Temperateness: Difference between revisions
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The maritime climate is affected by the [[ocean]]s, which help to sustain somewhat stable temperatures throughout the year. In temperate zones the prevailing winds are from the west, thus the western edge of temperate continents most commonly experience this maritime climate. Such regions include [[Western Europe]], and western North America at latitudes between 40° and 60° north (65°N in Europe). |
The maritime climate is affected by the [[ocean]]s, which help to sustain somewhat stable temperatures throughout the year. In temperate zones the prevailing winds are from the west, thus the western edge of temperate continents most commonly experience this maritime climate. Such regions include [[Western Europe]], and western North America at latitudes between 40° and 60° north (65°N in Europe). |
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Continental, semi-arid and arid climates are usually situated inland, with warmer summers and colder winters. Heat loss and reception are aided by extensive land mass. In North America, the [[Rocky Mountains]] act as a climate barrier to the maritime air blowing from the west, creating a semi-arid and continental climate to the east. In [[Europe]], the maritime climate is able to stabilize inland temperature, because the major mountain range – the [[Alps]] – is oriented east-west (the area east of the long [[Scandinavian Mountains|Scandinavian mountain range]] is an exception). |
Continental, semi-arid and arid climates are usually situated inland, with warmer summers and colder winters. Heat loss and reception are aided by extensive land mass. In North America, the [[Rocky Mountains]] act as a climate barrier to the maritime air blowing from the west, creating a semi-arid and continental climate to the east.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://old.thesustainabilitycouncil.org/climates/temperate/default.php |date= 2008 |title= The Temperate Climate |publisher= The International Sustainability Council |quote= ...the north-south aligned Rocky Mountains act as a climate barrier to the mild maritime air blowing from the west. |accessdate= October 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.swissuniversity.ch/print/country-climate.htm |title= Climate of Switzerland |publisher= Swiss University |quote= The [[Alps]] act as a climate barrier: Southern Switzerland, which is mainly influenced by the [[Mediterranean Sea]], is characterized by a much milder climate than Northern Switzerland. |accessdate= October 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url= http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wrnshdw/wrnshdw.htm |last= Brinch |first= Brian |date= 2007-11-01 |title= How mountains influence rainfall patterns |journal= [[USA Today]] |location= [[Tysons Corner, Virginia]] |publisher= Gannett |issn= 0734-7456 |quote= As air ascends mountains, such as the Washington [[Cascade Range|Cascades]], it is forced to rise. The rising air cools, condenses, and drops rain on locations situated on the windward slopes, like [[Seattle]]. When the air descends the back side of the mountain toward [[Spokane]], it is compressed, warming and drying it out. This sinking, dry air produces a rain shadow, or area in the lee of a mountain with less rain and cloudcover.|accessdate= October 4, 2012}}</ref> In [[Europe]], the maritime climate is able to stabilize inland temperature, because the major mountain range – the [[Alps]] – is oriented east-west (the area east of the long [[Scandinavian Mountains|Scandinavian mountain range]] is an exception). |
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The vast majority of the world's human population resides in temperate zones, especially in the [[northern hemisphere]] because of the mass of land.<ref>{{cite book |last= Cohen |first= Joel E. |coauthor= Christopher Small |chapter= Hypsographic demography: The distribution of human population by altitude |title= Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 95 |location= Washington, D.C. |publisher= The Academy |date= November 24, 1998 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC24316/ |pages= 14009–14014|accessdate= September 19, 2012}}</ref> |
The vast majority of the world's human population resides in temperate zones, especially in the [[northern hemisphere]] because of the mass of land.<ref>{{cite book |last= Cohen |first= Joel E. |coauthor= Christopher Small |chapter= Hypsographic demography: The distribution of human population by altitude |title= Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 95 |location= Washington, D.C. |publisher= The Academy |date= November 24, 1998 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC24316/ |pages= 14009–14014|accessdate= September 19, 2012}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 09:37, 4 October 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2012) |
 | It has been suggested that Middle latitudes be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2009. |
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In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar regions. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold.
However, in certain areas, such as Asia and central North America, the variations between summer and winter can be extreme because these areas are far away from the sea, causing them to have a continental climate. In regions traditionally considered tropical, localities at high altitudes (e.g. parts of the Andes) may have a temperate climate.
The north temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Cancer (at about 23.5 degrees north latitude) to the Arctic Circle (at approximately 66.5 degrees north latitude). The south temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Capricorn (at approximately 23.5 degrees south latitude) to the Antarctic Circle (at approximately 66.5 degrees south latitude).[1][2]
In a very broad sense, temperate climate also may include a subtropical climate, variants: subtropical semidesert/desert, humid subtropical, oceanic subtropical and Mediterranean climate. However, a typical temperate climate is one of the four climate zones in the world, beside polar regions (subarctic climate, arctic climate, tundra climate, ice cap climate) and the subtropics, tropics.
The maritime climate is affected by the oceans, which help to sustain somewhat stable temperatures throughout the year. In temperate zones the prevailing winds are from the west, thus the western edge of temperate continents most commonly experience this maritime climate. Such regions include Western Europe, and western North America at latitudes between 40° and 60° north (65°N in Europe).
Continental, semi-arid and arid climates are usually situated inland, with warmer summers and colder winters. Heat loss and reception are aided by extensive land mass. In North America, the Rocky Mountains act as a climate barrier to the maritime air blowing from the west, creating a semi-arid and continental climate to the east.[3][4][5] In Europe, the maritime climate is able to stabilize inland temperature, because the major mountain range – the Alps – is oriented east-west (the area east of the long Scandinavian mountain range is an exception).
The vast majority of the world's human population resides in temperate zones, especially in the northern hemisphere because of the mass of land.[6]
For the history of the term, see geographical zone
References
- ^ McColl, R. W. (2005). Encyclopedia of World Geography, Volume 1. (Facts on File Library of World Geography). New York: Facts on File. p. 919.
{{cite book}}: Text "ISBN 0-816-05786-9" ignored (help) - ^ "Solar Illumination: Seasonal and Diurnal Patterns". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
- ^ "The Temperate Climate". The International Sustainability Council. 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
...the north-south aligned Rocky Mountains act as a climate barrier to the mild maritime air blowing from the west.
- ^ "Climate of Switzerland". Swiss University. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
The Alps act as a climate barrier: Southern Switzerland, which is mainly influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by a much milder climate than Northern Switzerland.
- ^ Brinch, Brian (2007-11-01). "How mountains influence rainfall patterns". USA Today. Tysons Corner, Virginia: Gannett. ISSN 0734-7456. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
As air ascends mountains, such as the Washington Cascades, it is forced to rise. The rising air cools, condenses, and drops rain on locations situated on the windward slopes, like Seattle. When the air descends the back side of the mountain toward Spokane, it is compressed, warming and drying it out. This sinking, dry air produces a rain shadow, or area in the lee of a mountain with less rain and cloudcover.
- ^ Cohen, Joel E. (November 24, 1998). "Hypsographic demography: The distribution of human population by altitude". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 95. Washington, D.C.: The Academy. pp. 14009–14014. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)