Geography Chapter 9

Global circulation patterns of winds and ocean currents, which drive weather systems and, ultimately, climate patterns are created by

latitudinal energy imbalance between tropical and polar regions.

What is the study of the collective patterns of atmospheric conditions over many years, including averages, extremes, and variability?

climatology

Which of the following is not a characteristic of tropical climates?

consistent day lengths

Which of the following is not a causal element of microthermal climates?

very limited continentality

Which of the following is false regarding the Mediterranean classification?

The bulk of precipitation occurs in the summer months.

Which is true of humid subtropical winter-dry climates?

The winter dry season is related to the seasonal pulse of the monsoons.

Annual temperature ranges near South Georgia Island are low despite their high latitude because

they are influenced by maritime environments.

The low-latitude hot desert climates occur

tropics and subtropics

________ is a mesothermal climate with a long, hot, dry summer.

Mediterranean

The dry season in the tropical monsoon climate occurs when

the ITCZ has moves away from the region.

Which type of vegetation is common in the Mediterranean climate?

chaparral

A climate classification based on temperature and precipitation is a(n) ________ classification.

empirical

________ climates occupy the most extensive area of land on Earth.

dry

Insolation is...

energy input

temperature is...

daily and seasonal patterns

pressure is..

wind patterns

air masses are...

global patterns

precipitation is..

in many forms

emperical classification of climate considers...

dry wet
cold hot

The Koppen-Geiger climate system is based on..

temperature and precipitation monthly and annually
uses 6 capital letters to design climatic categories by latitude from equator

Tropical Climates

36% of earth
consistently warm, perpendicular to sun

mesothermal climates

72% of earth
air mass conflict causes more weather
55% of population
seasons

microthermal climates

7% of earth
long winter

polar climates

19% of earth
no true summer
full daylight summer full night winter