unit 2-9.docx

High latitude climates Midlatitude deserts and steppes (see above) Subarctic climates Tundra climates Icecap climates Highland climates Climate recap   Subarctic climates LOCATION: 50-65? Found only in the NORTH HEMISPHERE MECHANSIMS: PFW in summer PHP in winter: cold, stable air masses, lots of darkness CHARACTERISTICS Extreme continental climate Warm summers Bitter cold winters *****Greatest continental climate Low precipitation total, but low evaporation Snowpack persists for long periods (snow from October-April) Figure 10.20 climate charts Tundra climates LOCATION: 65-90? North Coast of North America and Eurasia Along the arctic coast line MECHANISMS: PHP all year--cold stable air masses CHARACTERISTICS: Brief thaw in summer (difference between tundra and ice cap) Bitter cold winters Low precip. total, but low evaporation Snow totals modest, but snowpack persists for much of year (because it is so cold, the snow doesn?t melt) Ice Cap Climates LOCATION: 65-90? Greenland and Antarctica MECHANISMS: PHP all year-- cold, stable air masses CHARACTERISTICS: very cold winters, summers warmer but still <0?C Low snowfall total, but low evaporation Glaciers and icecaps Highland Climates LOCATION: Major Mountain ranges of the world MECHANISMS: Dominated by high elevation Colder - environmental lapse rate Orographic lifting CHARACTERISTICS: Cold winters Brief summer thaw in alpine tundra High rainfall totals Lots of snow in the winter CLIMATE RECAP No climate graph matching on test Humid subtropical--humid continental--subarctic--tundra--icecap Gets colder as move to the right CLIMATES with a DRY season Dry all year: tropical desert and steppe Midlatitude desert and steppe (tell the difference by temperature) Summer dry season: Mediterranean Winter dry season Tropical savannas (more precip. --because of the itcz)   CIRCULATION FEATURES--where they are--