This document describes 12 major climate regions of the world. It provides key characteristics for each climate type, including average temperatures, precipitation levels, geographic locations, and example biomes. The major climate types discussed are tropical humid, tropical wet and dry, arid, semiarid, Mediterranean, marine west coast, humid subtropical, humid continental, subarctic, tundra, ice cap, and highlands.

1. Chapter 3 – Weather & Climate

2. World Climate Regions
1. Tropical Humid
7. Humid Subtropical
2. Tropical Wet &
8. Humid Continental
Dry
9. Subarctic
3. Arid (Desert)
10. Tundra
4. Semiarid
11. Ice Cap
5. Mediterranean
12. Highland (Alpine)
6. Marine West Coast

3. Tropical Humid
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Little variation in temperature over the year.
It is always hot with a daily average temperature of 80
degrees Fahrenheit.
Rains on a daily basis and yearly average rainfall is
usually more than 80 inches.
Found in Central and South America, as well as Africa
,South Asia (India), Southeast Asia and Indonesia .
Associated with Rainforests and Jungles.
Found along the Equator or areas close to the
Equator.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm

4. Tropical
Wet & Dry
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This sub region has a rainy
season in the summer and
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a dry season in winter.
Temperatures are cooler in the dry season.
Yearly rainfall is less than a Tropical Humid Climate.
Tropical Wet & Dry climates are found next to tropical
humid climates in Africa, South & Central America, and
parts of Asia.
The Savannah of Africa is a prime example.

5. ARID(DESERT)
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Deserts are categorized by the amount annual
rainfall received.
Deserts receive less than 10 inches of rainfall
per year.
Hot deserts (Sahara) have low humidity and
high temperatures during the day. At night the
temperature falls because the dry air cannot
hold heat well.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm

6. Semiarid
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This sub-region does not receive much
precipitation at all – Usually about 16 inches per
year.
Summers are hot and winters are mild to cold.
This climate is located in the interior of
continents, or in a zone around deserts.
Much of the American west falls into this climate
type.

7. Mediterranean
• Primarily found surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea.
• Summers are dry and hot while winters
are cool and rainy.
• Supports a dense human population and
rich agricultural activity.
• Many of the first great human civilizations
thrived in this climate.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/med_chaparral.htm

8. Marine West
Coast
• Located close to the oceans and is frequently cloudy,
foggy, and damp.
• Warm ocean waters off the coast moderates and keeps
temperatures relatively constant throughout the year.
• Precipitation is evenly distributed
throughout the year.
• Rains a lot throughout the year.
• Seattle, WA (Pacific Northwest)
• London, England

9. Humid Subtropical
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Long periods of heat and humidity characterize
this climate region.
These areas are found on the east coast of
continents and are often subject to hurricanes in
late summer and autumn.
Winters are mild to cool,
depending on latitude.
Very suitable for raising
crops,
(rice).
Philadelphia, PA & South
Jersey

10. Humid
Continental
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This climate region experiences
a
variety in temperature and
precipitation.
Mostly found in mid-latitude (40’s to 50 degrees)
interiors of northern hemisphere continents.
These regions also experience four distinct
seasons.
NEPA is located in this climate region.
Deciduous Forests thrive in this climate.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_forest.htm

11. SUBARCTIC
• Evergreen forests called “TAIGA”
cover the lands in this climate region.
• Huge temperature variations occur between
summer and winter.
• Summers are short and cool while the winters
are long & extremely cold.
• Temperatures at freezing
or below last five to eight
months of the year.
• Boreal Forest
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm

12. TUNDRA
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Tundra is the flat, treeless
lands
forming a ring around the Arctic Ocean.
Almost exclusively located in the northern
hemisphere
Very little rainfall – less than 15 inches/year.
Permanently frozen subsoil called “Permafrost”
Summer only lasts a few weeks with
temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm

13. Ice Cap
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Snow, ice, and permanently freezing
temperatures characterize this region.
So cold it rarely snows.
This region is sometimes referred to as a Polar
Desert because it receives less than 10 inches
of precipitation per year.
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Coldest temperature = -128.6 F (Vostok,
Antarctica)
Found only on the continent of Antarctica

14. HIGHLANDS
(Alpine)
Highland climates vary depending
upon four factors:
1. Latitude
2. Elevation (Altitude)
3. Topography
4. Continental Location
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine.htm

15. Climate Region
Tropical Humid
Major Characteristics
Always hot (80o F average) &
rains daily
Tropical Wet & Dry
Rainy season in summer & dry
season in winter
Semiarid
About 16” rain per year
Arid (Desert)
Less than 10” rain per year.
Mediterranean
Hot, dry summers & cool, rainy
winters.

16. Climate Type
Major Characteristics
Humid Subtropical
Found in SE United States
& subject to hurricanes.
Humid Continental
Found in NEPA &
experiences four seasons.
Subarctic
Evergreen forests dominate
this climate.
Tundra
Summers are so short and
cool that permafrost exists.
Known as the Polar desert
Ice Cap
Highlands (Alpine)
Climate varies with four
factors.