Temperate Climate: Charcteristics
Temperate Climate: Charcteristics
Temperate Climate: Charcteristics
TEMPERATE CLIMATE
CHARCTERISTICS
In geography, temperate latitudes of the Earth lie between the subtropics and the
polar circles. Average yearly temperatures in these regions are not extreme, not
burning hot nor freezing cold. Temperate means moderate. Unlike in the tropics,
temperatures can change greatly here, between summer and winter
The moderate climate has mild to warm summers and cool winters.
The need for winter home heating is greater than the need for summer cooling. It is a
relatively comfortable climate, especially near the coast, where summers are cooler
and winters warmer than further inland.
In the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, winters are cold and summers are
pleasantly mild.
The maritime climate is strongly influenced by the oceans, which maintain fairly
steady temperatures across the seasons.
The Temperate Zone lies between the Antarctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn
The seasons and day length differ significantly in the course of a year.
The temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold. In summers, the temperature
reaches 30 – 34 ºC during the day and 17 – 24 ºC at night.
HUMIDITY
The relative humidity is low in winters and summers, varying from 20 – 55%, and going
up to 55 – 90% during monsoons.
PRECIP ITATION
The total rainfall usually exceeds 1000 mm per year. Winters are dry in this zone.
SKY CONDITION
The sky is mostly clear with occasional presence of low, dense clouds during summers.
In the dry and cool season, it is clear with intense direct solar radiation.
In the hottest period the sky is rather hazy and radiation is more diffused.
During the monsoon period, heavy and low clouds often cover the sky, alternating
with periods of clear sky and intense solar radiation.
SOLAR RADIATION
The solar radiation in this region is more or less the same throughout the year.
In the temperate zone, the solar radiation arrives at a smaller angle, and the average
temperatures here are much cooler than in the subtropics.
WIND
During the dry period winds are dusty and hot in lower areas.
In mountainous regions, strong and regular valley winds of thermic origin occur in the
afternoon.
Lichen, moss, ferns, wildflowers and other small plants can be found on the forest
floor.
Shrubs fill in the middle level and hardwood
Trees make up the third level.
TEMPERATE REGIONS IN INDIA
Pune and Bangalore are examples of cities that fall under this climatic zone.
Areas having a moderate climate are generally located on hilly or high-plateau regions
with fairly abundant vegetation
Typical temperate deciduous forest soils are mull soils, which have a high level of
organic matter especially close to the surface that is well mixed with mineral matter.
Variations in soil materials and fertility have a strong influence on the types of trees
that will dominate the forest.
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
In the hot period, windows must be protected from solar radiation and glare.
In the cold season, however, solar heat gain through openings is desired. Hence,
shading devices should be movable, which involves a somewhat complicated
mechanism and also the attendance of the inhabitants.