In the (climate) Zone!
Chapter 21: Climate
21.2 Climate Zones p.469--473
• Scientists classify climates based
on their similarities
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/climate_map.gif
Polar Climates
• Very cold and dry: here’s why-• Little or no daylight in winter; sun
angle is low in summer
• Snow reflects much of the energy
back into space
• Subclimates: tundra (some plants
grow); icecap (permanent snow)
•
Icecap Subclimate
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2103/es2103page01.cf
m?chapter_no=visualization
http://thedude.com/images2/thule_jim_ice_cap.jpg
Tundra Subclimate
http://www.wildcarnivore.com/images/arctic%20tundra.jpg
Dry Climates
• Lose more water from evaporation
than receive from precipitation
• Caused by sinking air over land at
about 30°north and south of the
equator
• Can occur on leeward sides of
mountains
• Subclimates: desert (very dry, but not
lifeless); semiarid (not as dry as
deserts)
Mountains and Wind
•
Desert Subclimate
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es1806/es1806page03.cfm?chap
ter_no=investigation
http://www.ottosenphotography.com/sonoran_desert_matt.jpg
http://yourweatherblog.com/2011/07/driest-of-deserts-experiences-rare-july-snowfall/
Semiarid Subclimate
Humid Tropical Climates
• Hot and humid due to rising air
near the equator
• Large amounts of precipitation
• Subclimates: tropical wet (receive
precipitation year-round); tropical
wet and dry (wet summer/dry
winter)
https://woodward8.wikispaces.com/file/view/great_plains.jpg/37109819/great_plains.jpg
Tropical Wet Subclimate
Tropical Wet and Dry Subclimate
http://atoc.colorado.edu/~cassano/atoc4750/Daily_images/20080205/savanna.jpg
Moist Mid-Latitude Climates
Mild Winter Subclimate (Georgia)
• Mild Winter Subclimate
–Southeast U.S.
• Hot, muggy summers, mild winters
–Pacific northwest U.S.
• Cool summers, mild winters
–Both influenced by oceans
http://www.computerservicenow.com/pages/states/Georgia.jpg
Mild Winter Subclimate (Oregon)
Moist Mid-Latitude Climates
• Severe Winter Subclimate
–Humid Continental Subclimate
• Hot, humid summers, cold snowy
winters (that’s us!)
• No nearby oceans to even out
temperatures
–Subarctic subclimate
• Short summers, very cold winters
• Siberia, Canada
http://www.geography4kids.com/extras/dtop_aquatic/oregon_580.jpg
Severe Winter Subclimate
(Humid Continental)
http://www.milkywayfarm.com/images/Farm%20View%20from%20Hill.jpg
Severe Winter Subclimate
(Subarctic)
http://www.touristmaker.com/images/subarctic/subarctic-climate-zone.jpg
Highland Climates
• Mountainous regions
• Several climates in a small area
• Sierra Nevada in California
Highland Subclimate
(Sierra Nevada)
–Desert at the base
–Mountaintops covered in snow all
year
–Climate varies with elevation and
direction of slope
http://www.hikenow.net/images/SierraNevada/img/VegetationOnSierraNevada1.jpg
Which photo is Hawaii?
Section Review
1. Why are polar climates cold?
2. What is a desert like?
3. Describe humid tropical
climates.
4. Explain why dry climates often exist
on the leeward side of mountain
ranges and in the horse latitudes.