Introduction to Climate Zones
Climate zones refer to areas that are having distinct climates, occurring particularly in the east-west direction around the Earth. Furthermore, there have always been variations in different climate zones that are present all over the Earth. This depends on the precipitation, weather and the general temperature of that particular area.
Climate, as we all know, is the condition which is usually present relating to the humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wind and another meteorological element in a particular area on Earth’s surface for a sufficiently long time. In short, we can say that climate is the weather patterns in an area over a long term period.
Climate Zones: Tropical Zone
The tropical zone is present near to the equator and between the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern hemisphere of the Earth. Moreover, the temperature prevalent in such areas on an average are always above 18° Celsius.
In those regions, the climate is usually warm. Furthermore, due to such high temperatures, more water evaporation takes place and the air becomes moist due to this in such regions.
Examples of Countries that fall under the tropical zone are countries of South America including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador along with the countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Climate Zones: Temperate Zone
Temperate regions are such regions that are often referred to as middle latitude or mesothermal climates. Such areas are characterized by having little rainfall and in such areas, the summers are quite warm.
In the temperate regions, when the coldest months arrive, the temperature in those regions ranges between 26.6° to 64.4° Fahrenheit. Regions that fall under the temperate zones include marine regions, subtropical regions, and Mediterranean regions.
Examples of Countries that fall in the temperate zone include India, Japan, the United States of America, Canada, etc.
Climate Zones: Polar Zone
Regions that fall under the polar zone have little or no summer. The warmest temperature in those regions on an average is around 50° Fahrenheit.
These regions become distinctive compared to other regions due to the presence of large blocks of permanent ice and tundra. Such regions also have months of very little daylight.
Examples of polar zones include the Arctic and the Antarctic along with Alaska, Sweden, and Finland.
Climate Zones: Dry Zones
Dry zones include regions experiencing very little rainfall. Such regions also tend to have large ranges in daily temperatures. Talking about the deserts of such regions, the temperatures over there can reach over 120° Fahrenheit during the days and may fall up to 100° Fahrenheit or less during the nights.
Examples of dry zones include Northern Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, etc.
Climate Zones: Cold Zones
Cold zones are also referred to as the continental or microthermal climates characterized by having high seasonal variations in temperatures and moderate rainfall. Such regions are found in the central regions of landmasses.
In the regions of the cold zones, the average temperature in summers may range between 70° to 90° Fahrenheit. However, the coldest months of such regions have an average temperature below 26° Fahrenheit.
Examples of cold zones include Iceland, Denmark, Norway, etc.
Solved Question for You
Question:Â What is the temperature range prevalent in the temperate zones in the coldest months?
a.) 26.6 – 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit
b.) 16 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit
c.) 55.6 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit
d.) 20-45.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Answer:Â a.) 26.6 – 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit
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