World Climates

TUNDRA is a biome where the trees growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons.

SUBARTIC This climate is inteirmediary between moderate climate and very cold climate. The summers are colder and the winters more rigorous than in the moderate climate. It is possible to find this type of climate only in the northern hemisphere: the extreme North-East of the United States, Canada, major part of Russia and the North-East of China.

MARINE WEST COAST The marine or humid west coast climate is exactly what its name describes. This climate is found on the west coast of midlatitude continents and is very humid through most of the year. Its geographic location places it, in the path of westerly winds from the ocean that bring cloudy skies, precipitation, and mild temperatures. The distribution of the climate is greatly influenced by the orientation of mountain systems in North America and Europe.

HUMID CONTINENTAL is a climate found over large areas of landmasses in the temperate regions of the mid-latitudes where there is a zone of conflict between polar and tropical air masses.

MEDITERRANEAN the climate of the lands in theMediterranean Basin, which includes most of the area with this climate type worldwide. Beyond areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, this climatic type prevails in much of California, in northwestern Mexico, in parts of Western andSouth Australia, in southwestern South Africa, and in parts of central Chile and west-central Argentina.

HUMID SUBTROPICAL is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and cool winters. This climate type covers a broad category of climates, and the term "subtropical" may be a misnomer for the winter climate.

DESERT The tropical desert is an environment of extremes: it is the driest and hottest place on earth. Rainfall is sporadic and in some years no measurable precipitation falls at all. The terribly dry conditions of the deserts is due to the year-round influence of subtropical high pressure and continentality.

MONSOON The tropical monsoon climate experiences abundant rainfall like that of the tropical rain forest climate, but it is concentrated in the high-sun season. Being located near the equator, the tropical monsoon climate experiences warm temperatures throughout the year.

TROPICAL DRY-WET is located on the poleward sides of the tropical wet climates, positioned between them and the tropical dry climates. This location places the climate at an intermediate position between the ITCZ and the Subtropical High. As a result, the climate experiences a distinct seasonality to its precipitation like that of the tropical monsoon climate. Also known as the "Savanna" climate, it supports a ground cover of drought resistant grasses with scattered trees, but not enough rainfall to make agriculture a viable, life sustaining activity.

EQUATORIAL The temperature of the equatorial regions is hot throughout the year, with a very low temperature range usually of less than 3 degrees celsius. It is also a very wet climate with annual precipitation often more than 2000 mm. It is a simple climate type to identify, as the line on the climate graph is almost straight.

*aldara*