Question

In this activity, we will explore the world’s climatic regions. Climate classifications, for example the Köppen climate classification, are based on empirical data such as monthly and annual averages of temperature and precipitation. The Köppen climate classification, and several systems modified from it, recognize five major climatic types (tropical, dry, moist midlatitude mild winters, moist midlatitude cold winters, and polar). These are further subdivided into more refined subcategories. After completing this activity you should be able to:

1. Identify the major climate categories and subcategories of Earth.
2. Locate them on a world map.
3. Explain the temperature and moisture criteria used to define these categories and subcategories.

Launch MapMaster 2.0, and answer the following questions. For more information on using MapMaster 2.0, refer to the Help section.

Part A

Annual average precipitation is one factor used in defining climate regions.

1. Select Average Annual Precipitation and Climate Zones.
2. Select Split map window.
3. Zoom to North America and Change projection to Albers (North America).

In North America, which of the following climate zones fall within areas that primarily average between 40 and 59 inches of precipitation annually or higher?

View Available Hint(s)

Annual average precipitation is one factor used in defining climate regions.

1. Select Average Annual Precipitation and Climate Zones.
2. Select Split map window.
3. Zoom to North America and Change projection to Albers (North America).

In North America, which of the following climate zones fall within areas that primarily average between 40 and 59 inches of precipitation annually or higher?

Humid subtropical, moist all year, hot summer (Cfa)

Tropical, subtropical hot desert (BWh)

Humid continental, hot summer (Dfa, Dwa, Dsa)

Midlatitude cold steppe (BSk)

Subarctic, cool summer (Dfc, Dwc, Dsc)

Submit

Part B

In addition to annual average precipitation, temperature is a factor used in defining climate regions.

1. Remove Average Annual Precipitation.
2. Select Global Mean Temperature, January, and select Split map window.
3. Zoom to North America and Change projection to Albers (North America).

In North America, which of the following climate zones fall within areas that have mean January temperatures of 15° to 17° Celsius (C) (59° to 62.6° Fahrenheit, or F)?

View Available Hint(s)

In addition to annual average precipitation, temperature is a factor used in defining climate regions.

1. Remove Average Annual Precipitation.
2. Select Global Mean Temperature, January, and select Split map window.
3. Zoom to North America and Change projection to Albers (North America).

In North America, which of the following climate zones fall within areas that have mean January temperatures of 15° to 17° Celsius (C) (59° to 62.6° Fahrenheit, or F)?

Mediterranean (Csa, Csb)

Marine West Coast (Cfb, Cfc)

Subarctic, cool summer (Dfc, Dwc, Dsc)

Humid continental, hot summer (Dfa, Dwa, Dsa)

Tropical, subtropical hot desert (BWh)

Submit

Part C

The intensity of solar radiation decreases with increasing latitude from the equator. Additionally, day length also varies with latitude throughout the year. These combined effects drive seasonal variations in temperature by latitude.

1. Show City Labels and select the “+” button to further zoom into North America as necessary to see the appropriate cities.

San Francisco, CA is located at approximately 37.7° N while Wichita, KS is at 39.6.5° N. Which of the following best describes the climate and mean January temperature for these two cities?

View Available Hint(s)

The intensity of solar radiation decreases with increasing latitude from the equator. Additionally, day length also varies with latitude throughout the year. These combined effects drive seasonal variations in temperature by latitude.

1. Show City Labels and select the “+” button to further zoom into North America as necessary to see the appropriate cities.

San Francisco, CA is located at approximately 37.7° N while Wichita, KS is at 39.6.5° N. Which of the following best describes the climate and mean January temperature for these two cities?

While Wichita has a humid continental, hot summer climate with cool-to-cold winters, San Francisco has a marine West Coast climate with mild winters.

While San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, Wichita has a humid continental, hot summer climate with cold winters averaging -5° to 0° C.

Both San Francisco and Wichita have humid continental, hot summer climates with cold winters averaging -5° to 0° C.

Both San Francisco and Wichita have midlatitude cold desert climates, though the January temperatures of the two vary because Denver is slightly farther north.

Both San Francisco and Wichita have Mediterranean climates with moderate winters averaging 9° to 11° C.

Submit

Part D

A biome is a large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna. Biomes are typically defined based upon the dominant vegetation type that have formed in response to shared climate characteristics.

1. Remove Global Mean Temperature, January.
2. Select Biomes and select Split map window.
3. Zoom to sub-Saharan Africa and Change projection to Mollweide.
4. Show Physical Labels.

In the Ethiopian Highlands of East Africa, the climate zone of humid subtropical winters and dry, hot-to-warm summers is primarily associated with which of the following biomes?

View Available Hint(s)

A biome is a large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna. Biomes are typically defined based upon the dominant vegetation type that have formed in response to shared climate characteristics.

1. Remove Global Mean Temperature, January.
2. Select Biomes and select Split map window.
3. Zoom to sub-Saharan Africa and Change projection to Mollweide.
4. Show Physical Labels.

In the Ethiopian Highlands of East Africa, the climate zone of humid subtropical winters and dry, hot-to-warm summers is primarily associated with which of the following biomes?

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

Deserts and xeric shrublands

Montane grasslands and shrublands

Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Flooded grasslands and savannas

Answer 1

1. More than about a half of this climate falls within 40-59 inches of precipitation a year , that is Cfa ( humid, subtropical, moist all year, hot summer). Option a

2. It is the humid continental hot summer type of climate ( Dfa, Dwa, Dsa ) which has january temperatures of 15 to 17 degree celsius. Option d

3. While San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, Wichita has a humid continental, hot summer climate with cold winters averaging -5° to 0° C. Option B

4. Montane grasslands and shrublands dominate the biome in Ethiopian highlands. Thus option C