Climate

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Climate describes the typical weather in a region over a long period of time. The equator is an imaginary line that runs through the center of the Earth. The climate in a region depends on its distance from the equator along with other factors such as rainfall, elevation or distance from the ocean.

Northern Alaska is far from the equator. The climate is very cold and dry. Most precipitation falls as snow.

The Amazon River Basin is close to the equator. It is warm and wet all year round.

The climate in different regions can be different in many ways. Scientists often describe a climate by its average temperature and precipitation at different times of the year.

Describe the climate in your area. How does the climate change throughout the year?

The Egyptian desert has a hot and dry climate.

The Antarctic region is very far from the equator. It is very cold and dry all year round.

Think Deeply

What types of precipitation fall in tropical climates? Explain your answer.

Tropical Climates

Tropical climates are close to the equator. The temperature is warm and does not change much throughout the year. Precipitation is high all year round too. Generally, tropical climates do not have four distinct seasons. Instead, they have a wet season and a dry season. Many of the world’s rainforests are located in tropical climates. Being wet and warm all year round, tropical rainforests are the most diverse land habitats on Earth.

Why don’t tropical climates experience four seasons?

A tropical rainforest in Thailand.

A park in a temperate climate during summer.

A park in a temperate climate during winter.

A temperate climate during fall.

Temperate Climates

Temperate climates are located between tropical climates and the Earth’s poles. Temperate climates usually have four seasons – summer, fall, winter and spring. The temperature can change a lot from day to day and also from season to season. It is hottest in the summer and coldest in the winter.

Precipitation is lower than in tropical climates, but it may rain throughout the year.

How are temperate climates different from tropical climates?

Did You Know?

Compared to tropical climates, the weather in temperate climates can vary a lot from day to day. It may be hot and sunny one day, then cloudy and cold the next.

Continental Climates

Continental climates are climates located far from the ocean and usually in temperate areas. The temperature in continental climates follows the seasons. It is often very hot in summer and cold in winter.

Precipitation is low and often occurs during summer. During winter, it may get cold enough for precipitation to fall as snow.

Coastal Climates

Coastal climates are located close to the ocean, often between a mountain range and the coast. Differences in air temperature cause wind and rain to move in a pattern between the ocean and the land. This results in a climate that is cool and wet.

Alpine Climates

Polar Climates

The height of an area above sea level affects its climate. Generally, the higher above sea level, the colder the temperature. Alpine climates, also called mountain climates, are often cold all year round. It is often much colder at night compared to the day. Mountains have little soil and the ground is often covered in ice or snow. Generally, trees cannot survive in alpine climates.

Polar climates are cold all year round. There are cool summers and very cold winters. There are few trees and the ground is often covered in ice. Polar regions do not get direct heat and sunlight from the Sun. There are very long days in summer and very short days in winter.

Did You Know?

The Earth has two poles – the North Pole and the South Pole. The region surrounding the North Pole is called the Arctic. The region surrounding the South Pole is called the Antarctic.

AB Activity 9.9