Mid-Latitude west coast climates: Discuss the generalized mid latitude climate z
ID: 298635 • Letter: M
Question
Mid-Latitude west coast climates: Discuss the generalized mid latitude climate zone sequence along the west coast of continents from the subtropical desert to the marine west coast climate. Include in your discussion, the overall precipitation pattern the characteristics of each climate zone and the reasons they occur where they do What is it? Where is it? Why is it there? b) Tropical and subtropical climates: Use the generalized continent of Africa to discuss the overall temperature and rainfall patterns that occur across the tropical and subtropical regions of the world Keep in mind some of the basic questions of geography What is it? Where is it? Why is it there? (T his is a discussion about climate patterns, so there is no need to speculate on why Africa is located where it is)Explanation / Answer
Tropics are those geographical regions which lies near the equator and is delineated by tropic of cancer 231/2 degree north in the northern hemisphere and tropic of capricorn 231/2 degree South in the southern hemisphere. In the tropics the sun rays are almost vertical which occurs atleast two times in a year . This is the hottest part of the earth. The tropics has two annual seasons in a year i.e dry and wet. The tropic includes regions like mostly Africa, Indonesia, southern India, North America, Central America, northern part of South America, Southern Asia, New Guinea and northern Australia.
The subtropical are the regions lying between latitude 231/2 degree and 40 degree in both northern and southern hemisphere. These areas have hotter summers more than the tropic summers. It includes northern India, Texas, Florida, coastal south Africa, coastal California, mostly eastern Australia. These areas does not have pronounced wet and dry seasons like tropics and the rainfall distribution is uniform throughout the year. Tropical cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons are frequent in these areas.
Africa continent is delineated on the west by the atlantic ocean, in the north by the mediterranean ocean and in east by the Indian ocean. Because of its vast size,this continent is located in both tropics and subtropics and therefore it has wide variety of climates in Africa.
Equatorial climate: The climate zone is found 5 degree N to 5 degree south of the equator and is generally described as hot and dry. This regions receives rainfall throughout the year and there are no dry month. The rainfall ranges from 1500-2500mm. Most of the rainfall is received during the equinoxes. There are two periods of high rainfall. The type of rainfall here is mostly convectional and the temperature of the area is 24-27 degree.
Tropical climate regime: This region lies between 5-15 degree north and south of equator. The rainfall here is mainly convectional but there is also orographic precipitation in some mountaineous areas. This area has two distinct dry and wet seasons each. The amount of rainfall decreases as we move away from the equator. The annual rainfall varies from 750-1500 mm. This climatic regime covers the most part of Africa. The time period at which the sun is directly overhead is known as equinoxes. The temperature of the area is between 21-32 degree celsius.
Mediterranean climate: The region has summer, winter, autumn and spring seasons. In this the summers are hot and dry whereas winters are warm and wet. It includes countries like Tunisia, South Africa,northern Morocco and Algeria. Rainfall here is moderate mostly in winters and the rainfall is caused due to westerly winds.
Humid subtropical climate: this climatic regime lies between 25-35 degree north and south latitudes. This area has abundant precipitation with higher temperatures. This climatic zone is found in the southwest part of continent.