CLIMATE ZONESHot & Dry OR Cold & Wet…

The Earth has climate zones The surface of the Earth can be broken into

different climate zones depending on temperature, precipitation and weather patterns.

Equatorial Zones Because of the amount of sunlight, regions

near the equator are hot.

Rain Forests are wet Deserts are dry (arid)

In between rain forest and desert Is the Savannah

The lion sleeps tonight…

Mid-latitudes have a variety of zones From Temperate to

A Sub-Tropical

Like…the… Swamp…

Mid-latitudes have a variety of zones And from Alpine to

A Steppes

(cooler and dryer)

Coastal zones are also unique. The U.S. West Coast & the

Mediterranean

Warm, dry summers & cool, wet winters

Near the poles (or mountains) it’s cold! Tiaga – coniferous forests…

A Tundra

A

Polar Ice or… frozen ground

Each zone is unique! The temperature, precipitation and weather

patterns determine the ecosystems and biomes. Latitude determines sunshine. Ocean currents and wind patterns determine seasonal

shifts.

Micro-climates exist within the various climate zones, especially where ocean currents and topography are more extreme. Alpine micro-climates are cooler. Marine micro-climates are warmer.