Where is the temperate climatic zone. Moderate belts. Sharply continental climate

Equatorial belt. Equatorial air masses(EV) all year round, low pressure zone. The climatic regions within the belt are not expressed. Temperatures are high all year round, moisture is excessive, and there is a lot of precipitation. Seasonal fluctuations of average monthly temperatures, pressure and precipitation are insignificant, winds are weak. Weather: before noon - hot sunny, in the afternoon - heavy rains.

Subequatorial belts. Seasonal change of air masses: in summer - equatorial (EE), in winter - tropical (TV). In summer climatic and weather the same as in equatorial belt, in winter - as in a tropical, in a desert climate (kTV). Winter is slightly cooler than summer, but dry.

Tropical belts. Tropical air masses all year (TV), predominance of continental tropical air (KTV). The pressure is high, the temperature is high, but in winter it is slightly lower than in summer. Significant annual and daily amplitude of temperature fluctuations. There is almost no precipitation, humidification is negligible, strong hot dry winds and dust storms... So dry hot climate called arid, and those parts tropical belts, in which such climatic conditions are typical - areas of a tropical, desert climate. The weather is clear, sunny and dry.

On the eastern coasts of the continents washed by warm currents, climatic conditions are different, the climatic region is different. These areas are called wet areas. tropical climate... It is dominated by marine tropical air (mTV), there is a lot of precipitation, especially in summer, and excessive moisture. Monsoons are typical. The weather is similar to the equatorial one.

Subtropical belts. Seasonal changes in air masses: tropical (TV) in summer, moderate (HC or PV) - in winter. The pressure is high in summer and relatively low in winter. There are significant seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation, but temperatures are positive throughout most of the year. Although short-term reductions are possible to negative values and even snowfall. On the plains, it quickly melts, in the mountains it can persist for several months. Trade winds prevail in summer, in winter - westerly winds.

Within the subtropical zones, four climatic regions are distinguished in accordance with the change in the properties of air masses when moving from the oceans to the interior of the continents.

Region Mediterranean climate - in western and southern coasts continents of the northern hemisphere. In summer, continental tropical air masses (KTV) dominate, in winter, marine and continental temperate air masses (MHC and AEC). Comparatively hot and dry summer, mild and wet winters. Continental area subtropical climate- in summer, continental tropical air (KTV) prevails, in winter - moderately continental air (KWV); hot and dry summers, cool relatively humid winters with unstable frontal weather. Generally, there is insufficient moisture.

Area of ​​monsoon subtropical climate- on the eastern coasts of the continents. The summer monsoon (mTV) generates heat and humidity, and the winter monsoon (SWM) is relatively cool and relatively dry. Humidification is sufficient, the total amount of precipitation is about 1000 mm, falling mainly in winter.

Region of marine subtropical climate- on the southern and eastern coasts of the continents of the southern hemisphere. In winter and summer, sea air masses prevail, so summers are cooler and winters warmer than in other areas subtropical belt... Humidification is high and uniform throughout the year.

Moderate belts. Moderate air masses (HC) dominate throughout the year, but invasions by TV (especially in summer) and AB (usually in winter) are possible. Large seasonal temperature differences: summers are warm, sometimes hot, winters are cold, frosty, and long. Atmosphere pressure relatively low during the year, intense cyclonic and frontal activity, generating instability of climatic and weather conditions, especially in winter. Westerly winds throughout the year, northeasterly winds often blow in winter, and trade winds sometimes blow in summer. In winter, a long and stable snow cover is observed in many regions of the belt. Within the temperate zone, the properties of air masses change from west to east, especially in the northern hemisphere, therefore, five climatic regions are distinguished within the temperate zone:

Region of maritime temperate climate- on the western coasts of the continents, it is formed under the influence of MSW, which forms above warm currents and is brought by the prevailing westerly winds. Mild summers, mild winters, a lot of precipitation, especially in winter heavy snowfalls. Precipitation is frontal and orographic, moisture is excessive, the weather is very unstable.

Region of moderate continental climate- MEV and kUV replace each other, although the latter prevails, summers are warm, winters are cold, AV invasions cause significant cooling, TV - climate warming. Average amount of precipitation, in summer it falls more than in winter. Prevailing precipitation is frontal and cyclonic.

Only in the northern hemisphere. Throughout the year - kUV, kAV intrusions are not uncommon, including in summer. Summers in the north are cool, in the south they are warm, sometimes hot, winters are frosty. The annual amount of precipitation is insignificant; in summer it falls a little more. Low winter soil temperatures and little snow support the existence of permafrost.

A region of sharply continental climate- in the interior regions of Eurasia and North America completely isolated from the seas and oceans and under the influence of centers high pressure... Winters are very frosty, summers are sometimes hot, everywhere - permafrost... The amount of precipitation is insignificant, moisture is insufficient, weak winds. Anticyclonic type of weather.

Monsoon climate area- on the eastern coasts of the continents. Seasonal change of air masses: summer monsoon (mUV) - warm and humid, winter (kUV) - very cold and dry; the influence of the Asian and Canadian centers of high atmospheric pressure. The amount of summer precipitation is 10 - 20 times more than winter; excessive moisture.

Subarctic and subantarctic belts. Moderate air masses (HC) in summer and Arctic and Antarctic air masses (AB) in winter. Large seasonal fluctuations in air temperature, continuous distribution permafrost... In summer - westerly winds, in winter - northeastern or southeastern. Two climatic regions:

Continental climate area- the north of Eurasia and North America. Cool damp summers, severe, long winters with little snow, little precipitation, excessive moisture, large swampy conditions.

Area of ​​the marine (oceanic) climate- in the north of Europe, around Antarctica. Cool summers, relatively mild winters, quite a lot of precipitation (up to 500 mm), constant fogs.

Arctic and Antarctic belts. AB throughout the year, very cold winters and summers, little precipitation, strong winds(in the north - northeastern, in the south - southeast). Two climatic regions:

Continental Antarctic (Arctic) climate area- in Antarctica, Greenland and the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Whole year negative temperatures, little precipitation (less than 100 mm).

Oceanic climate region- in the Arctic, temperatures are negative, but during the polar day they reach + 5 ° С, there is little precipitation, but cyclones are frequent.

The temperate belt is one of two geographic zones the globe... In the Northern Hemisphere, moderate climatic zone located between 40 ° and 65 ° N, in the South - between 42 ° and 58 ° S. The territory lying in these belts accounts for 25% of the planet's surface area. This is much larger than the area of ​​territories occupied by any other climatic zone. In the Northern Hemisphere, up to 55% of the territory falls on land, in the Southern - only 2%, the rest is occupied by the ocean.

A characteristic feature of the temperate zone is the change in temperature clearly according to the seasons of the year. This is the reason for the periodicity of climatic, biological and hydrological processes.

There are four seasons:
1. Two main ones - Cold winter and hot summer.
2. Two transitional - autumn and spring.

Temperatures less than 0 ° С are typical for winter, more than + 15 ° С for summer. IN cold season permanent snow cover is formed. Average annual quantity precipitation is 400-500 mm, in summer period can be increased up to 750 mm. Towards the outskirts of the continents, the amount of precipitation increases to 1500-2000 mm. Throughout the year, the western transport of air masses is carried out in the troposphere, due to which, as well as active cyclonic activity, there is a transfer of water vapor from the oceans to the continents and an inter-latitudinal exchange of thermal energy. According to the characteristics of summer and winter, subtypes of a temperate climate are distinguished: temperate continental, maritime, monsoon, sharply continental.

On the land of the temperate zone, there is a significant volume of surface runoff, as well as a high fluidity of waters, which provoke intense erosional dissection. the earth's surface... The flow in the Northern Hemisphere decreases from north to south. The temperate zone is characterized by the presence a large number lakes.

Subspecies of temperate climates

Throughout the temperate zone, there is a variety of vegetation, except for evergreen forms. The most common type of vegetation in the temperate zone is forests (taiga, mixed, broad-leaved). In some areas, due to insufficient moisture, steppe landscapes are formed. Accordingly, the fauna is mainly represented by forest forms of animals that lead a sedentary lifestyle. Inhabitants open spaces are less common.

Natural conditions, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, are varied, which is explained by large drops in humidity and heat, changes in the direction of the winds. This is due vigorous activity cyclones. On land, there are three types of sectors: inland, western oceanic, and eastern oceanic. The boundaries between them are blurred. In the first and second sectors, such landscape zones are distinguished as the solar radiation and moisture reduction: forest, forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert, desert natural zones. Landscapes are characteristic of the eastern riparian sectors forest zones, the formation of which occurs in a monsoon climate, which is especially pronounced in East Asia.

Land development of the temperate zone economic activities human reaches the highest level in the Atlantic regions of Europe and North America. Industrial anthropogenic landscapes are observed there. In the steppe and forest-steppe inland regions, agricultural anthropogenic landscapes are widespread.

IN temperate latitudes ah, there are large seasonal differences in radiation conditions. In summer, the radiation balance of the underlying surface is high and in areas with little cloudiness approaches the conditions tropical latitudes, in winter on the continents it is negative.

Moderate latitudes are also the scene of the most intense cyclonic activity on the polar and arctic fronts, so the weather regime is very variable here. Frequent invasions of air masses, both from polar and subtropical latitudes, and, consequently, sharp changes in temperature.

In the Northern Hemisphere, there are large differences in the circulation conditions on the continents and oceans, which determine sharply expressed types of marine and continental climates.
In the predominantly oceanic Southern Hemisphere, the continental type of climate in temperate latitudes is practically absent.

Very significant differences in climate exist on the western and eastern margins of the temperate continents. The climate of the western shores, subject to the predominant influence of sea air masses, is transitional from sea to continental; it is often referred to simply as marine. The eastern shores have a monsoon type of climate, especially in Asia.

In the temperate zone B.P. Alisov identifies the following four types of climate: continental, maritime climate of the western parts of the continents, monsoon climate eastern parts continents and oceanic.

Continental climate of temperate latitudes. This type of climate is found on the continents of Eurasia and North America. It is characterized by warm summer and in cold winters with stable snow cover. Annual amplitude temperatures are high and grows with distance inland. Humidification conditions vary both from south to north and from west to east.

In the southern part of the temperate latitudes of Eurasia, a high pressure regime prevails in winter.
On climatological maps, it is in these latitudes that the center of the famous winter Asian anticyclone with a spur directed to the southern part of Europe is located. Therefore, winter precipitation is small here and decreases with distance inland. For this reason, the snow cover is low, and in Transbaikalia, near the center of the anticyclone, it reaches negligible values, despite a very harsh winter.

In summer, in the southern part of the temperate latitudes of Eurasia, anticyclones of a subtropical type are also frequent, contributing to hot and dry weather. Summer precipitation is higher, but it is also insufficient due to high evaporation at high summer temperatures, so moisture in the southern part of temperate latitudes is insufficient. In general, 200-450 mm of precipitation falls here per year. As a result, starting from Moldova, through Ukraine, the southern part European territory Russia and further beyond the Urals, up to Mongolia inclusive, stretch the steppes, in which dry conditions are often created in summer. IN Caspian lowland the steppes turn into a semi-desert, and beyond the Urals, in the northern part of the Turan lowland (Kazakhstan), even into a desert, i.e. in an area with a constantly dry (arid) climate. In Kherson (46.6 ° N, 32.6 ° E) average temperature July + 23 ° С, January –4 ° С; annual precipitation is 380 mm. In Akhtuba (48.3 ° N, 46 ° E) in July + 25 ° С, in January –9 ° С; precipitation per year 240 mm. In Balkhash (46.9 ° N, 75.0 ° E) in July + 24 ° С,
in January –15 ° С; precipitation per year 127 mm. Above the same latitude, with distance to the east, winter temperatures decrease and precipitation decreases, landscapes change: from steppe through semi-desert to desert.

In the higher latitudes of the temperate zone of Eurasia, summers are less hot, but still very warm, winters are more severe (for each given longitude), large annual precipitation
(300-600 mm). Continentality also grows from west to east (mainly due to a decrease in winter temperatures): annual temperature amplitudes increase and precipitation decreases. The snow cover is higher here and lasts longer. This is a zone of mixed or deciduous forests... Let's compare the conditions in some of its points. In Moscow (55.8 ° N, 37.6 ° E) the average temperature in July is + 18 ° С, in January –10 ° С; annual precipitation is 600 mm. In Kazan (55.8 ° N, 49 ° E) in July + 20 ° С, in January -13 ° С; precipitation per year 459 mm. In Novosibirsk (55.0 ° N, 82.9 ° E) in July + 19 ° С, in January –19 ° С; precipitation per year 425 mm. The maximum precipitation is everywhere in the summer.

Further north is the taiga zone, which stretches from Scandinavia to the Pacific Ocean, with the same patterns in climate change from west to east, but with a greater severity of winter. Southern border the taiga zones in the eastward direction will mix to lower latitudes.
In Transbaikalia, the taiga climate already directly borders on the steppe climate; the zone of deciduous forests between taiga and steppe disappears here. To the north, the taiga and its climate reach the farthest in Taimyr. Summer in the taiga zone is as hot as in more low latitudes but the winter is even colder. It is due to the severity of winter that the climate in the eastern part of the taiga zone reaches the greatest continentality. In general, the amount of precipitation is the same as in the deciduous forest zone; moisture is generally sufficient, in Western Siberia leading even to waterlogging.
In Kargopol (61.5 ° N, 38.9 ° E) the average temperature in July is + 17 ° С, in January –12 °; precipitation per year 540 mm. In Yeniseisk (58.4 ° N, 92 ° E) in July + 18 ° С, in January –223С; precipitation per year 460 mm. In Yakutsk (62.0 ° N, 129.6 ° E) in July + 19 ° C. in January –44 ° С; precipitation per year 190 mm. It is in Yakutia that the continental climate reaches its greatest value.

On the mainland of North America, the same types of continental climates of temperate latitudes are found. They are distributed very complexly, partly under the influence of orography. In the west of the inner part of the continent, protected by the Rocky Mountains from air masses from the Pacific Ocean, deserts and steppes prevail, in the east - deciduous forests... Farther north most of Canada is occupied by taiga, which extends especially far north into Alaska. Accordingly, are distributed and climatic conditions... Here are the data for some of the stations.

IN steppe zone, in Salt Lake City (40.8 ° N, 112 ° W), at a considerable height above sea level (1300 m), the average temperature in July is + 25 ° С, in January –2 ° С; precipitation per year 395 mm. In the zone of deciduous forests, in Chicago (41.9 ° N, 87.6 ° W), in July the average temperature is + 23 ° С, in January –4 ° С; precipitation per year 815 mm.

In more northern latitudes in the taiga zone, at Prince Albert station (53.2 ° N, 105.6 ° W), the average July temperatures are + 17 ° C. January –20 ° С; precipitation per year 406 mm.

A special kind of continental climate is the climate of mountainous regions in temperate latitudes. In the mountainous regions of the Tien Shan, precipitation is more abundant than in the Turan lowland and in the Pamirs. IN favorable conditions relief they can exceed 2000 mm; precipitation decreases from west to east. The temperatures here are, of course, lower than in the lowlands. For example, in Przhevalsk (42.4 ° N, 78.4 ° E, 1744 m) in July + 17 ° С, in January –7.1 о С.

In the high-mountainous region of Sayan and Altai temperature regime very diverse and depends on the height and relief. Significant precipitation on windward slopes (in Western Altai up to 1500 mm and more) and small on the southern slopes and in closed basins (in Altai less than 200 mm).
In the Sayan Mountains on the western and northwestern slopes, the annual precipitation exceeds 1000 mm. Therefore, a large snow cover accumulates on the windward slopes and the snow line decreases.

In North America, very large quantities precipitation falls on the windward slopes of the Cascade Mountains, more than 2000 mm per year. The maximum precipitation due to increased cyclonic activity occurs in winter, and the snow cover in some places exceeds 5 m. Rocky mountains There is less precipitation: on the western slopes up to 1000 mm, in the valleys in places only 150-200 mm. Average January temperatures in the inner valleys and on the plateau are about –5 - 10 ° С and below. Very sharp temperature fluctuations in winter are often associated with the phene on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains. There were such cases as an increase in temperature in January with a hair dryer from –31 to + 19 ° С, however, for a considerable time (several tens of hours). Summers are dry and cool, but, of course, temperatures depend on both latitude and altitude.

Special climatic conditions of high steppes and semi-deserts are observed in Mongolia. At altitudes of 700–1200 m and higher, there are warm summers and very cold winters with little snow; precipitation is generally very small and falls mainly in summer, since in winter it is the region of the central part of the winter Asian anticyclone. In Ulan Bator (47.9 ° N, 106.8 ° E, 1309 m) the average temperature in July is + 17 ° С, in January –28 ° С; very large daily temperature ranges. Precipitation (243 mm per year) falls mainly from May to September. In Jargalant (Kobdo) (47.9 ° N 91.6 "E 1370 m) precipitation is even less, about 122 mm, and the precipitation is typical summer, winter is almost snowless.

The climate of the western parts of the continents in temperate latitudes. In the western parts of Eurasia and North America in temperate latitudes, the transfer of sea air masses to the mainland both in winter and in summer sharply prevails. Therefore, the climate here bears a strong imprint of oceanic influences and is maritime climate... It is characterized by not very hot summers and mild winters without stable snow cover, sufficient precipitation and more or less uniform seasonal distribution. It defines the landscape broadleaf forests and meadows. Precipitation increases sharply on the western slopes of the mountains.

In North America, due to the presence of the Cascade and Rocky Mountains, this type of climate is limited to a relatively narrow coastal area. IN Western Europe it spreads inland with a gradual increase in continentality. For example, in Paris (48.8 ° N, 2.5 o E) the average temperature in July is + 18 ° С, and in January + 3 ° С; precipitation per year 613 mm.
At higher latitudes, in Bergen (60.4 ° N, 5.3 ° E), in July, precipitation of 1730 mm - the influence of orography affects (Bergen lies to the west of the Scandinavian mountains, on the coast). Behind the ridge, inside and in the east of the peninsula, the climate becomes continental. In Stockholm, for example, in July + 16 ° С, in February –3 ° С, and annual precipitation is 540 mm with a summer maximum; in terms of landscape, this is already the south of the taiga zone.

In Europe east of Berlin, the climate becomes continental. Within Russia, this type of climate turns into continental climate temperate latitudes described above. The largest amounts of precipitation fall in this type of climate in Europe on the windward slopes of the mountains. Above, a large amount of precipitation is indicated for Bergen, but at some stations of the Alps, more than 2500 mm falls per year.

The maritime climate for western North America is characterized by data from Sitka station in Alaska (57, H N, 135.3 ° W), where in August + 13 ° С, in January 0 ° С; the annual precipitation is 2343 mm. But on the slopes of the Cascade Mountains, even larger amounts of precipitation fall - from 3000 to 6000 mm. Such a huge amount of precipitation is also associated with the pronounced influence of topography.

The climate of the eastern parts of the continents in temperate latitudes. In the east of Asia, the climate is typically monsoon. Monsoons of temperate latitudes are a continuation of monsoons of tropical and subtropical, they are very pronounced and are observed approximately up to the latitude of northern Sakhalin. The south of Kamchatka is free of them, and over the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and over the north of Kamchatka only a monsoon tendency is found. Thus, a moderate monsoon climate is observed in Primorsky Krai, northeastern China, northern Japan and Sakhalin.

In winter, the outskirts of the continent are shown at the periphery of the Asian anticyclone, and here the transport of cold air from Eastern Siberia, therefore, the winter is slightly cloudy and dry with significant cold and a sharp minimum of precipitation. In summer, cyclonic activity with fairly abundant precipitation dominates over eastern Asia. An example is the data for Khabarovsk (48.5 ° N, 135.0 ° E), where the average temperature in July is +21 ° С, in January –22 ° С and precipitation is 569 mm per year, from which for the winter half-year (October – March) is only 99 mm.

The situation is more complicated in Japan, where cyclones with frontal precipitation are quite frequent in winter, which is further intensified by orography. In summer, on the contrary, there is a relative minimum of precipitation in the middle of the season due to the retreat of cyclonic activity to the north.
As a result, winter can be as rich in precipitation as summer. In Sapporo (43.1 ° N, 141.4 ° E) the average temperature in August is +21 о С, in January –6 ° С; precipitation 1078 mm per year, with 560 mm in the winter and 518 mm in the summer.

IN northern regions Russian Primorye, where the monsoon wind regime is weak or absent, winter is softer due to strong cyclonic activity and the distribution of precipitation throughout the year is even. Thus, at Klyuchi station in Kamchatka (56 ° N, 160 ° E) the average temperature in July is + 15 ° С, in January –17 ° С; precipitation is 562 mm per year, of which 314 mm falls on the winter half of the year.

On the Atlantic coast In Canada and Newfoundland, the monsoon circulation is weak or absent. Winters are not as cold as in eastern Asia, and summers are warm enough. For example, in Halifax (44.6 ° N, 63.6 ° W) in July and August the average temperature is + 18 ° С, and in January –4 ° С; precipitation per year is 1386 mm, and their distribution over the seasons is quite even.

In South America, the whole of Patagonia can be attributed to the climate of the eastern part of the continent in temperate latitudes, approximately from 38 to 52 ° S. and from the foothills of the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. The peculiar geographic setting of the area also creates a peculiar semi-desert climate in close proximity to the ocean. The reason is that from the influence of sea air masses from the Pacific Ocean, Patagonia is closed by the Andes. At the same time, cold air masses of Antarctic origin freely penetrate here from the south. The Atlantic air, occasionally invading Patagonia, preliminarily passes over the cold waters of the Falkland Current, where it becomes stably stratified, and therefore also does not give large precipitation.

In most of Patagonia, the annual precipitation is 120-200 mm, and in summer months there are very few of them, no more than 20–30 mm in three months. The average January temperature is from + 20 ° С in the north to + 10 ° С in the south, i.e. summer is colder compared to deserts Northern hemisphere under the same latitudes. The average July temperature is close to + 5 ° С, but at high plateaus it drops to –5 ° С; consequently, winters are considerably milder than in the extratropical deserts of the Northern Hemisphere. On the low coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the south of Patagonia, in Santa Cruz (50.0 ° S, 68.5 ° W), precipitation falls only 171 mm per year, the average January temperature is + 15 ° C, and June and July + 2 ° С.

Oceanic climate in temperate latitudes. Atlantic and Pacific oceans large areas in temperate latitudes of both hemispheres, and Indian Ocean- in the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. The prevailing westerly transport is better expressed over the oceans than over the continents, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Wind speeds are higher than over continents. In the 40s and 50s latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, between the zone of subtropical anticyclones and subantarctic latitudes, where the centers of deep cyclones most often pass, the average wind speed is 10–15 m / s. Storms are frequent and prolonged here; the sailors called the 40th latitude of the Southern Hemisphere Roaring for a reason. The temperature distribution over the oceans is more zonal than over the continents at the same latitudes, and the differences between winter and summer are less pronounced.
Due to the cold summer, the tundra landscape is located on oceanic islands in such low latitudes, in which there is still no tundra on the continents. Thus, the Aleutian and Commander Islands are covered with tundra at 55–52 ° N: in the Southern Hemisphere, the tundra covers the Falkland Islands at 52 ° S, South Georgia Island, the South Orkney Islands, etc.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the western parts of the oceans in winter are noticeably colder than the eastern ones due to the frequent intrusions of cold air masses from the continents. In summer, the difference is smaller. Cloudiness over the oceans of temperate latitudes is large and precipitation is significant, especially in subpolar latitudes, where the deepest cyclones are observed.

In the zone between 40 and 60 ° N lat. in both oceans of the Northern Hemisphere, the average August temperatures are between +22 and + 8 ° С. In February in Atlantic Ocean- from +15 to –10 ° С, but in the Pacific Ocean it is much lower - from +10 to –10 ° С. In general, the temperature difference between the 40th and 60th latitudes decreases from winter to summer. Annual amplitudes here are of the order of 10–15 ° С. In the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperatures of these oceans are between 40 and 60 ° S latitude. in February from +15 to 0 ° С, in August from +10 to –10 ° С. The prevailing westerly winds are very strong and stable here, storms are frequent.

The temperate climatic zone occupies vast territories of our planet, mainly in the northern hemisphere. It occupies a large part of North America (USA and Canada), Europe and Asia. IN southern hemisphere its distribution is limited. It is also distributed in the most southern parts South America, Tasmania and south island New Zealand. In a temperate climate zone, four seasons can be distinguished - winter, spring, summer and autumn.

Depending on the proximity to large water basins, we distinguish two types of temperate climates - oceanic and continental. In continental climates, cold winters and hot summers. The difference between summer and winter temperatures reaches 40 and more degrees C. The continental type of climate can be found in central parts North America, of Eastern Europe and Asia

Another type of temperate climate is oceanic. It is located on the west coast of North America, in Western Europe, as well as on the southern island of New Zealand. Best known for her oceanic climate country - Great Britain. For example, in London in January, temperatures vary between 5-10 ° C. In July, the interval is 20-25 ° C. The weather is generally rainy and cloudy, but mild. For example, New York, where the climate is moderately continental, often interrupts extremely cold winters with snow storms and temperatures from (-10) ° C, sometimes even lower. At the same time, summer temperatures can reach 40 ° C. The temperate climate zone is home to most of the human population, because it
easy to carry for a person. In temperate latitudes there are many large world famous cities - New York, London, Paris, Moscow, Beijing, Chicago, Toronto, etc. climatic zone very rich variety plant species, and also most of all there are deciduous and conifers... IN In some parts of the world, these latitudes have vast areas of grassy vegetation called steppes (also known as prairies). Prairies occupy wide areas in the central part of the United States and Canada, as well as large parts of Ukraine, etc.

The fauna is represented here by bears, wolves, foxes, wild cats, jackals, tigers (Asia), etc. Some animals (for example, a bear) have adapted to the temperate climate by hibernating winter months... This is a good decision, because the bear is a large animal and needs huge number food, but in winter there are not many opportunities for abundant food in the forest.

In the direction from north to south, our country is located in the arctic, subarctic and temperate climatic zones. But significant climate changes are observed within each belt: both when moving from west to east (climatic regions), and when moving from north to south (zonal). So, for example, there are five subtypes of the temperate climatic zone: temperate continental, continental, sharply continental, monsoon and climate east coasts... Each type is characterized by its own temperature regime, precipitation regime, prevailing types of weather according to the seasons of the year.

Arctic climatic zone (climate of arctic deserts and tundra)

It is typical for the coast of Russia and for the islands located in the ocean. Arctic air masses dominate this climate all year round. In winter, the temperature drops to -40-50 ° С, and in summer it is not higher than 4 ° С. Much of the solar radiation is reflected by the surface of the snow. The passage of cyclones is associated here, the weakening of frosts and heavy snowfalls. The amount of precipitation is up to 300mm, however, excessive humidification due to low volatility.

Subarctic belt (climate of tundra and forest-tundra)

This type of climate is typical for the territory located beyond the Arctic Circle, and in the eastern regions it extends to almost 60 ° N. In summer, humid air masses come here from temperate latitudes, so the summer is cool here (from + 5 ° С in the north to + 14 ° С in the south), but frosts are also possible. In winter, the weather in this climate is influenced by the arctic air masses, so winters are long here and their severity increases from west to east (temperatures can reach -50 ° C). Due to the passage of arctic cyclones, this climate is characterized by large clouds and strong winds. The annual amount of precipitation is up to 600 mm, their maximum falls on summer. Humidification factor here more than one, as low temperatures contribute to low evaporation, which leads to waterlogging of territories.

Temperate climate

Since this climate is typical for large territory Russia, then inside it there are differences in temperature and humidification of different areas associated with the spread of different air masses. In moderate, five types are distinguished, replacing each other from west to east.

Moderate continental climate

It is typical for the European part of Russia. The influence of the Atlantic is great here, from where all year round humid sea air masses arrive, relatively warm in winter and cool in summer. Summers are warm here (up to + 24 ° С), winters are mild (from -4 ° С to -20 ° С), with frequent thaws. There is 600-800 mm of precipitation, and the largest number precipitation falls on the western regions. The change in moisture from excessive to insufficient in the area of ​​dominance of the temperate continental climate contributes to the formation of a change in the European part of Russia natural areas from taiga to steppe.

Continental climate