Why study about climate types?

The study of paleoclimates has been particularly helpful in showing that the Earth's climate system can shift between dramatically different climate states in a matter of years and/or decades.

Understanding "climate surprises" of the past is critical if we are to avoid being surprised by abrupt climatic change.

The study of past climate change also helps us understand how humans influence the Earth's climate system. 

By the end of the lesson…► We will be able to,► List and describe three different

types of climate► Describe temperature and rainfall

using climographs► Account for the distribution and

location of the different types of climate

Describing Temperatures► Daily temperature range or Diurnal range:

Difference between maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in a day

► Mean monthly temperatures: Sum of daily mean temperatures in a month

► Annual Temperature range: Difference between maximum and minimum

monthly temperatures in a year► Mean annual temperatures:

Sum of mean monthly temperatures in a month/12

Describing Rainfall► Mean monthly rainfall:

Sum of daily rainfall in a month Number of days in a month

► Annual rainfall: Total amount of rainwater collected

throughout the year

Types of Climate

WHY HERE?

What type of natural environment would you expect here?

What type of natural environment would you expect here?

Tropical Equatorial Climate► Between latitudes 10°N and 10°S► E.g. Southeast Asia► Natural environment will be

dominated by tropical rainforests that remain lush and green all year round.

How would you describe the temperature and precipitation patterns of a Tropical Equatorial climate?

Describe the climate of a tropical equatorial country

► Generally high temperatures all year round with small annual range. High mean annual temperature of above 25°C

all year round Low temperature range of around 3 to 5°C

► Rain fall throughout the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons Rainfall for majority of the year is high at over

150mm/mth for almost all months High total annual rainfall of over 2000mm

Q:

Recap: What are ‘Monsoons’

How do the different types of monsoon winds change the climate of the places they blow over?

What type of natural environment would you expect here?

What would their climograph look like?

How would you describe the temperature and precipitation patterns of a Tropical Monsoon climate?

Tropical Monsoon Climate► Between latitudes 10° and 25°

and North and South of the Equator

► E.g. India, Myanmar► Key feature:

► very distinct wet and dry season

Describe the climate of a tropical monsoon country

► Generally high temperatures all year round with a larger annual range. High mean annual temperature of around

25°C Larger temperature range of around 5 to 10°C

► Rain fall is generally high but seasonal with distinct wet and dry seasons Mean monthly rainfall during the wet season

can reach over 500mm/mth but plunge below 50mm/month during the dry season

High total annual rainfall of over 2000 mm

Q:

What does ‘temperate’ mean

in Geography?

What colour are the temperate zones?

What type of natural environment would you expect here?

How are the forests here different from those found in the Tropics?

What sort of temperatures would

you expect here?

Cool Temperate Climate► Between latitudes 40°N and 70°N

and South of the Equator► E.g. Canada, Northeast USA

Describe the climate of a cool temperate country

► Temperatures vary according to the seasons which gives rise to a moderate to large annual range. Low mean annual temperature of around 15°C Large temperature range of over 15°C

► Rain fall is generally evenly distributed but lower than equatorial climates Mean monthly rainfall is usually less than

100mm/mth Moderate total annual rainfall of around 300 to

900mm

Q:

What other climates are you interested in learning more about?