions that determine the climate?

The climate is determined by the latitude of the area (the angle of incidence of sunlight), the nature of the underlying surface, and the general circulation of the atmosphere.

This I know

1. List the main climate-forming factors. What is the most important factor?

The main climate-forming factors are geographic latitude, general atmospheric circulation and the nature of the underlying surface. The most important factor is the geographic latitude of the area.

2. Explain how the underlying surface affects the climate of the territory?

First, different temperature conditions and humidity are formed over the surface of the oceans and land. Over the oceans there is more humidity, less fluctuations in temperature. On land, the climate changes with distance from the coasts inland. At the same time, temperature fluctuations increase, cloudiness and precipitation decrease. Currents influence the climate. Cold currents along the coast make the climate of the coasts cool and very dry. Warm currents make the climate milder. Relief and the absolute height of the terrain play an important role in shaping the climate.

3. Give examples of the influence of remoteness from the oceans on the climate of the territory.

A vivid example of the influence of remoteness from the oceans on climate is the difference between the climate of the coasts and inland regions of Eurasia. The coasts of the mainland have a mild climate with warm summers and mild winters with frequent thaws. Up to 800 mm of precipitation falls here. The interior regions are characterized by dry, hot summers and very frosty winters with little snow.

4. How does the main climatic zone differ from the transitional one?

In the main climatic zone, one air mass dominates throughout the year. In transitional zones, two air masses replace each other.

This I can

5. On the map "Climatic zones and regions of the Earth" name the main and transitional climatic zones.

Transitional belts have the prefix "sub-" in the name.

6. Determine the type of climate according to the totality of signs: January temperature -10 ... -150С, July +20 ... +250С. precipitation falls throughout the year, but with a summer maximum. The annual amount of precipitation is 250-300 mm. What continents have this type of climate?

This is a temperate continental type of climate. It is represented in Eurasia, North America.

7. Based on the climate diagram (see Figure 35), determine the type of climate.

The climate is characterized by small temperature fluctuations. The air temperature does not fall below 10 0С in winter, summer temperatures - +20…+250С. Precipitation has a winter maximum. Such characteristics may have a subtropical Mediterranean type of climate.

8. Fill in the table

It's interesting to me

9. In what climate zone would you like to go on vacation in summer? What clothes will you especially need when traveling?

To have a rest in the summer I would go to the subtropical Mediterranean climatic zone. The Mediterranean climate is extremely favorable for human life, which is why the most famous summer resorts are located here. Valuable subtropical crops are grown here: citrus fruits, grapes, olives.

When traveling, you will need light clothing made from natural fabrics that would not leave exposed skin, beachwear and hats.

Weather in certain parts of our planet is always determined by the climatic zone. There are few of them, but in each hemisphere this or that natural area has its own characteristics. Now we will consider the main climatic zones of our planet and transitional ones, we will note their main features and position.

A few common words

Our planet, as you know, consists of land and water. In addition, these two components have a different structure (on land there may be mountains, lowlands, hills or deserts, the ocean may have a cold or warm current). That is why the impact that the Sun has on the Earth with the same intensity is displayed in completely different ways in different areas. Such interaction was the reason that the main climatic zones of the world and the transitional ones that are between them were formed. The former have a large area and are characterized by stable weather conditions. The latter stretch in narrow strips parallel to the equator, and the temperature in their various regions can be very diverse.

Main natural areas

For the first time, geographers identified the main climatic zones of the planet in the middle of the 19th century, and then they were mostly descriptive. From then until today there were four of them: polar, temperate, tropical and equatorial. In addition, it is important to highlight that scientists now divide the polar climate into two different zones - the Arctic and the Antarctic. The fact is that the poles of the Earth are not symmetrical, and therefore the weather in each of these areas is different. In the north, oddly enough, the climate is milder; vegetation is even found in the subpolar regions, as the snow cover melts in summer. In the south, you will not find such phenomena, and seasonal temperature fluctuations there go off scale for 60 degrees. Below is the belts of the world, looking at which you can quickly navigate in their location.

Equatorial climate over land

The location of this natural zone is the northern part of South America; the countries of Central Africa and the Congo Basin, as well as the upper Nile; most of the Indonesian archipelago. Each of these places has a very humid climate. The annual rainfall here is 3000 mm or more. For this reason, many areas that fall into the zone of equatorial cyclones are covered with swamps. Comparing all other climatic zones and regions of our world with the equator, we can say with full confidence that this is the wettest zone. It is worth noting that in summer it rains here much more often than in winter. They fall in the form of short-term and very heavy downpours, the effects of which dry up in minutes, and the sun warms the earth again. There are no seasonal temperature fluctuations here - throughout the year, the thermometer stays within 28-35 above zero.

Maritime equatorial climate

The band that stretches along the equator across the ocean is called the dynamic minimum zone. The pressure here is as low as over land, which provokes a huge amount of precipitation - over 3500 mm per year. Among other things, such humid climatic zones and areas above the waters are characterized by clouds and fogs. Very dense air masses are formed here due to the fact that both the air and, in fact, the water surface are filled with moisture. The currents are warm everywhere, thanks to which the water evaporates very quickly and its natural natural circulation occurs constantly. The temperature regime is kept within +24 - +28 degrees without interseasonal fluctuations.

Tropical zone over land

We note right away that the main climatic zones of our world are very different from each other, and this does not depend on how close they are to each other. A striking example of this is the tropics, which, in fact, are not so far from the equator. This natural area is divided into two parts - North and South. In the first case, it occupies a significant part of Eurasia (Arabia, the southern part of Iran, the extreme points of Europe in the Mediterranean Sea), North Africa, and Central America (mainly Mexico). In the second, these are the territories of some states of South America, the Kalahari Desert in Africa and the central part of mainland Australia. A dry and hot climate reigns here with very sharp temperature changes. The amount of precipitation per year is 300 mm, clouds, fogs and rains are extremely rare. Summer is always very hot - over +35 degrees, and in winter the temperature drops to +18. The temperature fluctuates just as sharply within the day - during the day it can be as much as +40, and at night it will be only +20. Very often, monsoons fly over the tropics - strong winds that destroy rocks. That is why so many deserts formed in this zone.

Tropics over the oceans

The table of climatic zones of the world gives us the opportunity to understand that over the ocean, the tropics have slightly different characteristics. Here it is more humid, but also cooler, it rains more often and the winds blow more strongly. The amount of precipitation falling per year is 500 mm. The average summer temperature is +25 degrees, and the average winter temperature is +15. Currents are also considered a feature of the oceanic tropical climate. Cold waters pass along the western coasts of America, Africa and Australia, therefore it is always cooler and drier here. And the eastern shores are washed by warm waters, and here there is more rain and the air temperature is much higher.

The largest natural zone: the climate is temperate. Features over land

The main climatic zones of the planet cannot be imagined without the temperate zone, which dominates most of Eurasia and This area is characterized by season changes - winter, spring, summer, autumn, in which humidity and temperature fluctuate to a large extent. Conventionally, the continental zone is divided into two subtypes:


Polar Regions of the Earth

High pressure zones are located in the Far North and the Far South of our planet. In the first case, this is the water area of ​​the Arctic Ocean and all the islands located there. The second is Antarctica. A map of the climatic zones of the world often shows us both zones as areas identical in their weather conditions. In fact, there is a difference between them. In the North, annual temperature fluctuations are approximately 40 degrees. In winter, the temperature drops to -50, and in summer it warms up to +5. In Antarctica, the temperature difference is as much as 60 degrees, in winter the frosts are extremely severe -70 or more, and in summer the thermometer does not rise above zero. A characteristic phenomenon for both poles is polar day and night. In summer, the sun does not go below the horizon for several months, and in winter, accordingly, it does not appear at all.

Transitional climatic zones of the planet

These natural zones are located between the main ones. Despite this, they have their own characteristics that distinguish them from the general background. As a rule, such transition zones are places where milder weather, normal humidity and moderate winds prevail. Transitional climatic zones were discovered at the end of the 19th century, their classification remains unchanged to this day. Every schoolchild knows their names - subequatorial, subtropical and subpolar. Now we will look at each of them.

Brief overview of transitional natural zones

  • Subequatorial climate. Characterized by seasonal change of weather. In winter, the direction of the wind brings tropical air masses here. Therefore, there is very little precipitation, the air becomes cooler, the clouds dissipate. In summer, the direction of the wind changes, equatorial cyclones fall here. Due to this, a huge amount of precipitation falls - 3000 mm, it becomes very hot.
  • Subtropical. Located between the tropics and temperate latitudes. Here the situation is similar. In summer, winds blow from the tropics, due to which it becomes very hot and sunny. In winter, cyclones arrive from temperate latitudes, it becomes cold, sometimes it snows, but no permanent cover is formed.
  • subpolar climate. Dynamic minimum zone, with high humidity and very low temperatures - more than -50. It is noteworthy that in the subpolar zone it occupies mainly land, and in the South it is a continuous water area in the region of Antarctica.

What are the climatic zones in Russia?

Our country is located in the Northern Hemisphere and at the same time in the Eastern. The climate here begins to form in the waters of the Arctic Ocean and ends on the shores of the Black Sea, in the Caucasus. Now we list all the names of the main climatic zones that are found in Russia: arctic, subarctic, temperate, subtropical. Most of the country's territory is occupied by a temperate zone. It is conditionally divided into four types: moderate and monsoonal. Humidity levels and temperature fluctuations depend on how deep a geographic feature is in the continent. In general, the state is characterized by the presence of all four seasons, hot and dry summers and cold winters, with constant snow cover.

Conclusion

The features of a particular climate on the planet largely depend on the relief over which it is located. The north of the Earth is mostly covered by land, therefore a zone of the so-called dynamic maximum has formed here. There is always a small amount of precipitation, strong winds and large seasonal temperature fluctuations. The main climatic zones of the northern hemisphere are the polar zone, temperate, and tropical. In the south of the planet, most of the territory is occupied by water. The climate here is always more humid, temperature drops are less. Most of the countries here are located in subequatorial latitudes, tropics and subtropics. The temperate zone covers only a small piece of land in South America. Also, a significant part of the land is occupied by the Antarctic zone, which is located above the continent of the same name.

The climate within the Earth's surface varies zonal. The most modern classification, which explains the reasons for the formation of a particular type of climate, was developed by B.P. Alisov. It is based on the types of air masses and their movement.

air masses- These are significant volumes of air with certain properties, the main of which are temperature and moisture content. The properties of air masses are determined by the properties of the surface over which they form. Air masses form the troposphere like the lithospheric plates that make up the earth's crust.

Depending on the area of ​​formation, four main types of air masses are distinguished: equatorial, tropical, temperate (polar) and arctic (antarctic). In addition to the area of ​​formation, the nature of the surface (land or sea) over which air accumulates is also important. In accordance with this, the main zonal types of air masses are divided into maritime and continental.

Arctic air masses are formed in high latitudes, above the ice surface of the polar countries. Arctic air is characterized by low temperatures and low moisture content.

moderate air masses clearly divided into marine and continental. Continental temperate air is characterized by low moisture content, high summer and low winter temperatures. Maritime temperate air forms over the oceans. It is cool in summer, moderately cold in winter, and constantly humid.

Continental tropical air formed over tropical deserts. It is hot and dry. Sea air is characterized by lower temperatures and much higher humidity.

equatorial air, forming a zone at the equator and over the sea and over land, it has a high temperature and humidity.

Air masses constantly move after the sun: in June - to the north, in January - to the south. As a result, territories are formed on the surface of the earth where one type of air mass dominates during the year and where air masses replace each other according to the seasons of the year.

The main feature of the climate zone is the dominance of certain types of air masses. subdivided into main(during the year, one zonal type of air masses dominates) and transitional(air masses change seasonally). The main climatic zones are designated in accordance with the names of the main zonal types of air masses. In transitional belts, the prefix "sub" is added to the name of the air masses.

Main climatic zones: equatorial, tropical, temperate, arctic (antarctic); transitional: subequatorial, subtropical, subarctic.

All climatic zones, except for the equatorial one, are paired, that is, there are both in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

In the equatorial climate zone equatorial air masses dominate all year round, low pressure prevails. It is humid and hot throughout the year. The seasons of the year are not expressed.

Tropical air masses (hot and dry) dominate throughout the year. tropical zones. Due to the downward movement of air that prevails throughout the year, very little precipitation falls. Summer temperatures are higher here than in the equatorial zone. Winds are trade winds.

For temperate zones characterized by the dominance of moderate air masses throughout the year. Westerly air transport prevails. Temperatures are positive in summer and negative in winter. Due to the predominance of low pressure, a lot of precipitation falls, especially on ocean coasts. In winter, precipitation falls in solid form (snow, hail).

In the Arctic (Antarctic) belt Cold and dry arctic air masses dominate throughout the year. It is characterized by downward movement of air, north- and south-east winds, the predominance of negative temperatures throughout the year, and constant snow cover.

In the subequatorial belt there is a seasonal change of air masses, the seasons of the year are expressed. Summer is hot and humid due to the arrival of equatorial air masses. In winter, tropical air masses dominate, so it is warm but dry.

In the subtropical zone moderate (summer) and arctic (winter) air masses change. Winter is not only severe, but also dry. Summers are much warmer than winters, with more rainfall.


Climatic regions are distinguished within the climatic zones with different types of climates maritime, continental, monsoon. Marine type of climate formed under the influence of sea air masses. It is characterized by a small amplitude of air temperature for the seasons of the year, high cloudiness, and a relatively large amount of precipitation. Continental type of climate formed away from the ocean coast. It is distinguished by a significant annual amplitude of air temperatures, a small amount of precipitation, and a distinct expression of the seasons of the year. Monsoon type of climate It is characterized by the change of winds according to the seasons of the year. At the same time, the wind changes direction with the change of season, which affects the precipitation regime. Rainy summers give way to dry winters.

The largest number of climatic regions is within the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere.

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