Climate

Feature

(BSh)

• Subtropical steppe (BSh) and subtropical desert (BWh) have common precipitation and temperature characteristics.
• This region is located in between humid and dry climates.
• The subtropical steppe receives more rainfall than the desert, adequate enough for the growth of sparse grasslands.
• The rainfall is highly variable.

(BWh)

• Rain occurs in short intense thunder-showers in deserts and is ineffective in building soil moisture.
• Fog is common in coastal deserts bordering cold currents.
• Maximum temperature in the summer is very high.
• The rainfall in this type of climate is highly variable.
• The annual and diurnal ranges of temperature are also high.

Climate

Feature

(Cwa)

• Mainly occurs poleward of Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
• It is found mainly in North Indian plains and South China interior plains.
• The climate is similar to Aw climate except that the temperature in winter is warm.

• Occurs around the Mediterranean sea, along the west coast of continents in subtropical latitudes between 30° to 40°, covering regions of Central California, Central Chile, along the coast in south eastern and south western Australia, influenced by continental margins.
• These areas come under the influence of subtropical high in summer and westerly wind in winter.
• The climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
• Monthly average temperature in summer is around 25° C and in winter below 10°C.
• The annual precipitation ranges between 35 – 90 cm.

(Cfa)

• Mainly lies on the eastern parts of the continent in subtropical latitudes, covering eastern United States of America, southern and eastern China, southern Japan, northeastern Argentina, coastal south Africa and eastern coast of Australia.
• Here, air masses are generally unstable and cause rainfall throughout the year.
• The annual averages of precipitation vary from 75-150 cm.
• Thunderstorms in summer and frontal precipitation in winter are common.
• Mean monthly temperature in summer is around 27°C, and in winter it varies from 5°-12° C.
• The daily range of temperature is small.

(Cfb)

• Marine west coast climate is located poleward from the Mediterranean climate on the west coast of the continents.
• The main areas where this climate is found are Northwestern Europe, west coast of North America, north of California, southern Chile, southeastern Australia and New Zealand.
• Due to marine influence, the temperature is moderate and in winter, it is warmer than usual.
• The mean temperature in summer months is between 15°to 20°C and in winter 4°to 10°C.
• The annual and daily ranges of temperature are small.
• Precipitation occurs throughout the year. Precipitation varies greatly from 50-250cm.

Climate

Feature

(Df)

• Cold climate with humid winter occurs poleward of marine west coast climate and mid latitude steppe.
• The winters are cold and snowy.
• The frost free season is very short. 
• The annual ranges of temperature are large.
• The weather changes are abrupt and short.
• Poleward, the winters are more severe.

(Dw)

• Cold climates with dry winters occur mainly over Northeastern Asia.
• The development of winter anticyclone and its weakening in summer sets in monsoon like reversal of wind in this region.
• Poleward, summer temperatures are lower and winter temperatures are extremely low with many locations experiencing below freezing point temperatures for up to seven months in a year.
• Precipitation occurs in summer. The annual precipitation is low from 12-15 cm.

Climate

Feature

(ET)

• The Tundra climate (ET) is so called after the types of vegetation, like low growing mosses, lichens and flowering plants.
• This is the region of permafrost where the subsoil is permanently frozen.
• The short growing season and water logging support only low growing plants. During summer, the tundra regions have a very long duration of daylight.

(EF)

• The Ice Cap climate (EF) is found in Greenland and Antarctica.
• The temperature is below the freezing point in summer.
• This area receives very little precipitation.
• The snow and ice get accumulated and the mounting pressure causes the deformation of the ice sheets and they break. They move as icebergs that float in the Arctic and Antarctic waters.
• Antarctica, which is at 79° S, portrays an Ice Cap type of climate.