temperate zone - natural area covering a significant part of the land in the Northern Hemisphere and the vast waters of the South.These latitudes are considered the main climatic zone rather than passing, because their areas are extensive.In these areas there are sudden changes in temperature, pressure and humidity, and it does not matter, we are talking about the land, or a separate part of the area.About what exactly characterized the temperate zone, it is inherent in the weather and what are its features, read below.
Short description
temperate latitudes are the most extensive natural area on the planet.They occupy 25 percent of the earth's surface, which is several times larger than that of any other climatic zone.In the Northern Hemisphere temperate climate zone is located between the 40th and 65th degrees of north latitude.In the South it is located between 42 th and 58 th degrees south latitude.In addition, it is worth noting that in the north of the natural area stretches mainly along the land.55 percent of the territory - a continent, and the rest - the waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific.In the Southern Hemisphere temperate zone it occupies only 2 percent of the land, and the remaining 98 - a water oceans.
air temperature and its fluctuations
The main feature of this area are considered to sharp seasonal temperature change.It is very cold in winter and very hot summer, and between them there are two transitional seasons - spring and autumn, which are found only in these latitudes.Winter temperatures in the temperate zone are always lowered below zero.The closer to one of the poles we are, the lower rates gives us a thermometer.On average, the air is cooled to -10.In the summer, on the contrary, the temperature does not drop below 15 in all regions (except for the weather events).Closer to the subtropics are temperature maxima of 35 and more than zero.At the borders of the subpolar band is always cool - no more than 20.
humidity and its variations
climate is temperate zone is largely dependent on the air pressure, which is formed here because of cyclones coming from the land and waters of the oceans.The average annual rainfall, of which there are - 500 mm.Thus it is necessary to allocate separate areas - very dry and very wet.For example, off the coast of the seas and oceans are formed zone of dynamic minimum.Here the pressure is low and rainfall is 2000 mm per year.In the depths of the continents (North America, Eurasia) most of the areas subject to drought.In the summer is always heat, because the amount of precipitation that falls here, not more than 200 mm.
Northern Hemisphere
As we have seen, the northern temperate zone - is 55% of the land and 45% of water between the 40th and 65th degrees.But this does not mean that each geographical point that falls within this range, for its weather is the same as everyone else.Since the slowness of the north to the south is very high, the weather at higher latitudes will be more severe than in close to the equator.In the Northern Hemisphere temperate zone is divided into four subspecies: the maritime climate is temperate continental and sharply continental monsoon.Now a closer look at each of them.
sea climate
This subtype is located above the surface waters of the oceans, as well as in coastal areas (New York, London).This zone is characterized by the lowest amplitude of temperature fluctuations during the year.Winter is abnormally warm: the thermometer rarely falls below zero.Permanent snow cover during the cold season is not well formed: the snow and frost are rare and are kept on the ground is not long.It is worth noting that the summer is not hot.When, in the more northern areas the temperature rises to the limit, tired of all the heat, then a relatively cool - no more than 22 degrees above zero.Annual rainfall is the maximum - up to 2000 mm.
temperate continental climate
This type of temperate zone, which is located in the heart of the continent, far from the seas and oceans.It is characterized by very hot in the summer - up to 28 and frosty winter - more than 12 degrees below zero.There is always dry, rainfall is minimal - up to 300 mm.Most of the areas that are covered by this natural area - steppes and polustepi in Eurasia and North America.Here during the winter and forms a continuous blanket of snow and freezing.In summer, there are light winds, intermittent rain and light clouds.
sharply continental climate
In this subzone temperate climatic zone borders the sub-Arctic, which greatly affects its weather conditions.In addition, another feature it is considered that it is located far from the external water because there is extremely dry - not more than 200 mm.In summer it is very cool and windy.The temperature rarely rises above 19.However, this is offset by a large number of sunny days due to low clouds.The very short summers, cold, just come in the second half of August.In the winter it is very cold, and throughout the season the ground is covered with snow.The temperature drops below -30, often above the ground formed clouds of snow.
monsoon climate
In some very small areas on the parameters temperate zone monsoon intercepts.This wind, which are formed mainly in tropical areas and rarely reach such high latitudes.Changes in temperature here are small, but the humidity varies greatly.The main feature lies in the fact that summer is very humid, and in winter from the sky does not fall a single drop.Type weather - anticyclone, with an abrupt change of pressure and wind direction.
