Types of Climate

CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 7

Types of ClimateTypes of Climate

Earth: Our Home Full Geography

You will learn:

to explain the distribution of the three types of climate: tropical equatorial tropical monsoon cool temperate

to explain the characteristics of these three types of climate

to explain the weather and climate of Singapore with reference to rainfall, relative humidity and temperature

to discuss the extent of climate change

Types of climates

Climates are classified based on:

experienced by different parts of the world.

differences in temperatures rainfall patterns

Distribution of climatic types

Köppen climate classification map

Tropical equatorial climate Places that experience this climate include:

countries in Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia

the Amazon Basin of South America the Congo Basin of Africa

Distribution Temperature Rainfall

Within latitudes of 10N and 10S of the Equator

Tropical equatorial climate Characterised by high mean annual temperatures,

averaging 27 C. High temperatures are due to the concentration of the

Sun’s rays on the Earth’s surface. Temperatures are uniform because areas near the

Equator receive about the same amount of sunlight throughout the year.



(27 2)C

Tropical equatorial climate Relative humidity is very high, usually 80%. High rainfall -- high temperatures cause water to

evaporate rapidly, as a result, convectional rain occurs frequently.

Rain falls throughout the year. There are no distinct wet (rainy) or dry seasons.



(27 2)C 1 500 mm

Weather and climate of Singapore Located very near the Equator

Receives about the same amount of sunlight throughout the year High temperatures are uniform throughout the year

High annual rainfall Slight influence by the Northeast Monsoon winds give rise

to lower temperatures and higher rainfall from October to March.

Location Temperature Rainfall

0122’N of the Equator

25.7 to 27.5C 2 400 mm

Tropical monsoon climate Places that experience this climate include:

Places in Indo-China, such as Vietnam and Myanmar Places in South Asia such as India and Sri Lanka Western Africa Northeastern and southeastern Brazil


Between latitudes of 10 to 25N and 10 to 25S of the Equator

Tropical monsoon climate Characterised by high mean annual temperatures,

averaging 26C. Annual temperature range is 6C, which is larger than

that of the tropical monsoon climate. There is greater variation in the mean monthly

temperatures compared to equatorial climate.



(26 6)C

Tropical monsoon climate Rainfall range is large—between 0 millimetres and

3 000 millmetres. Characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons. Countries that lie within the latitudes of the tropical

monsoon climate are affected by monsoon winds.



(26 6)C 1 500 mm

Cool temperate climate Places that experience this climate include:

Canada Northwest Europe East Asian countries like China, Korea, and Northern

Japan New Zealand



Cool temperate climate High temperatures during summer and low

temperatures during winter. Annual temperature range varies from 15C to more

than 30C. Coastal areas experience less extreme temperatures. Inland areas experience winter temperatures of below

freezing point.



-68 to 30C

Cool temperate climate Precipitation comes in the form of rain during summer

and snow during winter. Annual precipitation ranges from 300 millimetres to

2 000 millimetres. Precipitation patterns are not uniform among different

places that experience this climate.



-68 to 30C 300 to 2 000 mm

Climate Change

Climate change is a shift in the average weather conditions that a region has been experiencing over a long period of time.

The Earth’s climate has been changing, where past temperature changes took place slowly over tens of thousands of years.

However, in the last 200 years, there has an acceleration of climate change.

Causes of climate change

Enhanced greenhouse effect Greenhouse effect is a natural process

whereby greenhouse gases absorb heat from the Sun and trap it in the atmosphere.

Keeps the Earth warm enough to sustain life. However, enhanced greenhouse effect as a

result of increase in human activities causes a rise in the Earth’s average global temperature known as global warming.

Global Warming

Global warming leads to: melting ice and rising sea levels extreme weather conditions such as

severe storms, heat waves and droughts possible extinction of plant and animal

species

Reducing the impact of climate change

Mitigation: Countries that acceded to the Kyoto

Protocol aim to reduce their greenhouse gases to six major ones.

All vehicles in Singapore must install catalytic converters.

Adaptation People might have to be relocated away

from low-lying coastal areas.

Is climate change a natural cycle?Is climate change a natural cycle?Is climate change a natural cycle?Is climate change a natural cycle?

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Types of Climate