Na m e : ___ Date: _
Directions: Use the visual graphic presented below to answer the questions.
THE NINE MAJOR WORLD CLIMATES
In general, climate is the pattern of weather over
a long period of time. Following are nine major
climates, based on average temperatures,
precipitation, and humidity.
CLIMATE TYPE TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION
Rainy Tropical hot throughout the year heavy; distributed evenly throughout year
Wet/Dry Tropical warm to hot throughout the year abundant but most during rainy seasons
Semiarid hot to cold throughout the year sparse in any season
Desert hot to cold throughout the year very sparse; all seasons very dry
Warm Rainy warm to hot summers, cool winters ample; well distributed throughout year
Wet/Dry Seasonal warm to hot summers, cool winters rainy winter; dry summer
Cool Moist cold winters, warm to hot summers medium rain/snow in all seasons
Polar long, cold winters; short, cool summers light throughout year; winter snow
Ice Cap bitter-cold winters, cold summers very light; frozen throughout year
- What is the definition of climate? ____
- What is the difference between Warm Rainy and Wet/Dry Seasonal climate? __
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- What single term might describe an area that’s warm to hot and rainy? __
- What’s the main difference between Semiarid and Desert? __
- What do Ice Cap and Desert climates have in common? ____
- What general type of climate do you think each of these places has and why?
a. Alaska: _____________________________________________________________________________
b. Egypt: _____________________________________________________________________________
c. Amazon rain forest: _________________________________________________________________
d. Washington, D.C.: __________________________________________________________________