5.0: CLIMATE
5.1: Concept of climate
Concept from this subtopic
a) Define concept of climate
Climate refers to the average weather condition recorded
over a long period of time about thirty 30 years.
5.2: weather and climate
To differentiate between weather and climate
Similarities between weather and climate
- Both
describes atmospheric condition of an area
- Both
are determined by the same elements
- Both
determines social economic activities
- Both
contributes to the life of living organism
Differences between weather and climate
- Weather
refers to the atmospheric condition recorded over a short period of time
while climate is average weather condition recorded at a long period of
time.
- Weather
can change quickly while climate change gradually
- Climate
has distinct season while weather changes day to day.
- Description
of is based on small area while climate based on large area
- The
study of weather is called meteorology while the study of climate is
called climatology
Relationship between weather and climate
- Climate
is established by average weather condition
- Any
change of weather condition has influence to climatic change
Types of world climate
- Equatorial
climate (tropical rainforest climate)
- Tropical
climate
- Dry
climate
- Mediterranean
climate
- Temperate
climate
- Polar
climate
Equatorial climate (tropical rainforest climate)
This type of climate occurs between 0˚ to 5˚ North and South
of the equator. Examples of equatorial climate are Congo basin, South America
in Amazon Basin
Characteristics of Equatorial climate
- The
average temperature is 27˚C
- The
temperature range is about 3˚C
- Convectional
rainfall is common
- Relative
humidity is very high
- Mean
annual rainfall is about 1500mm
- Heavy
rainfall throughout the year
- It found
between 0˚ to 5˚ North and South of the equator.
— Vegetation
-It comprises evergreen trees that yield tropical hard wood
such as mahogany, ebony, greenheart, rosewood and cabinet wood.
Human activities
- Agriculture.
For example, Rubber and Oil palm in Malaysia, Cocoa in Ghana and sugar
cane in Cuba. Other crops are maize, banana and groundnuts.
- Lumbering.
Due to presence of mahogany, ebony, greenheart, rosewood and cabinet wood.
- Fishing
and Water transportation. Presence of large rivers like Amazon and Congo
- Hunting
and food collection. They collect fruits and animals hunting like gorilla
and monkey
- Tourism.
The presence of attractive environment (animals and trees).
Tropical climate
This type of climate lies between 5˚ to 20˚ on the side of
the equator. For example Central America, Central Brazil, East and central
Africa.
Characteristics of tropical climate
- Average
temperature in tropical climate is 21˚C to 32˚C.
- It
has two seasons which are dry and wet season.
- Annual
range temperature is 11˚C.
- Low
humidity during dry season
- The
annual rainfall is around 762mm.
- Convectional
rainfall is common
Vegetation
-It characterized by tall grass with scattered trees
-Their vegetation consists of thorny bushes, low shrubs and
thorny trees.
Human activities
- Crops
production. For example, millet, beans, maize, rice and groundnuts.
- Livestock
keeping. For example, Maasai in East Africa
- Hunting
and gathering. For example, animals, birds and fruits.
- Tourism.
For example, Serengeti, Mikumi and Manyara
Dry climate
This type of climate experiences very little rainfall and
has no permanent source of streams. Dry climate is most found between 15˚ to
35˚ North and South of the equator. Dry climate is divided into semi-arid and
arid. Examples of area are western part of northern America, South America,
central and southern Africa and middle Asia.
Characteristics of dry climate
- Average
precipitation is less than 35mm per year
- There
is greater evaporation
- There
is no cloud cover
- Temperature
varies from 29˚C in ho season to 10˚C in cool season.
Human activities
- Crop
cultivation under irrigation
- Hunting
- Livestock
keeping such as dog, donkey and camel.
Vegetation
For example, of vegetation is cactus
Mediterranean climate region
It is located in northern hemisphere between 30˚ and 45˚ in
southern hemisphere 30˚ and 40˚.nnbbbn
It is developed around Mediterranean Sea. For example,
Egypt, Italy, Spain and Israel and South Africa.
Characteristics of Mediterranean climate region
- It
has relative mild winter
- Annual
rainfall ranges from 500mm to 760mm
- Temperature
range from 10˚C to 21˚C
- Off-shore
trade wind blows in summer
- The
vegetation is evergreen with open woodland coupled with scattered trees.
Human activities
- Agriculture
activities. The crops produced are grains and citrus n
- Animals
kept are goats, sheep, lynx
Temperate climate
This is environment with moderate rainfall spread across the
year or portion of the year with sporadic drought,mild to warm summer cool to
cool winter.
It found between 30° and 60° North and south of the equator.
Examples are western Europe and western north America
Characteristics of temperate climate
- Temperature
ranges between 17°C and 24°C.
- Summer
tend to be warm with little rainfall about 610mm.
- Winter
are moderate wet
Polar climate
This is a place with temperature below freezing and covered
in snow.
It found across the continent that border the Arctic Ocean,
Greenland and Antarctica. Part of the world where polar climate exists are
northern Canada, Siberia and Antarctica.
— Characteristics
of polar climate
- The
land is most covered by thick ice sheets.
- during
winter the region is entire dark and extreme cold
- during
summer the days are long but receive very small insolation make the region
to be cool
- The
average temperature during warmest day is 10°C
- The
annual temperature ranges between -40°C and 0°C
- Annual
precipitation is less than 250mm
- Precipitation
inform of snow and blizzards
Human activities
- No
crops production
- Fishing
activities
- hunting
Mountain climate
This type of climate is common in mountain region. Increase
of altitude and position of slope create unique climate. For example, of
mountain experiences this climate is Mount Kilimanjaro, Atlas Mountain and Alps
Mountain.
Characteristics of mountain climate
- temperature
decrease increases of altitude
- orographic
rainfall is common
- windward
side receive high rainfall than leeward side
- Maximum
rainfall received is about 2500mm.
- Local
winds are associated with temperature inversion.
Human activities
- Crop
production; Crops produced in this region include tea, coffee and
pyrethrum
- Mountain
region attracts tourists; for example, Kilimanjaro
Factors affecting climate
- latitude
- altitude
- distance
from the sea
- prevailing
winds
- ocean
currents
- aspects
- vegetation
- human
activities
- soil
i. Latitude
-The area near to the equator
experience higher temperature than those away from equator.
-latitude influence pressure
system of the world and wind behavior
ii. Altitude
-Increase of altitude decrease of
temperature
-The region with low temperature
experience high pressure while the region of high temperature experience low
pressure
- Highland area experience high
rainfall due to prevailing of moist wind
ii. Distance from the sea
-coastal area has high humidity
that influenced by evaporation of water bodies
_ Temperature of the coast region
also influenced by water bodies due to heating specific capacity.
iii. Prevailing winds
-wind is medium of transfer of
heat and moisture over the land.
-The moving wind carries specific
character will affect certain area of blowing.
iv. Ocean currents
-Ocean currents tend to modify a
climate of certain area along the coast.
-The area where the wind blows
over cold ocean current, the wind moisture condenses and form precipitation
over the area.
-The area with warm or cold ocean
currents will affect the temperature of that area.
v. Aspects
-This is direction where the
slope face.
-windward slope receive higher
rainfall than leeward slope. For example Mount Kilimanjaro south eastern slope
are wetter than north western slope
vi. Vegetation
-Area with dense vegetation
receive less insolation towards the earth make the area to be cooler.
-Also vegetation influence
rainfall due to the process of Eva-transpiration that lead to rainfall
formation.
vii. Human activities
-Human activities such as
settlement, agriculture, industries and construction of dams affect the
climate. For example, deforestation that affect hydrological cycle.
viii. Soil
-Light soil reflects more heat
than darker soil which are better heat absorber. Such soil may lead to
variation of temperature over a region.
5.3: Impact of climate
Impact of climate change on human activities
The climatic change leads to;
- drought
- floods
- melting
of ice
- heavy
rains
- rise
of the sea level
- global
warming
impact pf climatic change to human activities
- Decline
in crops production
- Decline
of industries
- Increase
of poverty
- Absence
of water for domestic use
- Health
deterioration. For example, skin cancer
- Occurrence
of water-borne diseases such as malaria
