Weather and Climate

Climate Zones

Every place on Earth has a different climate, but there are four main climate zones that extend from the equator to the poles.

Tropical Climate

Tropical climates are found around the equator. Temperatures are high the whole year and there is little difference between the hottest and coldest month. The air is very humid and rainfall is at least 200 cm a year.

Near the equator it rains almost every day in the afternoon. Humid air rises and forms clouds that lead to thunderstorms . There are usually two rainy seasons a year, with drier periods in between. The world's largest rainforests are in this climate zone - the Amazon and Congo River basin.

As you move farther away from the equator rainfall becomes less and the dry season becomes longer. Rainforests turn into savannahs .

Dry Climate

Dry climates are located between about 20° and 40° north and south of the equator. Because of high pressure areas the skies are clear and often cloudless . Deserts stretch across large parts of Africa, Arabia and Australia. In some areas it hasn't rained in years.

Temperate Climate

Large parts of Europe, North America and Asia have seasons with warm summers and cold winters. Rain falls throughout the year, especially in coastal regions. Farther away from the sea the climate becomes continental with extreme summer and winter temperatures and little rainfall.

The Mediterranean climate is a special temperate zone found in southern Europe, northern Africa, California , South Africa and southern Australia. Summers are typically hot and dry while winters are cool and rainy.

Polar Climate

The polar region begins north and south of about 60° . In the tundras of North America, Europe and Asia winters are extremely cold and long. A short summer lets few plants grow in this treeless land.

The Arctic and Antarctic regions are covered with snow and ice.