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Throughout the globe we can find a great variety of climates, some of them so disparate that it might seem that they belong to different planets. The climatology of the world is one of the most important aspects that shape life on Earth, since, among other things, it allows a greater or lesser availability of natural resources.
Would you like to know which are the main characteristics of the world's climates? If you want to discover it, do not miss this interesting article by Green Ecologist where we tell you all about the types of climate in the world. Take note!
What are the types of climates on Earth
We start counting what are the types of climate on Earth. Broadly speaking, the world's climates can be classified into three general blocks that we expose below.
Hot or intertropical climates
They are those that are located between the tropics as their name indicates. In them there are high average temperatures every month (between 22ºC and 18º) and there is no great variation between the seasons of the year. Within the intertropical or warm climates we have another classification. The types of hot climates are:
- Equatorial climate.
- Dry and humid tropical climate.
- Monsoon weather.
- Dry or arid climate.
Temperate climates
Temperate climates are intermediate climates between cold and warm climates. Where do temperate climates occur? Temperate climates are located in the middle latitudes, between the other two types of climates, usually between 40º and 60º latitude. A total of 4 types of temperate climates:
- Mediterranean climate.
- Oceanic climate.
- Continental weather.
- Chinese weather.
Cold or polar climates
Finally, cold or polar climates are characterized by always having low temperatures (the average of the warmest month is always less than 10 ºC). They are located in high latitudes, usually from the Arctic and Antarctic polar circles. The types of cold climates they are three:
- Tundra climate.
- Glacial or polar climate.
- Mountain weather.
In the following sections we will tell you the most important of each of the subtypes of the three large blocks of climates. Read on to know about all climates and their characteristics.
Equatorial climate
The Equatorial climate it is also known as rainforest climate. The temperatures are high and the thermal amplitude (difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures) is low. There are rainfall throughout the yearthat is, there is no dry season. In addition, the relative humidity is high, making it uncomfortable for people, since perspiration is slow and difficult.
If you want more information, in this other Green Ecologist article we talk more about the equatorial climate: what it is, characteristics, flora and fauna.
Dry and humid tropical climate
These climates also have high temperatures, with averages above 18 ºC. However, the thermal amplitude is greater than in the previous case.
In them there is an alternation of the rainy season with another dry season. However, for some cases the dry season is the longest, becoming predominant. The same is true in other places with the wet season. That is why he talks about dry tropical climate and also humid tropical climate. It is also known as the tropical savanna climate.
Here you can learn more details about what is the tropical climate and its characteristics.
Monsoon climate
This type of climate has high temperatures and an appreciable thermal amplitude. But the most characteristic of monsoon climate is, without a doubt, the high concentrated annual rainfallusually in the summer months. These occur suddenly. The winter months, by contrast, are dry.
Here we tell you more about what are monsoons, types and consequences.
Dry or arid climate
The main feature of the dry or arid climate is the lack of water and the irregularity in rainfall. Depending on the greater or lesser water shortage, we can have a desert or steppe climate respectively, the latter considered a transitional climate to the desert. They are also characterized by dry, desiccant winds and large fluctuations in temperatures throughout the day, as temperatures drop sharply at night.
Although dry climates are typical of the intertropical zone, for example in desert areas, they can also be found in middle and high latitudes due to various geographical factors.
Mediterranean climate
It takes place in the western facade of the continents, although it is typical of Mediterranean Europe. It is characterized by hot dry summers and mild winters, although some frost and snow may occur.
There are strong temperature contrasts between summer and winter, this difference being more pronounced towards the interior. The precipitations usually occur mainly in the winter, although in a reduced number of rainy days. The difference in rainfall from one year to the next can be considerable. It is a climate, therefore, with irregular rainfall that can sometimes occur in the form of strong storms.
In this link you will see more information about What is the temperate Mediterranean climate.
Oceanic climate
At Oceanic climate, the ocean regulatory action It's fundamental. Both the warm ocean currents and the moisture-laden air masses from the sea regulate temperatures in summer and winter, making them milder. Therefore, the annual thermal oscillation is weak.
On the other hand, rainfall throughout the year is also favored, although it is less abundant in summer, and there is also usually high cloudiness.
Continental weather
The continental climate is also known as microthermal climate. It is fundamentally characterized by large temperature difference between winter and summer. The thermal oscillation between day and night is also strong. The continental climate develops inside the continents, where the regulatory action of the sea does not reach. Rainfall is low and occurs in the summer. Winters are long and cold.
Here you can read more about the continental climate: what it is, characteristics and types.
Chinese weather
They are presented in eastern facades of the continents. It receives this name for affecting the Eastern china mainly, although also to other parts of the world. At chinese weather summer has very high temperatures, in contrast to winter where low temperatures are recorded, below 0ºC.
It lacks a dry season and rainfall is abundant throughout the year. There is high humidity and, during the summer, it becomes very similar to the climate of the equatorial jungle.
Tundra climate
In the tundra climate the temperatures are low, although in the warmer months it can exceed 0ºC. This rise above 0ºC allows the surface ice to thaw (at least partially) and is due to the influence of the sea on the Antarctic and Arctic coastal areas. Rainfall is low and fogs often form due to evaporation over the sea (Arctic smoke).
In this link you can see more information about the Tundra: characteristics, flora and fauna.
Glacial or polar climate
At glacial climate or perpetual or polar ice climate no month does it exceed 0ºC. Precipitations are lower than those that occur in the tundra climate and strong winds are characteristic. The temperature difference between night and day is high. Another characteristic is that in this type of climate the soil is permanently frozen (permafrost).
We recommend you read these other posts in which you will learn about perpetual ice: climate, flora, fauna and images and the Characteristics of the polar climate.
Mountain climates
Height carries with it a drop in temperatures. Therefore, in towering mountainsThis leads to the existence of cold climates. In this type of climate there are strong daily thermal oscillations and abundant rainfall that contrast with those of the nearest lowlands. Snow precipitation is important.
Now that you have discovered what the types of climates are in the world, we encourage you to learn more about this topic by reading these other articles by Green Ecologist on the Difference between climate and weather and the Elements and factors of climate.
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of climate in the world, we recommend that you enter our category of Curiosities of the Earth and the universe.
Bibliography- Cuadrat J. M., Pita M. F. (2022). Climatology. Madrid. Cátedra Editions.
- Aguilera Arilla M. J., Borderías Uribeondo M. P., González Yanci M. P., Santos Preciado J. M. (2022). General Geography I. Physical Geography. Madrid. National University of Distance Education (UNED).
