The subtropical climate zone is intermediate between the tropical and temperate climatic zones. In the northern hemisphere the subtropical climate is characteristic of the southern part of the United States, the central part of continental China, as well as the Mediterranean part of Europe. In the Northern Hemisphere, the subtropical climate zone includes the southern part of Australia, the southernmost part of Africa, as well as part of South America.
Definition
Subtropical climatic zones are climatic zones located between 23 and 40 degrees of latitude in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere between tropical climatic zones and temperate zones. During the summer, the subtropical climate zone is dominated by tropical air, the weather is dry and hot; during the winter, the air masses of temperate climate prevail, this time of year is quite mild and humid.
According to generally accepted climatologists, the climate of an area is considered subtropical if the average annual temperature is above 14°C, and the average temperature of the coldest month is below this mark, but above 0 ° C.
Subtypes
Differences in the geography of the areas covered by the subtropical climate belt, including topography, as well as distances from the oceans, determine the following subtropical climate subtypes:
- Subtropical continental climate
- Subtropical Mediterranean climate
- Humid subtropical climate
- Subtropical oceanic climate
Subtropical continental climate is characterized by seasonal precipitation due to the change of air masses. insufficient moisture and high temperature amplitude. This subtype of subtropical climate is predominantly found in the central areas of the continents, in North America this subtype is characteristic of the Colorado Plateau.
Subtropical Mediterranean climate is most characteristic of the Mediterranean region of Europe, it differs from the continental subtropical climate by a smaller temperature range, hotter summers, milder winters, more precipitation in winter.
Humid subtropical climate is represented in the northern hemisphere - Eurasia, south-east USA, eastern part of Australia. This type of climate is characterized by sufficient precipitation, which falls mainly in summer. Stable summer monsoons - oceanic air masses from tropical climatic belt condition temperature features of subtropical monsoon climate. Tropical cyclones are frequent in autumn, while winter is relatively cool with little precipitation.
Subtropical oceanic climate is characterized by warm winters and low temperature fluctuations; precipitation is uniform throughout the year. This type of climate is characteristic of southeastern Africa and southeastern Australia.
Temperature
Temperatures of subtropical climate are extremely favorable for living and economic activities, the average summer temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. In winter the temperature is around 0 degrees Celsius, but under the influence of cold air masses the temperature can drop to -10 degrees Celsius.
Subtropical continental climate temperatures: July 24°C, January from 0°C to 5°C.
Subtropical Mediterranean climate temperatures: July 20°C, January from 6°C to 8°C.
Humid subtropical climate temperatures: July from 20°C to 22°C, January from 5°C to 10°C.
Subtropical Oceanic climate temperatures: July 20°C, January +15°C.
Precipitation
Subtropical climate zone precipitation is seasonal. In summer, tropical air masses bring hot weather with little precipitation. In winter, the air masses of the temperate climate zone bring some precipitation. In general, the subtropical climate is characterized by low to moderate precipitation. The Mediterranean subtype of subtropical climate is characterized by low precipitation in summer and greater amounts of precipitation in winter - up to 300-800 mm. In coastal regions, due to frontal precipitation, the amount of precipitation can be up to 1000 mm. For humid subtropical climate the greatest amount of precipitation, unlike other subtypes of tropical climate, falls in summer and can be up to 1500 mm.
Subtropical continental Precipitation: 120 mm.
Subtropical Mediterranean Precipitation: 500 mm.
Humid subtropical Precipitation: 1000-1500 mm.
Subtropical Oceanic Precipitation: 800-1000 mm.
Subtropical climate countries
- Italy
- Croatia
- France
- Montenegro
- Portugal
- Turkey
- Syria
- Israel
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
- Uzbekistan
- China
- Chile
- Uruguay
- Argentina
- Republic of South Africa
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- United States of America
- Tunisia
- India
- Australia
- New Zealand