The 6 types of climate and their characteristics

Summary about the different types of climate we can find on Earth.

The types of climate can vary depending on a number of factors, such as where we are related to the place where we are, to the characteristic of the seasons of the year of that place, and to the effects of some natural phenomenon that may occur.

In this article we will review which are the types of climate that exist in normal conditions, according to the season of the year and the geographic location, as well as the different classifications that exist.

What are the types of climate?

As we have already seen, the study of climate is not an exact science, there are circumstances that directly influence the state of the climate in a region, in general terms there are three types of climate, let's see what they are

1. Warm climates

This type of climate, as its name indicates, are characterized by high temperatures, and are located in areas with low latitudes..

In this case, the sun's rays have a greater impact in these zones due to their minimal inclination.

2. Temperate climates

In this type of climate temperatures are generally moderateleaning more towards cold temperatures at certain times of the year. These climates are located in middle latitudes.

3. Polar climates

These are the climates where the predominance of cold is complete. They are found in the highest latitudes and temperatures during the coldest months of the year can be between -10 degrees Celsius.

This type of climate is normally the hegemonic is hegemonic in the polar circles..

Classification of climatic regions

Taking into account which are the predominant types of climate, it is important to know that within these, in turn, there are a variety of subclimates, which are classified as follows according to the scale of Wladimir Köppen (German climatologist).

1. Group A: Tropical climates

These climates are very little variable during the course of the year. Temperatures are high, with intense hot spots in certain regions, but with a regular presence of rainfall throughout the territory covered by these climates.

These climatic regions are home to savannas and arid territories..

Group B: Dry climates

These regions are interspersed between arid and tropical climates. Winters are usually cool, but not cold.and when it is summer time the heat tends to be quite strong.

3. Group C: Moderate climate

These are climates where the seasons of the year have a great influence on their temperatures.. For example, winters tend to be mild and rainy, while the summer season is characterized by high temperatures.

In many of the regions where these types of climates occur, hurricane winds are normal.. In the western zone, where the wind direction blows towards the land, winters are usually colder than in other areas with this type of climate.

Some cities where this classification can be experienced are; Seattle, United States and Wellington, New Zealand.

4. Group D: Continental climate

This is the type of climate par excellence in many areas of Eastern Europe. It is characterized by moderately hot summers and winters with significantly low temperatures.

In the natural course of the year temperatures in this type of climate can range from below -3 to 22 degrees Celsius, which is a good range of temperatures.This is a good range of minimum and maximum temperatures for humans to live and settle throughout these territories.

The region of Siberia and the North of Scandinavia are within the climates included in this classification.

In these regions, summers are cooler and winters are even colder. Precipitation usually occurs only during the summer season.

5. Group E: Polar climate

In this climatic category the general rule is cold. During all days of the year the climate is dominated by very low temperatures, although there are certain particular regions that may be an exception to this rule.

In this type of climate, the regions in which the ecosystem is of tundra are mainly characterized by arid climates where the ground surface is covered by a layer of ice, known as permafrost. This phenomenon can be seen in the northernmost areas of North America, in certain regions of Russia and in Antarctica.

Within this same classification we find the areas called Ice Cap. These are the coldest climates on the planet, located in Greenland and in various regions of the Arctic continent.

6. Group H: Highland climate

The climates of group H are characterized by being highly changeable in short periods of time.. They are found in lands with a significant height and that are of mountainous properties.

It can happen that in certain occasions there are zones that share climates of group E with climates of group H; taking into account the rapidity with which these change, it is difficult to establish a constant in relation to their own climatic nature. it is difficult to establish a constant in relation to their climatic nature..

In addition, the rapid change from one climate to another causes strong demographic crises among the life forms inhabiting these regions, with rapid increases in population and rapid rises in mortality. In addition, in treeless areas, heavy rains falling after many weeks of drought can cause flooding.

Bibliographic references:

• Shepherd, Dr. J. M.; Shindell, D.; O'Carroll, C. M. (2005). What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?. NASA.
• Thornthwaite, C. W. (1948). An Approach Toward a Rational Classification of Climate. Geographical Review. 38 (1): 55-94.