What are the 6 types of climates?

Though the weather of an area can change daily, when seen in longer periods, a general pattern of climate emerges. For example, though it may rain on some days in the tropics and on others in the desert, rainfall is greater and more constant in the former than the latter. These annual weather patterns classify the world into six major climate regions.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

The six major climate regions are polar, temperate, arid, tropical, Mediterranean and tundra.

Polar Chill

Polar climates are very cold and dry throughout the year. They encompass the South Pole, the extreme northern latitudes and the interior of Greenland. Plant life is non-existent except for some algae, while the few animal species include polar bears, killer whales, seals and penguins.

Temperate Regions

The temperate region experiences cold winters and mild summers, and covers much of North America, Europe and the northern parts of Asia. Temperate forests grow in soil fertilized by leaf litter, producing a rich diversity of plants like oak, maple, elm and willow, and animals like deer, bear, rabbits, squirrels and birds. Temperate grasslands are dominated by flowering grasses, and are populated by such fauna as lions, wolves, zebras, foxes, snakes and deer.

Arid Zones

Arid zones are hot and dry all year and include the deserts of North Africa and central Asia, the southwest United States, and inland Australia. The coarse soil contains little surface water and supports mostly shrubs and short, woody trees. Animal life includes birds, reptiles, insects, rodents and small carnivores.

Damp Tropical Regions

The tropical region is hot and wet, covering the jungles of South America and Africa, Southeast Asia and the islands of the Pacific. This area contains the greatest diversity of plant and animal life. Tropical forests experience about 12 hours of daylight daily, with only a rainy and dry season. They can contain 100 different tree species in a half-mile square, with small fauna like birds, bats, insects and small mammals.

The Mild Mediterranean

A Mediterranean climate shows mild winters and hot, dry summers, and includes the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, Southern South America and Southern California. Plants are typically shrubby and less than three feet tall, populated by small, nocturnal animals like geckos, snakes and rodents, which are hunted by raptors like hawks.

The Cold Tundra

The tundra is very cold all year and covers the tops of mountains, the northern extremes of North America and Asia, and the southern coast of Greenland. Though plant life may be numerous, it grows low to the ground and includes grasses and shrubs. Animal populations, which expand and shrink radically depending on the season, include:

• caribou
  
• squirrels
  
• foxes
  
• wolves
  
• bears
  
• migratory birds

Although the Earth may seem relatively stable, the planet really is undergoing constant change, influenced by factors such as rotational speed, chemical reactions, gravity and the warmth of the sun. The dynamic nature of the Earth means that the planet has six basic types of climates. These climates all have different characteristics in terms of temperature, precipitation and location. These characteristics determine the habitability of any given region on the Earth.

Tropical

Tropical climates are found mainly around the equator. They have high temperatures and lots of rain throughout the year. Conditions thus are very humid. Because these climates provide plenty of heat and water, they are lush in vegetation and animal life.

Temperate

Temperate climates are located in the middle latitudes. They are characterized by fairly equal amounts of cold and warm weather. Temperatures are mild and changes in weather are not extreme. Vegetation in temperate climates is very diverse because the climate can support plants that need cool temperatures and plants that need warm temperatures.

Polar

Polar climates, as the name implies, are found mainly around the north and south poles in regions such as Greenland, Northern Siberia and Antarctica. These regions are often covered with snow and ice, with the temperature rarely getting above freezing. Polar climates actually are deserts, because the cold temperatures prevent the air from holding much moisture.

Dry

Dry climates, also known as desert climates, are known for their lack of moisture. They get only about 10 inches of precipitation all year. Subsequently, vegetation and plant life is sparse. Deserts may be classified either as cool or hot. A cool desert shares the cool winters of its surrounding region. A hot desert stays warm all year, although temperatures can dip to freezing at night.

Highland

Highland climates also are known as mountain climates. They occur at high elevations. There is no good definition for a highland climate because highland climates are influenced by the climates below them at lower elevations. However, because air cools as it rises, highland climates usually have cool temperatures that don't rise much past 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Like polar climates, highland climates don't receive much rain because the surrounding air is too cool to hold a lot of moisture. These climates are found worldwide, with a primary example in the United States being the Rocky Mountains.

Continental

Continental climates really are a subcategory of temperate climates. They occur in the middle of continents where the oceans and seas cannot impact temperature and precipitation as much. Continental climates have hot summers and cold winters, but they have four distinct seasons. Because rain usually gets dispersed over land before it can reach the middle of a continent, these regions are drier than some other climates.

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