Tropical Wet Climate
Where is it Usually Located?
Tropical Wet is only found along the equator, usually within 25 degrees of the equator because. Large
areas of Tropical Wet are found in Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, and the
Philippines.
What Seasons Does it Have?
Seasons don't change in Tropical Wet, so there is only 1 season. As our Earth revolves around the sun
the equator always receives direct sunlight and warmth throughout the entire year. Direct sunlight is
different than indirect sunlight. Indirect sunlight may not deliver warmth--similar to the light that hits
the polar areas, but direct sunlight mean light and warmth.
What are the Temperatures like?
Temperatures stay the same throughout most of the year because these areas are found along the
equator and receive constant direct sunlight. The average temperature is about 80 degrees (27 Celsius).
The temperatures feel hotter because the humidity is usually very high. Humidity is the amount of
water in the air. Daytime temperatures rarely go over 93 degrees, and nighttime temperatures rarely go
below 68 degrees.
How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
Tropical Wet gets its name from the regular rainfall it receives throughout the year. It sometimes rains
every day--usually in the morning or early afternoon. The reason it rains so much here is because of the
regular warm temperatures, which evaporate water and keep the humidity high. Most areas of Tropical
Wet receive over 100 inches of rain per year, although some receive nearly 300 inches per year.
What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) Does it Have?
The constant rain and direct sunlight at the equator allow tropical rainforests to develop. This is the
only climate that can support true rainforests. Tropical rainforests only cover 6% of the Earth's surface,
yet they produce 40% of the oxygen and support nearly half of all plant and animal species known to
Earth. These forests are so packed full of trees they top layer (canopy layer) often blocks all sunlight
from reaching the forest floor. The picture below shows the layers of a tropical rainforest.
What Kind of Animals does it Usually Have?
Since the main vegetation is forests, monkeys are common in Tropical Wet. Snakes, frogs, birds, and
small mammals are also found here. The largest group of animals are insects. Many of the animals in
the rainforest are brightly colored, have tails, and unique calls (sounds)--all important survival
characteristics in a thick forest.
Tropical Wet and Dry Climate
Where is it Usually Located?
Tropical Wet/Dry is found near the equator, usually on the outer edges of Tropical Wet climate areas.
The largest areas of Tropical Wet/Dry are found in Africa, Brazil, and India.
What Seasons Does it Have?
There are only 2 seasons: wet season (summer) and dry season (winter). Usually the dry season is
longer. During the dry seasons plant life and animal life suffers, but as the rainy season begins life
flourishes in this area. This climate is caused by changing wind and ocean currents.
What are the Temperatures like?
During the wet season, temperatures average about 77 degrees. During the dry season, temperatures
average about 68 degrees. The temperatures stay high throughout the year because of the latitude
where this climate occurs. Areas near the equator receive constant direct sunlight and therefore, heat.
The slight difference in temperature is enough to change the wind patterns and keep this area dry for
much of the year, until the winds shift and the rainy season begins.
How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
The change in precipitation is what gives this climate type is name. Precipitation only falls during the
summer months, usually from May-August with June and July having the heaviest rain. The whole dry
season usually has less than 4 inches of rain. During the wet season, at least 25 inches will fall. Some
areas of Tropical Wet and Dry in the path of monsoon winds can receive incredible amounts of rain.
Cherepunji, India once received over 1,000 inches of rain in a year! Northern Madagascar has the
record for rain in one day--71 inches! Mawsynram, India is known as the "wettest place on earth"
because they average 467 inches of rain per year. These incredible rainfall records are due to seasonal
winds called monsoon, which bring dangerous amounts of rain.
What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) does it have?
The lack of regular rainfall prevents most trees from surviving in Tropical Wet and Dry. So, the most
common vegetation are type’s grasses and shrubs with a few scattered trees. These types of plants
have adapted to long periods of dry weather. The large grasslands are often called savannas.
What Kind of Animals does it Usually Have?
The grasslands of Tropical Wet and Dry support many herbivores (plant eaters) who graze in the grasses.
Most of these animals usually migrate and run in large herds for safety. Examples include wildebeests,
gazelles, zebras, elephants, giraffes, etc. Many carnivores (meat eaters) follow and hunt the herbivores.
Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and large birds hunt the savannas of Africa.
Mediterranean Climate
Where is it Usually Located?
Mediterranean climate is found between the 30o and 45o degree latitudes. This climate is often found
on the western sides of continents. Mediterranean climate gets its name from the climate found around
the Mediterranean Sea.
What Seasons Does it Have?
Mediterranean climate is very mild (few extreme temperatures), so it really on has 2 seasons: summer
and winter. Summers are longer than winter, and the winter is very mild. Very few places experience
snow in a Mediterranean climate. The seasonal changes are due to changes in ocean currents and water
temperature.
What are the Temperatures like?
The climate is known for warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. Winter temperatures
are usually between 30 and 65 degrees. Summer months all average above 50 degrees. The warmest
month averages about 72 degrees. The cause of this climate is directly related to large bodies of water
such as the Mediterranean Sea and ocean currents. During the summer, cold currents keep the climate
mild and dry. Ocean currents shift as the seasons change. During the winter the water that was warmed
up all summer moves in and keeps the land warm and often brings rain.
How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
Mediterranean climate is a fairly dry climate. Almost no rain falls during the summer, so most of the
rain falls during the cooler winter. The summer experiences cold ocean currents that bring dry air and
no precipitation. During the winter the currents shift and warmer, moist air brings rain to these areas.
Snow can fall in higher elevation areas or places that are farther north. Mediterranean climates receive
around 20 inches of annual (yearly) rainfall.
What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) Does it Have?
Plants in Mediterranean climate must be able to survive long dry summers. Evergreeens such as Pine
and Cypress trees are mixed with deciduous tress such as some Oaks. Fruit trees and vines such as
grapes, figs, olives, and citrus fruits grow well here. Other plants include what are called "scrub", which
include small shrubs, grasses, and herbs.
What Kind of Animals Does it Usually Have?
In order to survive here, animals must be able to live in rugged land and not depend too much on large
areas of grass to graze. The natural wildlife found here include goats and sheep. These animal graze,
but eat a wide variety of plants compared to cows who rely on grasses. Rabbits, jackels, and lynx can
also be found here.
Humid Subtropical Climate
Where is it Usually Located?
The Humid Subtropical climate is found on the east coast of continents between 20 and 40 north and
south of the equator. The southeast United States is a good example of this climate. Florida has a
Humid Subtropical climate.
What Seasons Does it Have?
Temperatures usually stay high (above 70) throughout the year, but cool down for a few months, so
there are really only 2 seasons here: summer and winter. However, the winter season is not a cold
winter. Summer season lasts longer, since Humid Subtropical areas are somewhat near the equator.
What are the Temperatures like?
Humid Subtropical climate is known for hot humid summers and mild winters. During the summer the
average temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. The coldest month usually averages 45-50 degrees.
Since Humid Subtropical is found between 20o and 40o latitude, they receive direct sunlight for a large
part of the year.
How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
Most Humid Subtropical areas receive about 48 inches of rain each year. The rain falls throughout the
year. The regularly high temperatures evaporate water, which causes humidity and precipitation. The
high humidity in this region makes summer temperatures feel even hotter. Humid Subtropical areas
usually experience strong storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) Does it Have?
The natural vegetation found in Humid Subtropical areas are mainly evergreen trees, bushes, and
shrubs. These are not the hardy evergreen trees like pine and spruce. Most of these evergreens are
more delicate. The reason many plants here are evergreens is because of the long months of warmth
and regular rain. These plants have adapted to the regular climate conditions. Many broad-leaf
evergreens such as palm trees and ferns are found here. Many plants can be farmed here since the
growing season is sometimes 8 months long.
What Kind of Animals Does it Usually Have?
Humid Subtropical supports many types of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Alligators, deer, and
panthers can be found in the US. Brazil's subtropical area has the capybara, which is the worlds largest
rodent.