Chapter 12- Mid latitude climates

seasonal temperature change greater than diurnal temp change

I.e., winter to summer temp change is greater than daily min and max temperature ranges

Two major source regions of contrasting air

polar high = cold

subtropical high = cold

Chapter 12- Mid latitude climates

seasonal temperature change greater than diurnal temp change

I.e., winter to summer temp change is greater than daily min and max temperature ranges

Two major source regions of contrasting air

polar high = cold

subtropical high = cold

Mid latitude Temperature rangeMid latitude Temperature range

Circulation is dominated by

Westerlies- eastward motion associated with subtropical jet and polar jet

Rossby waves- undulations in jetstream that enable airmass interaction

Temperature is controlled by

Insolation - higher in latitude the longer the daylight during summer

Airmass origination- where the air gets its characteristics

Circulation is dominated by

Westerlies- eastward motion associated with subtropical jet and polar jet

Rossby waves- undulations in jetstream that enable airmass interaction

Temperature is controlled by

Insolation - higher in latitude the longer the daylight during summer

Airmass origination- where the air gets its characteristics

Wet all year (Dfa)

Winter dry

(Dfb)

Summer dry

(BWk)

Wet all year (Dfa)

Winter dry

(Dfb)

Summer dry

(BWk)

Most climate categories have several subcategories

Cf ---> has Cfa, Cfb, Cfc, etc.

Wet climates (no dry season)

Climates dominated by sub-polar low pressure and frontal generated precipitation

mid latitude cyclonic storms

Typically located on the southeastern side of continents in Northern Hemisphere

Cfa, Cfb, Cfc climate classifications

Df climates in lower latitudes

Wet climates (no dry season)

Climates dominated by sub-polar low pressure and frontal generated precipitation

mid latitude cyclonic storms

Typically located on the southeastern side of continents in Northern Hemisphere

Cfa, Cfb, Cfc climate classifications

Df climates in lower latitudes

Winter dry climates (summer wet)

Generally located in continental interiors

loses effect of moisture from distant oceans during colder months

e.g., northern Great Plains

Mongolia

Typically has extreme seasonal temperature ranges- related to lack of moisture & lat

Winter dry climates (summer wet)

Generally located in continental interiors

loses effect of moisture from distant oceans during colder months

e.g., northern Great Plains

Mongolia

Typically has extreme seasonal temperature ranges- related to lack of moisture & lat

Continentality- a measure of influence of continental influence on moisture and temperature

Continentality- a measure of influence of continental influence on moisture and temperature

Summer dry climates (winter wet)

Csa, Csb climates- commonly called a Mediterranean Climate as that region experiences this kind of climate

also occurs along western margins of continents at higher latitudes

•effects of oceans strongly influences climates

Locations: California, southern Australia, and near the Mediterranean sea