Thursday May 12, 2011

1. ThursdayMay 12, 2011 (Koppen Climates)

2. The Launch Pad Thursday, 5/12/11 What would a spring in north Texas be like after this event? most likely cool and wet Describe this climate. humid, tropical (type A)

3. Announcements Be sure to bring your laptops tomorrow. Please check your yearly average in this class. If you are below 70 for the year, please come and see me ASAP! There are only two more grades remaining!

5. KöppenClimates Dry (B) Climates These are climates where evaporation exceeds precipitation, and there is a constant water deficiency. The boundary of these climate zones are determined by formulas involving three variables - average annual precipitation, average annual temperature, and seasonal distribution of precipitation. The two main B-type climates are: Arid or desert (BW) Semiarid or steppe (BS) BS climates are more humid than arid BW climates; they surround deserts. Examples include North Africa to northwestern India, northern Mexico, and the southwestern U.S.

6. Arid and Semiarid Climates of the World Figure 20.8

7. KöppenClimates Dry (B) Climates Causes of Deserts and Steppes In the low latitudes, deserts and steppes coincide with the dry, stable, subsiding air of the subtropical high-pressure belts. In middle-latitudes, deserts and steppes are due to their position in the deep interiors of large landmasses and/or the presence of high mountains. Most of these are located in the Northern Hemisphere.

8. Comparison of B-Type Climates Figure 20.9

9. KöppenClimates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates with Mild Winters (C) These are climates where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 64˚F but above 17˚F. Subgroups of C climates include: Humid Subtropics These are located on the eastern sides of continents, in the 25 to 40 degrees latitude range. They have hot, sultry summers and mild winters, with winter precipitation generated along fronts.

10. KöppenClimates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates with Mild Winters (C) These are climates where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 64˚F but above 17˚F. Subgroups of C climates include: Marine West Coast These are located on the western (windward) side of continents at 40 to 65 degrees north and south latitude. Their onshore flow of ocean air create mild winters and cool summers.

11. KöppenClimates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates with Mild Winters (C) These are climates where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 64˚F but above 17˚F. Subgroups of C climates include: Dry-Summer Subtropics These climates are found on the west sides of continents between latitudes 30˚ and 45˚. They have strong winter rainfall, and are often called a “Mediterranean” climate.

12. Comparison of C-Type Climates Figure 20.10

13. KöppenClimates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates with Severe Winters (D) These are climates where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 27˚F and the warmest monthly mean exceeds 50˚F. They are “land-controlled” climates, and are absent in the Southern Hemisphere.

14. KöppenClimates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates with Severe Winters (D) Subgroups of D climates include: Humid Continental This type of D climate is confined to the central and eastern portions of North America and Eurasia, between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. This climate is characterized by severe winter and summer temperatures and high annual temperature ranges. Precipitation is generally greater in the summer than in the winter, with snow remaining on the ground for extended periods.

15. KöppenClimates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates with Severe Winters (D) Subgroups of D climates include: Subarctic The subarctic climate is found north of the humid continental climate, and is often referred to as the “taiga” climate. This climate contains the largest stretch of continuous forests on Earth, is the source regions of cP air masses, and has frigid winters, with remarkably warm but short summers

16. Comparison of D-Type Climates Figure 20.12

17. KöppenClimates Polar (E) Climates The mean temperature of a polar climates’ warmest month is below 50ºF. Enduring cold and meager precipitation characterize this type of climate. There are two types of polar climates: Tundra Climate (ET) This treeless climate is almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. It has severe winters, cool summers, and a high annual temperature range.

18. KöppenClimates Polar (E) Climates The mean temperature of a polar climates’ warmest month is below 50ºF. Enduring cold and meager precipitation characterize this type of climate. There are two types of polar climates: Ice Cap Climate (EF) Ice cap climates have no monthly mean above 32ºF, and have a permanent ice and snow covering.

19. KöppenClimates Highland Climates Highland climates are usually cooler and wetter than adjacent lowlands. Highlands have a great diversity of climatic conditions, and are best described by the terms variety and changeability.

20. Figure 20.16 Highland Climates

21. Comparison of E-Type Climates Figure 20.15