World Geography 3200

Unit 2: Patterns in Weather & Climate

WEATHER AND CLIMATEChapter 4

Temperature Range (Defined)• Temperature range is the difference between the

highest and the lowest average monthly temperatures of a region.

• High temperature range equals extremes of temperature, hence hot summers cold winters.

• Low temperature range equals moderate temperature, hence warm summers, cool winters.

Continentality

Continental vs. Maritime Climates • Continental climates experience extremes of

temperature. Summers are hot and dry, winters are very cold and dry.

• Maritime climate experience warm (not hot) and humid summers, and mild and humid winters.

• Continental climates experience greater extremes of temperature than coastal climates at the same latitude!

• As distance from the ocean increases, annual temperature range increases!

• For example, the plains region of Saskatchewan, experiences a continental climate. The winter temperatures are very cold and the summer temperatures are fairly hot.

• For example, summer temperatures in Central Labrador are often higher than summer temperatures in the island portion of the province.

• Coastal Newfoundland would experience a Maritime climate. The winter temperatures would be very mild. The summer temperatures would be warm but not hot.

Monsoon• From Arabic for 'seasonal wind';

India’s Winter Monsoon• Continental Asia cools • Wind blows southward towards the low over Indian

ocean (as a result of the higher atmospheric pressure); • Very little rain, or dry season results, because the wind

is blowing over dry land and does not pick up moisture.

Monsoons

India’s Summer monsoon• Continental Asia heats up & low atmospheric

pressure results; • Wind blows northward towards the low over

India; • Tremendous rains result because the wind is

blowing over the warm Indian Ocean.