What are the geographic climatic regions?

Answer 1

Geography: Australia's climatic Pattern Tropical Arid: The division between arid and semi arid regions is often set by the use of the 250 millimeter annual rainfall isohyets. Arid or desert regions are determined by the following: · Actual and potential evapo-transpiration rates significantly exceed annual precipitation even during high rainfall years. · Precipitation is irregular and unpredictable with extensive periods of drought. · Low humidity and an absence of clouds contribute to high levels of solar energy reaching the ground during the day and a relatively rapid loss of heat during the night. · Diurnal and seasonal temperature ranges tend to be greater than in other climatic regions. · Tropical arid regions are dominated by high pressure systems throughout the year. This climate occupies one third of Australia, extending from the west coast to the eastern highlands. The northern regions have temperatures in excess of 40c during the summer whilst regions in the south of the Tropic of Capricorn are generally lower. In place such as shark bay the temperatures are moderate due to the movement of air from the sea. In the central highlands they have much cooler summers and winters compared to the surrounding deserts. Tropical and warm temperate semi-arid: These climates occur as transitional zones between the arid and higher rainfall climates of Australia. They have 250-500 millimeters of average rainfall annually. Due to the transitional climate these regions both have adjoining climatic zones. The tropical semi-arid zone receives its rainfall in summer, while the warm temperate zones receives its rainfall either in winter or distributed eventually throughout the year, but still with a winter maximum. The variation in latitudinal position the warm temperate zone is cooler both summer and winter than the northern tropical zone. Both share the same following characteristics: · A significant seasonal range in temperature due to their predominantly continental position. · High levels of evapo-transpiration, particularly during the summer seasons. · A seasonal rainfall pattern which is generally light, but highly variable · Mainly influenced by the subtropical high pressure belt but more likely to experience the effects of low pressure systems than in arid climate. This is due to the seasonal shifts of the global pressure belts. It should be noted that the eastern section of this climate are influenced by the rain shadow effect of the Eastern Highlands. This climate occur over one third of Australia. Mediterranean: 400-500 millimeters of rainfall isohyets. (a line on a map connecting places that receive the same amount of rainfall in the course of a year) Characteristic of the Mediterranean climate includes: · Warm average summer temperatures and mild winter temperature, with moderate diurnal (daily) and seasonal range due to the predominately maritime location. · Frontal rainfall associated with the northward movement of sub-polar low pressure belt in winter. · An extended period of drought from November to April (over summer) due to southward movement and dominance of the sub-tropical high pressure belt. · The formation of a low pressure trough associated with the northern heat lows in summer can bring heat wave conditions when it is offshore and a cool change when it crosses the coast in south-western WA. · A relatively predictable and reliable rainfall pattern and its occurrence during winter when evaporation rates are low enhance its effectiveness. Monsoonal: Rainfall can go from 500 to 1500 millimeters. Characteristics of them include: · Temperatures are relatively high throughout the year due to the regions proximity to the equator. · The low latitude of the climatic results in small diurnal and seasonal variations in temperature, with a location such as Darwin having a yearly range of 6C. · The seasonal reversal of the trade winds is associated with shift in the thermal equator and the equatorial low pressure belt, which brings onshore north-west monsoons in summer, and offshore south-eat monsoons in winter. · The summer wet season is a time of high humidity and heavy convectional rainfall, usually occurring in late afternoon. Monsoonal climate regions also experience a high level of thunderstorms. · Along with the tropical maritime climate, the monsoonal regions are subject to the intense tropical low pressure cells (tropical cyclones) that develop over the Timor and coral seas in summer. The cyclone seasons which runs from November to March, has on average five cyclones per season. Tropical Maritime: · The summers are warm to hot and wet and the winters are mild to warm and wet depending on the latitudinal position. The common elements are the higher summer rainfall. · Being found on the eastern slope of the eastern highlands and along the eastern coastline it experiences a strong maritime effect, which acts to moderate temperature ranges. · The eastern highlands create a significant orographic uplift, with enhanced precipitation along the windward slopes. Rainfall totals decline rapidly to the west pointing to the rain-shadow effect experienced on the western or leeward slopes. · The northern region of the climate occurs within the zone of tropical cyclones which will affect precipitation patterns during the months of November to March. · Prevailing winds are onshore south-easterly trades associated with the movement of air from the subtropical highs to the region of equatorial lows. This onshore movement produces precipitation throughout the year. It should be noted that on the west coast of Australia these winds blow offshore, and therefore produce arid conditions. Temperate Maritime: · The frontal systems associated with the sub-polar low pressures and the mid-latitude westerly winds are important in bringing winter rainfall to the northern limits of the region of Victoria and Tasmania. · The onshore influence of the south-east trades during summer results in rainfall in the northern section during this season. · The Australian Alps produce orographic rainfall in Victoria and southern NSW on their western margins in winter, and summer rainfall from the trade winds on their eastern margin. · The Tasmanian Highlands produce heavy year round rainfall on the west coast of the island and have a rain-shadow effect on the eastern coast. Tasmania is dominated by the prevailing westerlies in both summer and winter. · The mid-latitude position of this climate, along with its maritime location, generally produces mild temperatures throughout the year. · Maritime: meteorology describes a climate influenced by the sea, and therefore generally temperate and with relatively small variations in seasonal temperatures Temperate Alpine: · Altitude is important influence on this climate, with below zero degree temperatures in winter allowing for seasonal snow cover. · Annual precipitation is quite high, with a number of localities receiving in excess of 1500 millimeters a year. · Summers are mild to warm and any snow that does fall in this season does not remain long. · As with all mountain climates, conditions may change in a very short period of time. They often described as having four seasons in one day. THAT IS A PERFECT ANSWER

Answer 2

The geographic climatic regions are classified into tropical, temperate, arid, polar, and mountainous regions based on factors such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation. Each region has distinct climate characteristics that influence the ecosystems and biodiversity found there.