What is a climate zone?

The Sahara desert is the gathering place of the hottest land in the world; The summer temperature in this area is as high as 120 F (50℃). On the other hand, the Gobi Desert in Central Asia is extremely cold, with a winter temperature of 5 F (-21℃). Although the temperature difference is great, the Sahara desert and the Gobi desert belong to the same climate zone, because they have a common feature: extreme drought.

The confirmation of arid climate zone is mainly based on insufficient humidity-annual precipitation may be less than annual evaporation. All the so-called real deserts and adjacent quasi-arid areas in the world belong to this climate, covering more than 30% of the total surface area, equivalent to the Asian continent.

mediterranean climate

There is a Mediterranean subtropical climate in the western part of the mainland. The Mediterranean coast, the south coast of Australia and the coast of California are experiencing hot and dry summers and mild and humid winters, and the climate is rich and diverse, suitable for planting grapes, cabbages and banyan trees. There is little frost, and the average temperature in the coldest month is rarely lower than 40 ~ 50℃ (4 ~ 10℃). The rainfall in the Mediterranean subtropical region is much less than that in the subtropical humid region, with the annual rainfall ranging from 16 to 3 1 inch (40-80 cm). Rainfall mostly occurs in winter months, because the subtropical semi-continuous high-pressure airflow rushes to the equator, which makes the marine cyclone push inland.

temperate climate

Temperate climate zone is the place where cold and warm air masses meet on the earth, so it presents extremely changeable climate conditions. These areas are located in the mid-latitude zone where the season, temperature and precipitation change the most in a year. Temperate climate regions are also home to some of the most densely populated and developed regions, including northwest Europe, the east coast of the United States, northern Japan and central China.

During the four to eight months of the year, the average temperature in temperate regions is higher than 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Drought seldom occurs. Annual rainfall is usually relatively average. Due to abundant water resources, the production season is long. The soil is fertile, and many areas in the temperate zone are high-yield agricultural areas in the world.

Temperate marine climate

Temperate climate is divided into temperate maritime climate zone and temperate continental climate zone. Located at the western edge of the mainland, moderately influenced by the eastward moving ocean air mass, the temperate maritime climate is mild or cool in summer, and the annual temperature difference is small. Temperate maritime climate includes some of the most cloudy and humid areas in the world, including the northwest coast of North America, southern Chile, southeastern Australia and western Europe.

On the contrary, the temperate continental climate is located in the east of the continent, far from the influence of the ocean. Seasonal changes are more obvious. The temperature is below zero in winter, but it is warm and soft in summer, with an average temperature of 60 ~ 75 F (1624 C). This climatic zone includes 1/3 in Eurasia, southern Canada, easternmost Asia and northeastern United States.

subtropical climate

The northern (forest) climate only exists in the northern hemisphere. It is the origin of the cold polar continental air mass that attacks the temperate and subtropical climate in the northern hemisphere in winter. No other cyclone with weak intensity is active in the sub-cold zone all the year round. The growing season here is short, and freezing in midsummer may happen at any time.

No climate zone has experienced such a wide range of annual temperature changes as the northern climate zone. In the center of Alaska and Siberia, seasonal temperature fluctuations are the most significant in the world, far from the climate regulation of the ocean. The lowest temperature in Yeyansk region of central Siberia is-90 F (-68 C) in winter, while the temperature is as high as 85 F (29 C) in summer, with a temperature difference of175 F (80 C).

Polar (cold) climate

In the polar climate zone, the average temperature of each month in a year is lower than 50 F (10 C). Inuit people living in Alaska, northern Canada and Greenland have adapted to this harsh climate-just like mosquitoes, blackfly and other insects living in legendary groups on the polar tundra in the northern hemisphere. The polar climate zone extends from the South Arctic Circle to the two poles respectively, and consists of frozen source areas without trees, including Russia, Canada, Alaska, Antarctica and Greenland, as well as the frozen ice sheet area of the Arctic Ocean.

plateau climate

There are many kinds of plateau climate, and each terrain has its unique temperature and humidity characteristics. Even the two sides of the same mountain present different climatic conditions. The weather in the highlands also changes a lot in a day, and sunny days will turn into heavy rain in a few hours.

The plateau climate zone is like an island in a vast climate zone, with low altitude, cool weather and sufficient water vapor. Compared with the surrounding lowlands, the plants and animals here are more adapted to the plateau climate. Plateau climate areas are usually famous for their abundant water vapor and precipitation. At the same time, it is also the birthplace of many mountain springs, which form the main rivers on all continents.