KEY: Climate Chart Research
1. Why are there different forests and deserts, and why are there different types of life in each area?
Because of Climate
2. Explain what climate is:
Climate is the characteristic condition of the atmosphere near the earth's surface at a certain place on
earth. It is the long-term weather of that area (at least 30 years). This includes the region's general
pattern of weather conditions, seasons and weather extremes like hurricanes, droughts, or rainy
periods.
3. What factors affect climate?
Two of the most important factors determining an area's climate are air temperature and
precipitation. These factors are determined by the latitude, proximity to water and altitude
(topography).
4. What is our climate system based on?
Our climate system is based on the location of these hot and cold air-mass regions and the
atmospheric circulation created by trade winds and westerlies. Basically the climate system is based
on the movement of air.
5. Describe the actions of the trade winds:
Trade winds north of the equator blow from the northeast. South of the equator, they blow from the
southeast. The trade winds of the two hemispheres meet near the equator, causing the air to rise. As
the rising air cools, clouds and rain develop. The resulting bands of cloudy and rainy weather near the
equator create tropical conditions.
6. Describe the actions of the westerlies:
Westerlies blow from the southwest on the Northern Hemisphere and from the northwest in the
Southern Hemisphere. Westerlies steer storms from west to east across middle latitudes.
7. Describe what happens at 30 of latitude
Both westerlies and trade winds blow away from the 30 ° latitude belt. Over large areas centered at 30
° latitude, surface winds are light. Air slowly descends to replace the air that blows away. Any
moisture the air contains evaporates in the intense heat. The tropical deserts, such as the Sahara of
Africa and the Sonoran of Mexico, exist under these regions.
Before you begin to fill in your climatic zone chart- answer the following general questions about the
three primary climate zones (tropical, middle-latitude, and polar climate).
1. What latitudes are tropical climates found? 0 to 30
2. What are the three primary tropical climates? Tropical rain forest, Savanna (grassland) & Desert.
3. What latitudes are middle latitude climates found? 30 to 60
4. What climates are found at the Mid latitude ranges (Use book & web site)?
Steppe, chaparral, Mediterranean, Moist Continental, Marine west coast, Desert, Humid subtropical.
5. What latitudes are polar climates found? 60 to 90
6. What climates are found at the polar climate ranges (Use book & Web site)?
Sub arctic, Tundra, Taiga, Alpine
Complete the General Boundaries of the major climate zones: label each line with a latitude. Identify where
polar climates are (blue), mid latitude climates (orange) and tropical climates (red). Also label which climates
are found within each of these. (hint the mid-line represents the equator)
This area should be blue and represents 60-90 latitude and is usually a Polar Climate
This area should be orange and represents 30 to 60 latitude and is usually a temperate climate
This area should be red and represents 0 to 30 latitude and is usually a tropical climate
This area should be red and represents 0 to 30 latitude and is usually a tropical climate
This area should be orange and represents 30 to 60 latitude and is usually a temperate climate
This area should be blue and represents 60-90 latitude and is usually a Polar Climate