Chapter 10
Low Latitude Climates
OVERVIEW
This chapter focuses on the climates that are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the
Tropic of Capricorn.

Low latitude climates:

occupy the equatorial zone, much of the tropical zone, and some of the
subtropical zone

include climates that range from very wet to very dry

are influenced by the intertropical convergence zone, tropical easterly wind
systems, and the subtropical high pressure cells

experience traveling low pressure systems such as the easterly wave and tropical
cyclones
 The wet equatorial climate is characterized by:
 dominance of the intertropical convergence zone (ITC)
 mE and mT air masses
 uniform, very warm temperatures in all seasons
 ample precipitation, heaviest when the ITC is nearby
 Monsoon and trade wind coastal climates are characterized by:
 heavy rainfall with strong seasonal patterns
 a larger temperature range than the wet equatorial climate
 dominance of the ITC during the heavy rainfall period and the subtropical high
pressure system during the dry season
 trade wind coast climates are a result of mT and mE air masses blowing onto
coastal areas bringing large amounts of moisture
 the monsoon aspect of these climates is a result of the changing position of the
ITC and reversing pressure gradients
 heavy rainfall is associated with the ITC and an airflow from ocean to land, while
the dry season is associated with airflow off the Asian continent to the ocean
 The wet equatorial, monsoon, and trade wind coastal climates produce low latitude
rainforest with dense vegetation, numerous streams, and a great diversity of plant
and animal life.
 Products and resources of the rainforest include lumber, drugs, rubber, and foods
such as cassava, yams, taro, bananas, plantain, and coconuts.
 The wet-dry tropical climate is characterized by:
 a warm climate but with a more marked temperature range
 during the high sun season, proximity to the ITC brings heavy rains
 during the cooler period, the subtropical high pressure cell produces very dry
conditions
 vegetation adapts to the seasonality of rainfall and is described as rain-green
because it enters a dormant period during the dry season and leafs out and blooms
in the rainy season
 dramatic variations in rainfall are reflected in streamflow which varies from very
low flows to flood-like conditions
 agriculture experiences periodic drought
 The dry tropical climate:
 is dominated by the Subtropical High Pressure Cell
 experiences very low precipitation and intense daytime heating under
predominantly clear skies
 includes many of the world's great deserts
 semi-arid areas on the edges of the desert may have a short wet season. These
steppe areas are transitional from the desert to the wet-dry tropical climate
KEY TERMS
wet equatorial climate
intertropical convergence
zone
mE air mass
mT air mass
monsoon [ALREADY KEY
TERM IN CHAPER 7]
tradewind coast
low latitude rainforest
wet-dry tropical climate
cT air mass
subtropical high pressure
cell
raingreen vegetation
throntree-tall grass savanna
savanna woodland
Sahel
land degradation
dry tropical climate
highland climate
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Describe the annual temperature and precipitation patterns for the wet equatorial
climate.
2. What atmospheric circulation factors dominate the wet equatorial climate?
3. Describe the annual precipitation pattern for the monsoon and trade wind coast
climates.
4. How is the trade wind coast climate different from the monsoon climate?
5. Describe the annual temperature pattern of the tropical desert climate.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What atmospheric circulation factors dominate the tropical desert climate?
How have plants adapted to the tropical desert environment?
How does climate impact agriculture and animal life on the savanna?
How do temperature and precipitation change as elevation increases?
CHAPTER QUIZ
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In which of these low latitude climates does the ITC have least direct effect at the
surface?
a) wet equatorial climate
b) monsoon and trade wind littoral climates
c) wet-dry tropical climate
d) dry tropical climate
2. The largest annual temperature range is found in the:
a) wet equatorial climate
b) monsoon and trade wind littoral climates
c) wet-dry tropical climate
d) dry tropical climate
3. Rainfall is abundant in every month of the year in the:
a) wet equatorial climate
b) monsoon and trade wind littoral climates
c) wet-dry tropical climate
d) dry tropical climate
4. The native vegetation of the wet-dry tropical climate is:
a) the savanna
b) the rainforest
c) the grassland
d) The desert
5. Which of the following pressure and wind systems plays a large role in the dry tropical
climate?
a) the intertropical convergence zone
b) tropical easterlies
c) the subtropical high pressure cells
d) none of the above
True/False Questions
1. Low latitude rainforests have the highest diversity of plants and animals on the Earth.
(T/F)
2. Low latitude rainforests have soils that do not hold large amounts of the nutrients
needed for modern agriculture. (T/F)
3. In all of the low latitude climates, the precipitation maximum corresponds with the
low sun season. (T/F)
4. In desert climates, flash flooding is a serious hazard. (T/F)
5. The highland climates of the low latitudes experience colder and drier climates than
the climates of surrounding locations at low elevations. (T/F)
Short Answer Questions
1. What seasonal rainfall patterns are represented in the low latitude climates?
2. What would be the best time of year to vacation in Belize? Consult figure 8.4 in your
text.
3. Why are temperatures lower in highland areas than in the surrounding lowlands?
Short Essay Questions (1 - 2 paragraphs)
1. Describe the influence of the ITC and the subtropical high pressure cells on each of
the low latitude climates.
2. How have humans adapted their agricultural practices to the variations in the low
latitude climates?
Internet Resources
1. Köppen Type A climates (Wet equatorial, Tropical monsoon and trade-wind
littoral, Tropical wet-dry):
<http://208.154.71.60/bcom/eb/article/4/0,5716,109114+6+106248,00.html>
2. Köppen Type B tropical climates (Tropical and subtropical desert, Tropical and
subtropical steppe):
<http://208.154.71.60/bcom/eb/article/4/0,5716,109114+8+106248,00.html>
3. Satellite views of the ITCZ:
<http://Earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=
4028>
< http://visibleEarth.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/viewrecord?2100>