What are the climate types?

Tropical rainforest landscape

tropical rainforest climate

Tropical rain forest climate (also known as equatorial rain forest climate) is characterized by high temperature and rainy all year round. Located near the equator, it extends about 5 ~ 10 from south to north. Its main distribution areas are: Amazon Plain in South America, Congo Basin in Africa, Malay Peninsula and Malay Archipelago.

These areas are located in the equatorial low pressure area, and the airflow is mainly upward, so there are many opportunities for water vapor to condense into rain. It rains all year round, and there is no dry season. The annual precipitation is generally above 2000 mm, and the minimum monthly precipitation is above 60 mm, with frequent thunderstorms. The average temperature in each month is 25 ~ 28℃, and the summer is long all year round, with no seasonal change. The annual temperature is generally below 3℃, and the average daily temperature can reach 6 ~ 12℃.

Several special distributions: eastern Madagascar, northeastern Australia, southeastern Brazil and northeastern Caribbean island countries. In this high temperature and rainy climate all the year round, plants can grow all year round, with diverse tree species, dense vegetation and a wide variety of animals and plants.

Tropical grassland landscape

Tropical savanna climate

Tropical grassland climate (also known as tropical dry and wet season climate) is characterized by high temperature all year round and precipitation in dry and wet seasons.

Mainly distributed in the north and south sides of the tropical rain forest climate zone, namely Central America, South America and Africa, where the north latitude is about 5 ~ 15 (some extend to 25). Its main characteristics are as follows: First, due to the north-south movement and the alternating influence of equatorial low pressure area and trade wind area, the dry and wet seasons in a year are distinct.

When controlled by the equatorial low-pressure belt, the equatorial ocean air mass prevails, with convergent updraft, forming a wet season, wet and rainy, with dense tall grass and shrubs growing everywhere and sparse trees, that is, savanna landscape. When affected by the trade winds, air masses prevail in the tropical continent, resulting in dry season, dry soil, withered grass and deciduous trees.

Compared with the equatorial rainy climate, there are at least 1 ~ 2 months of dry season in a year. Secondly, the annual temperature is high, with the characteristics of low latitude and high temperature. The average temperature in Leng Yue is above 16℃ ~ 18℃. The hottest month appears after the dry season and before the rainy season, so the climate in this area is generally divided into three seasons: dry, hot and rainy. The annual temperature is slightly higher than that in the equatorial rainy climate zone.

Tropical desert landscape

tropical desert climate

Tropical desert climate (also known as tropical arid and semi-arid climate, tropical desert climate) is characterized by high temperature and little rain all year round.

It is generally distributed in the west coast and inland of the mainland where the Tropic of Cancer passes, with the Sahara Desert in North Africa, West Asia (Arabian Peninsula) and central and western Australia being the most widely distributed. The tropical desert climate area is controlled by subtropical high and trade winds all the year round, and the tropical continental air mass prevails, and the airflow sinks, which is hot and dry. The temperature is high, and it is known as the "hot pole" in the world. There is little precipitation, the annual rainfall is less than 200 mm, and it changes greatly, even it doesn't rain for many years. Strong sunshine and strong evaporation make the climate drier.

Tropical monsoon forest landscape

Tropical monsoon climate

Tropical monsoon climate is characterized by high temperature all year round, and precipitation is divided into dry season and rainy season.

Mainly distributed in Indochina Peninsula, most parts of Indian Peninsula, Philippine Islands, Xishuangbanna, China, southern Taiwan Province Province, Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island. In addition, there is a similar distribution in the northern coastal areas of the Australian mainland.

It is hot all the year round here, with the annual average temperature above 20℃, and the highest temperature in Leng Yue is generally above 18℃. The annual precipitation is relatively large, concentrated in summer, which is due to more convective rainfall under the control of equatorial ocean air mass in summer and a large amount of precipitation brought by tropical cyclone transit, resulting in more rain in summer than in tropical grassland climate; On some windward coasts, due to the influence of topography, the summer precipitation even exceeds that in the equatorial rainy climate zone. The annual precipitation is generally1500 ~ 2000mm. The tropical monsoon is developed in this area, with obvious dry season and rainy season, that is, the northeast wind blows in the northern hemisphere in winter, forming a dry season; ? In summer, the southwest wind from the Indian Ocean blows (the northwest wind blows in the southern hemisphere), which is rich in water vapor and concentrated in precipitation, forming the rainy season.

Subtropical type

It should be noted that the subtropical zone also belongs to the temperate zone.

Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest landscape

Subtropical monsoon climate

The subtropical monsoon climate is characterized by high temperature and rain in summer and mild and little rain in winter.

Appearing on the east coast of subtropical continent at 25 ~ 35 north latitude, it is a zone where tropical marine air mass and polar continental air mass alternately control and compete with each other. It is mainly distributed in the south of Huaihe River in Qinling Mountains in eastern China, north of tropical monsoon climate type, south of Japan and south of Korean Peninsula. It's warm in winter here, and the average temperature in Leng Yue is above 0℃. Summer is hot, the average temperature in the hottest month is above 22℃, and the temperature changes obviously in seasons and seasons. The annual precipitation is generally 1000 ~ 1500mm, but there is no obvious dry season. Compared with the temperate monsoon climate, the seasonal changes are basically similar, except that the winter temperature is higher and the annual precipitation is more.

In addition, there is a subtropical humid climate (also known as monsoon humid climate), which is similar to subtropical monsoon climate, but the monsoon characteristics are not as obvious as subtropical monsoon climate.

Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest landscape

Mediterranean climate (subtropical summer and dry climate)

Mediterranean climate (also known as subtropical dry summer climate and rainy winter climate) is characterized by hot and dry summer, mild and rainy winter, and different rainy and hot periods.

Located on the west coast of subtropical latitude (located on the west coast of the mainland at 30 ~ 40 degrees north and south latitude), the Mediterranean region is the most typical, including the coast of California, the central coast of Chile, the southwestern tip of South Africa (Cape of Good Hope) and the southwestern tip of Australia. It is a transitional zone between tropical semi-arid climate and temperate maritime climate.

These areas are significantly affected by the seasonal displacement of the pressure zone, and the subtropical high controls the airflow in summer, so the temperature is very hot in summer except for the cold current along the western coast of the mainland, and the downward flow is not conducive to clouds and rain, so the climate is dry; Winter is affected by the west wind, which is mild and rainy. The annual rainfall is moderate, ranging from 300 ~1000 mm.

Note: The following two kinds of climate can be classified as temperate continental climate.

Subtropical desert climate

Subtropical desert climate (subtropical continental arid and semi-arid climate) It is mainly distributed in the subtropical continent, including the Iranian Plateau and Anatoly Plateau in West Asia, the inland plateau in the western United States and Granchako in South America. The formation of arid climate is due to being far away from the sea or being blocked by mountains, and it is difficult for humid airflow to reach. And it is located in the subtropical zone, with hot summer and mild winter. Semi-arid climate belongs to the type of transition from arid climate to other climate. The vegetation here belongs to desert grassland, usually xerophytes and gramineous plants, and the soil belongs to semi-desert light brown soil.

Subtropical grassland climate

The climatic characteristics of subtropical grassland are basically the same as those of tropical grassland, but they are distributed in subtropical zone.

Temperate type

Temperate maritime climate

The temperate maritime climate is characterized by no severe cold in winter, no intense heat in summer, and even and mild precipitation throughout the year.

Landscape of temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest

Located on the west coast of the mainland, the latitude is 40 ~ 60 degrees (temperate zone). Being in the westerlies all the year round, it is deeply influenced by the ocean air mass, and there is a warm current passing along the coast. There is no cold in winter and no heat in summer. The average temperature in Leng Yue is above 0℃, the hottest month is below 22℃, and the annual and daily temperature difference is small. The annual precipitation is less in spring and summer and more in autumn and winter. The annual precipitation is generally above 1000mm, and the windward slope in mountainous areas can reach above 2000 ~ 3000 mm. This kind of climate is the most typical and widely distributed in western Europe, and it is also distributed in the corresponding latitudes of the west coast of North and South America, as well as Tasmania and New Zealand in Oceania.

Mid-latitude monsoon climate

Temperate monsoon climate is characterized by hot and rainy summer and cold and dry winter.

It is distributed in the eastern temperate zone of Eurasia, including the northeast and north of China, the north of Korean Peninsula, the north of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk (including kamchatka peninsula). In winter, affected by the northerly winds in high latitudes inland, polar continental air masses prevail, which are cold and dry; In summer, influenced by polar ocean air mass or denatured tropical ocean air mass, southeast wind and southeast wind prevail, with warm, hot and rainy seasons. The annual precipitation is about 1000 mm, of which about two thirds is concentrated in summer (June-August). The temperature changes obviously throughout the year, and the weather is changeable. With the increase of latitude, the temperature amplitude in winter and summer increases correspondingly, while the precipitation decreases gradually.

Temperate continental climate

The temperate continental climate is characterized by intense heat in winter and little rain all year round.

Temperate coniferous forest landscape

This climate is the most widely distributed climate type in the world. Mainly distributed in Eurasia and North America. This climate is somewhat similar to the temperate monsoon climate in terms of temperature and precipitation, but the seasonal changes of wind direction and wind force are not as obvious as the temperate monsoon climate. Affected by cyclone activity in winter, there is a little more precipitation; There is convective rain in summer, but the concentration of summer rain is not as significant as that of temperate monsoon climate. The weather changes irregularly.

Note: The following three climates belong to temperate continental climate.

Temperate grassland climate

Temperate grassland landscape

Temperate continental arid and semi-arid climate. Also known as temperate desert and temperate grassland climate, it is mainly distributed in the hinterland of Asia and North America, Patagonia Plateau and pampas grassland in South America. This climate zone in Asia and North America is far away from the sea, deep inland, surrounded by mountains and plateaus, and it is difficult for humid ocean air to reach. Temperate continental air masses prevail all the year round, forming a temperate continental arid and semi-arid climate with hot summer and little rain in winter. Generally speaking, the average annual precipitation in arid climate is below 250 mm, and the average annual precipitation in semi-arid climate is 250 ~ 500 mm.

Temperate desert climate

Temperate desert climate is a kind of climate located in the desert area in the hinterland of temperate continent. Extremely dry, with little rainfall, with an average annual rainfall of 200 ~ 300mm, and even no rain in some places for many years. It is hot in summer, and the maximum temperature during the day can reach above 50℃; Winter is cold, the average temperature in Leng Yue is below 0℃, and the annual and daily temperature ranges greatly. Less clouds, relatively long sunshine and strong solar radiation. The natural landscape is mostly desert, and there are only a few desert plants in natural plants. The Tarim Basin in Central Asia and China has a desert climate.

The temperate semi-arid climate is at the periphery of the arid climate, and the summer temperature is lower than that of the temperate arid climate, and the rainfall is also higher than that of the temperate arid climate.

Coniferous forest climate in sub-frigid zone

Coniferous forest climate in sub-frigid zone (also called continental climate). This kind of climate appears between 50 and 65 north latitude, which is distributed in a strip shape and crosses North America and Eurasia. Specifically, in North America, from Alaska to most parts of Labrador and Newfoundland via Canada; On the Eurasian continent, it starts from Scandinavia in the west (except the south), passes through Finland and western Russia (the southern border is on the St. Petersburg-Nizhny Novgorod-Sverdlovsk line), and reaches eastern Russia (except the south). The northern part is bounded by the hottest month 10℃ isotherm. The climate in this area is mainly influenced by the polar ocean air mass and the polar continental air mass, which is the source of the polar continental air mass.

In winter, there are many opportunities for the Arctic air mass to invade. In warm seasons, tropical continental air masses can sometimes penetrate. The main features of this climate are: the winter is long and cold, the average temperature is below 0℃ for 5 ~ 7 months every year, and the cold weather of -50℃ often occurs; Summer is short and warm, and the monthly average temperature is above 10℃, and the highest temperature can reach 18℃ ~ 20℃, especially the annual variation. The annual precipitation is generally 300 ~ 600 mm, mainly in summer rain. Due to weak evaporation, the relative humidity is very high.

Cold zone type

Cold zone climate

Cold climate includes the following two kinds of climate, mainly distributed in the polar circle.

Tundra landscape

Ice sheet climate

The tundra climate is distributed in the Arctic coast of Eurasia and North America, part of the coast of Greenland and several islands in the Arctic Ocean. In the southern hemisphere, it is distributed in south shetland islands, South orkney and Antarctic Peninsula. It is characterized by long winter without summer, short warm season and scarce precipitation. The annual precipitation is about 200 ~ 300 mm, mainly snowfall; There is a layer of permafrost on the ground, only lichens, mosses and other low-level plants.

ice-cap climate

Icefield landscape

The climate of the ice sheet is cold all the year round, and precipitation is scarce. The climate is mainly distributed in Greenland and Antarctica, including the inland of Greenland and the ice sheet plateau of the Antarctic continent. This is the birthplace of the ice ocean air mass and the Antarctic air mass. The whole winter is in a constant night state, and the second half of the year is a constant day. However, due to the oblique sunlight, the heat obtained is weak, so the climate is extremely cold all the year round, and the temperature in each month is below 0℃. The Antarctic continent has an average annual temperature of -25℃, which is the coldest continent in the world. 1967, the absolute minimum temperature measured by Norwegians was -94.5℃, which was called the "cold pole" in the world. Most of the ground is covered with thick ice and snow, with many cold storms and almost no plants growing.

mountain climate

The plateau mountain climate is mainly distributed in the mountain plateau at middle and low latitudes. The Himalayas, Pamirs and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Asia, Cordillera Mountains in North and South America, Alps in Europe and Kilimanjaro in Africa are all distributed. Because the climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation change vertically with the altitude of the terrain, a vertical climate zone structure is formed. Different mountains or plateaus have different climatic zone structures, that is, the same mountain or plateau often has different vertical climatic zone structures due to the differences in its internal slope direction, height and position.