Climate Zones (Polar, Temperate, & Tropical)

Climate is the average weather over a long time, or at least 30 years.Climate is a long-term pattern of weather for a region.Climate is mainly measured using these two factors: 1. the average temperature of a region 2. the average amount of precipitation (rain or snow) of a region. There are 3 main climate zones:1. polar2. temperate3. tropical Polar Climate Zone The polar regions are always covered by snow andice throughout the year.The polar climate zones includes the areas around the North Pole and the South Pole.The polar climate is dry, with some areas experiencing less than 9 inches of precipitation a year. This is why, for example, Antarctica is considered a ‘cold desert’.Temperatures here are always very low.The lowest recorded temperature in the polar climate zone was -128°F in Antarctica. Temperate Climate Zone Temperate climates are those without extremes of temperature and precipitation (rain and snow).Average yearly temperatures in these regions are not extreme, not burning hot nor freezing cold."Temperate"means moderate. Temperatures can vary greatly here between summer and winter. So, most places with a temperate climate have four seasons:1. winter2. spring3. summer4. fallThe northern temperate zone lies between the Arctic Circle and the Tropic of Cancer.The southern temperate zone lies between the Antarctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn. Tropical Climate Zone Tropical climates are found in areas that lie close to the equator. Here the sun shines intensely.Within tropical climates, there are three groups:1. tropical wet2. tropical wet and dry3. tropical monsoon.Tropical wet regions, also known as rain forests, have the most predictable weather on earth. Here, everyday is pretty much the same. You can expect lots of rain, warm nights and hot days. The seasons change only slightly.Monsoon climates have winds that reverse every six months. For example, in India the winds blow in from the sea during the summer, bringing buckets of heavy rain. The winds reverse in the winter blowing from land to sea. Winters are dry here. Many people in monsoon climates rely on the monsoons to bring water for their crops. Monsoons sometimes bring too much rain, causing flooding and mudslides.Tropical Wet and Dry regions have three seasons.1. hot and dry2. cool and dry3. wet and hotSometimes there is hardly any rain here, which sometimes means not enough water and food for people and animals. What are the 3 climate zones? polar, temperate, and tropical high, moderate and low polar, arctic and tropical Polar very cold long winters low temperatures covered by snow and ice year round Temperate moderate 4 seasons milder temperatures Tropical hot area around the equator rain forest lots of rain