Chapter 13: Global climate

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Global climateGlobal climate

A world with many climatesA world with many climates Climatic classification - the Köppen Climatic classification - the Köppen

systemsystem The global pattern of climateThe global pattern of climate

A world with many A world with many climatesclimates

Global temperaturesGlobal temperatures

controls on climate:controls on climate:- intensity of sunshine and its variation - intensity of sunshine and its variation with latitudewith latitude- distribution of land and water- distribution of land and water- ocean currents- ocean currents- prevailing winds- prevailing winds- location of high and low pressure areas- location of high and low pressure areas- mountain barriers- mountain barriers- altitude- altitude

‘‘bending’ of isotherms near continentsbending’ of isotherms near continents

Global precipitationGlobal precipitation

relationship to areas of rising and relationship to areas of rising and sinking airsinking air

influence of ITCZinfluence of ITCZ influence of orographic uplift and influence of orographic uplift and

rain shadowsrain shadows

• Precipitation is most abundant where air rises,Precipitation is most abundant where air rises,and least abundant where it sinks.and least abundant where it sinks.

Climatic Climatic classification - the classification - the

Köppen systemKöppen system

Climatic classification - Climatic classification - the Köppen systemthe Köppen system

Tropical moist climatesTropical moist climates dry climatesdry climates moist midlatitude climates with mild moist midlatitude climates with mild

winterswinters moist midlatitude climates with severe moist midlatitude climates with severe

winterswinters polar climatespolar climates criticisms of the Köppen climate criticisms of the Köppen climate

classification systemclassification system• The The KöppenKöppen climate classification system was firstclimate classification system was first

published in 1918.published in 1918.

The global pattern The global pattern of climateof climate

The global pattern of The global pattern of climateclimate

Major features of Earth’s climate Major features of Earth’s climate distribution distribution

local variations within larger climate local variations within larger climate regionsregions

Tropical moist climates Tropical moist climates (Group A)(Group A)

tropical wet (Af)tropical wet (Af)

• Tropical rain forests and monsoons are included in this categoryTropical rain forests and monsoons are included in this category

Tropical moist climates Tropical moist climates (Group A)(Group A)

tropical monsoon (Am)tropical monsoon (Am)

Tropical moist climates Tropical moist climates (Group A)(Group A)

tropical wet and dry (Aw)tropical wet and dry (Aw)

Dry climates (Group B)Dry climates (Group B)

arid (BW)arid (BW)

• Deserts and steppes are included in this categoryDeserts and steppes are included in this category

Dry climates (Group B)Dry climates (Group B)

semiarid (BS)semiarid (BS)

Moist subtropical mid-Moist subtropical mid-latitude climates (Group latitude climates (Group

C)C) humid subtropical (CfA)humid subtropical (CfA)

• Hot, muggy summers and relatively mild winters are typical Hot, muggy summers and relatively mild winters are typical of this categoryof this category

Moist subtropical mid-Moist subtropical mid-latitude climates (Group latitude climates (Group

C)C) marine (CfB)marine (CfB)

Moist subtropical mid-Moist subtropical mid-latitude climates (Group latitude climates (Group

C)C) Mediterranean (Cs)Mediterranean (Cs)

Moist continental Moist continental climates (Group D)climates (Group D)

humid continental with hot summers humid continental with hot summers (Dfa)(Dfa)

• This category is sometimes referred to as a Mediterranean climateThis category is sometimes referred to as a Mediterranean climate

Moist continental Moist continental climates (Group D)climates (Group D)

humid continental with cool humid continental with cool summers (Dfb)summers (Dfb)

Moist continental Moist continental climates (Group D)climates (Group D)

subpolar (Dfc)subpolar (Dfc)

Polar climates (Group E)Polar climates (Group E)

polar tundra (ET)polar tundra (ET)

• This climate is not necessarily found at in the polarThis climate is not necessarily found at in the polarregions; it is sometimes found at high altitudes. There,regions; it is sometimes found at high altitudes. There,however, it is called a Highland climate (Group H).however, it is called a Highland climate (Group H).

Polar climates (Group E)Polar climates (Group E)

polar ice caps (EF)polar ice caps (EF)

Highland climates Highland climates (Group H)(Group H)

altitude effects are similar to altitude effects are similar to latitude effectslatitude effects