Post on 15-Jan-2016
description
Climate Regions
of
Europe
Wind and Water
• The ocean currents and the wind patterns affect the climate in Europe.
• Water currents carry warm water from the Gulf of Mexico toward Europe.
• Wind examples: winds from Africa contribute to the high temps in southern Europe
Climate Zones (page 284)
1. Steppe
2. Mediterranean
3. Humid Subtropical
4. Marine West Coast
5. Humid Continental
6. Subarctic
7. Tundra
8. Highland
Climate Zones• Most of Europe
falls into 3– Marine west
coast– Humid
continental– Mediterranean
Marine West Coast• Northwestern and central Europe• 2 features
1. Mild temperatures
2. Abundant precipitation- gets plenty of rain
• Forests thrive
• Countries: France, U.K., Germany, Austria……
Humid Continental• Eastern Europe and some areas in
northern Europe.• Cooler summers and even colder
winters!• Less rain/snow than MWC • Mixed forests• Countries: Ukraine, Poland, Latvia,
Estonia
Mediterranean• Southern Europe• Dry and hot summers• Winters aren’t too cold= 50• Pyrenees and Alps block cold winds
from the north• Hot and humid winds from Africa• Countries: Italy, Spain, Greece,
Portugal
Subarctic and Tundra• Far north
– 2 zones of extreme cold– Summers = 40 degrees
• SA Zone: Norway, Sweden, Finland
• Tundra: Northern tips of Norway, Sweden, Finland and all of Iceland
Highland• Higher altitudes (Alps, Carpathians)• Temperatures vary (change) from
place to place depending on the direction of the wind
Countries: northern Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland (Alps)
Other zones:• 2 zones cover small areas
1. Steppe (southern Ukraine)• Dry, treeless grasslands
2. Subtropical (north of Adriatic Sea: Italy, Slovakia)
• Hot, wet summers• Mild, wet winters