0% found this document useful (0 votes)
300 views12 pages

Characteristics of Tropical Climates

The document describes various tropical climates and their characteristics. It divides tropical climates into 3 main groups - warm humid, hot dry desert, and composite. Warm humid climates are near the equator with high temperatures and humidity. Hot dry desert climates have low precipitation and humidity. Composite climates experience seasonal changes with periods that have characteristics of both warm humid and hot dry desert climates. The document also discusses specific subtypes and provides details on temperature, precipitation, and other climate factors for each.

Uploaded by

Nidhi Mehta
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
300 views12 pages

Characteristics of Tropical Climates

The document describes various tropical climates and their characteristics. It divides tropical climates into 3 main groups - warm humid, hot dry desert, and composite. Warm humid climates are near the equator with high temperatures and humidity. Hot dry desert climates have low precipitation and humidity. Composite climates experience seasonal changes with periods that have characteristics of both warm humid and hot dry desert climates. The document also discusses specific subtypes and provides details on temperature, precipitation, and other climate factors for each.

Uploaded by

Nidhi Mehta
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Tropical Climates
  • Climatic Zones of India

TROPICAL CLIMATES

FOUND BETWEEN & AROUND THE TROPICS OF CANCER & CAPRICON


2 DOMINANT FACTORS OF AIR TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
DETERMINE THE HUMAN COMFORT
DIVIDED INTO 3 MAJOR GROUPS
WARM HUMID, HOT DRY DESERT , COMPOSITE
AND 3 SUB GROUPS
WARM HUMID ISLAND, HOT DRY DESERT MARITIME, UPLAND
TROPICAL CLIMATES
WARM HUMID
REGION NEAR THE EQUATOR AND UPTO 15 DEG N & S
COLOMBO, SINGAPORE, JAKARTA
SEASONAL VARIATION IS MINIMUM IN THE YEAR
AIR TEMPERATURE (DBT) - MEAN MAX OF 27 – 32 deg DAY TIME, 21 – 27 deg AT
NIGHT.
DIURNAL AND ANNUAL RANGE OF TEMPERATURE IS LESS
HUMIDITY (RH) - HIGH 75% BUT VARIES FROM 55% - 100%
PRECIPITATION - HIGH ANNUAL RAINFALL CAN BE 2000 TO 5000 MM
SKY CONDITIONS – CLOUDY WITH 60 TO 90%, BRIGHT SKIES LUMINANCE 7000 CD/SQ
M
SOLAR RADIATION – REFLECTED AND SCATTERED BY CLOUDS HENCE DIFFUSED
RADIATION ON THE GROUND, BUT NOT EASILY RE-RADIATED BACK.
WIND VELOCITIES – LOW,1 OR 2 DOMINANT DIRECTION
VEGETATION – THICK , GROUND IS WATERLOGGED
FUNGAL GROWTH, RUSTING CAUSE DECAY OF MATERIALS. MOSQUITOES PREVALENT.
STORMS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY LIGHTNING
TROPICAL CLIMATES
WARM HUMID ISLAND CLIMATE
ISLANDS IN THE EQUATOR REGION AND TRADE WIND ZONE.
CARRIBEAN, PHILIPPINES
SEASONAL VARIATION IS MINIMUM IN THE YEAR
AIR TEMPERATURE (DBT) - MEAN MAX OF 29 -32 deg DAY TIME, 18 - 24 deg AT
NIGHT.
DIURNAL RANGE IS 8 deg & ANNUAL RANGE IS 14 deg
HUMIDITY (RH) - 55% - 100 %
PRECIPITATION - HIGH ANNUAL RAINFALL CAN BE 1000 TO 1800 MM.
SKY CONDITIONS – CLEAR OR BRIGHT WHITE CLOUDS LUMINANCE LOW
SOLAR RADIATION – STRONG AND DIRECT
WIND VELOCITIES – TRADE WINDS AT 6 - 7 M/S, DRIVING RAIN CAN BE ALMOST
HORIZONTAL
VEGETATION – LESS DENSE , WATER TABLE IS FAIRLY LOW
CYCLONES & HURRICANES, CORROSION DUE TO HIGH SALT CONTENT IN
ATMOSPHERE
TROPICAL CLIMATES
HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE
REGION BETWEEN 15 & 30 deg N & S
PHOENIX, RAJASTHAN
PREDOMINANTLY HOT , COOL SEASON
AIR TEMPERATURE (DBT) – SUMMER MEAN MAX OF 43 - 49 deg DAY TIME, 24 - 30
deg AT NIGHT.
WINTER MEAN MAX OF 27 - 32 deg DAY TIME, 10 - 18 deg AT NIGHT.
DIURNAL RANGE IS HIGH
HUMIDITY (RH) – LOW 10 - 55%
PRECIPITATION – LOW 50 – 150MM
SKY CONDITIONS – CLEAR BLUE SKIES, LUMINANCE LOW 2500 CD/ SQ M
SOLAR RADIATION – STRONG AND DIRECT, RE-RADIATED AT NIGHT
WIND VELOCITIES – LOCAL WINDS CAUSED BY HEATING OF EARTH’S SURFACE
VEGETATION – SPARSE, DRY SOIL
DUST AND SAND STORMS, RAPID HEATING AND COOLING CAUSES CRACKING OF
MATERIAL
TROPICAL CLIMATES
HOT DRY DESERT MARITIME CLIMATE
REGION BETWEEN 15 & 30 deg N & S WHERE THE SEA IS ADJACENT TO LAND MASS
KARACHI
PREDOMINANTLY HOT , COOL SEASON
AIR TEMPERATURE (DBT) – SUMMER MEAN MAX OF 38 deg DAY TIME, 24 - 20deg AT
NIGHT.
WINTER MEAN MAX OF 21 - 26 deg DAY TIME, 10 - 18 deg AT NIGHT.
DIURNAL RANGE IS HIGH
HUMIDITY (RH) – HIGH 50 - 90%
PRECIPITATION – LOW
SKY CONDITIONS – CLEAR WITH SOME CLOUDS, LUMINANCE LOW 2500 CD/ SQ M
SOLAR RADIATION – STRONG AND DIRECT, MORE DIFFUSED DUE TO CLOUDS, GLARE
WIND VELOCITIES – LOCAL WINDS CAUSED DUE TO UNEVEN HEATING OF LAND AND
SEA SURFACES ,FROM COAST TOWARDS LAND DURING DAY, REVERSED DURING NIGHT
VEGETATION – SPARSE, DRY SOIL
DUST AND SAND STORMS, CORROSION DUE TO SALT CONTENT IN AIR
TROPICAL CLIMATES
COMPOSITE CLIMATE
LAND NEAR THE TROPICS OF CANCER AND CAPRICON BUT FAR FROM EQUATOR TO
HAVE SEASONAL CHANGES - NEW DELHI, LAHORE
2/3RD OF YEAR HOT DRY , 1/3RD WARM HUMID, COOL DRY
AIR TEMPERATURE (DBT)
DAY TIME: 32 – 43 / 27 – 32 / UPTO 27 deg
NIGHT TIME: 21 – 27 / 24 – 27 / 4 – 10 deg
DIURNAL RANGE 11 – 22 / 3 – 6 / 11 – 22 deg
HUMIDITY (RH) – LOW 20 – 55% & HIGH 55 - 95%
PRECIPITATION – MONSOONS ANNUAL RAIN FALL 500 TO 1300 MM
SKY CONDITIONS – CLEAR WITH DARK BLUE SKIES IN DRY MONTHS, OVERCAST IN
MONSOONS
SOLAR RADIATION – STRONG AND DIRECT IN DRY MONTHS, DIFFUSED DUE TO CLOUDS
IN MONSOONS
WIND VELOCITIES – HOT AND DUSTY, MONSOON WINDS STRONG.
VEGETATION – SPARSE BUT CHANGES WITH THE RAINS – BECOMES VERDANT
DUST AND SAND STORMS, TERMITE CONCERN
TROPICAL CLIMATES
TROPICAL UPLAND CLIMATE
MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS AND PLATEAU 900 – 1200 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL. MEXICO
CITY AND NAIROBI.
SEASONAL VARIATIONS ARE SMALL AND VARIES.
AIR TEMPERATURE (DBT) DECREASES WITH ALTITUDE , AT 1800M
DAY TIME: 24 – 30 deg
NIGHT TIME: 10 – 13 deg
DIURNAL RANGE 11 – 20 deg
HUMIDITY (RH) –HIGH 45 - 99%
PRECIPITATION – HEAVY RAINS NOT LESS THAN 1000 MM ANNUALLY
SKY CONDITIONS – CLEAR OR PARTLY CLOUDY( 40%)
SOLAR RADIATION – STRONG AND DIRECT , UV RADIATION IS MORE STRONGER AT
HIGHER ALTITUDES
WIND VELOCITIES – NORTH EAST AND SOUTH EAST DIRECTIONS UPTO 15 M /S.
VEGETATION – MODERATE BUT NOT LUXURIANT.
HEAVY DEW, HAIL AND THUNDER STORMS WITH LIGHTNING.
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
KOPPEN CLASSIFICATION
TROPICAL WET (WARM HUMID)
PERSISTENT HIGH TEMPERATURES
AND HEAVY RAINFALL ABOVE 780
MM/YR
LAKSHDWEEP, WESTERN GHATS AND
SOUTHERN PARTS OF ASSAM
TROPICAL WET & DRY
SUMMERS AND WINTERS ARE DRY.
TEMPERATURE IN SUMMER
AVERAGES AT 45 deg
RAINFALL 750 – 1500 MM/YR
PLATEAU OF PENNINSULAR INDIA
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
HOT DRY (SEMI ARID)
SUMMERS ARE HOT, AVERAGES
OF 32 deg & ABOVE
SITUATED IN THE RAIN SHADOW
AREA, RAINFALL UNRELIABLE,
FAMINE ZONE
KARNATAKA, ANDHRA PRADESH,
MAHARASHTRA AND TAMIL NADU
PUNJAB, HARYANA – RAINFALL
MORE BUT UNRELIABLE, SUMMER
AVERAGES ARE 40 deg & ABOVE
HOT DRY (ARID)
SCANTY RAINFALL AND EXTREME
TEMPERATURES 50 deg IN
SUMMERS & 0 deg IN WINTERS.
RAJASTHAN, PART OF GUJARAT
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
SUBTROPICAL HUMID
RAINFALL 650 MM TO 2500 MM
NEAR THE MOUNTAINS
SUMMERS ARE HOT, WINTERS
ARE DRY AND COLD
FOOTHILLS OF HIMALAYAS,
PUNJAB-HARYANA PLAIN NEAR
HIMALAYAS, RAJASTHAN NEAR
ARAVALLI RANGE, BIHAR,
UTTARPRADESH, NORTHERN
PART OF WEST BENGAL AND
ASSAM
MOUNTAIN
HIMALAYAS ,TEMPERATURE FALLS
WITH EVERY 100 M RISE IN
ALTITUDE. VEGETATION VARIES
FROM TROPICAL TO TUNDRA

Common questions

Powered by AI

Composite climates, prevalent in regions like New Delhi and Lahore, experience varied thermal environments with two-thirds of the year being hot and dry and one-third warm and humid. Daytime temperatures reach between 32-43 degrees in dry months and 24-27 degrees in cooler months, with humidity oscillating from low (20-55%) to high (55-95%). The architectural designs here necessitate features that regulate temperature dispersion during peak summers and maximize ventilation and humidity control during monsoons . Tropical wet climates, typified by regions close to the equator, maintain relatively stable temperatures high humidity (above 75%) throughout the year, with daytime temperatures of 27-32 degrees. Buildings in such regions require robust moisture management systems and cooling strategies due to high humidity and temperature consistency. Here, architecture must account for constant rain and humid conditions to maintain indoor thermal comfort without reliance on mechanical systems . The demands on architectural design thus vary greatly based on climate, focusing on either temperature variation or humidity management accordingly.

Hot dry desert climates, like those in regions such as Phoenix and Rajasthan, face severe environmental challenges including high diurnal temperature variations (43-49 degrees Celsius during the day and 24-30 at night in summer), low humidity (10-55%), low annual precipitation (50-150 mm), and strong, direct solar radiation. These conditions result in dust and sand storms, which rapidly heat and cool surfaces, causing materials to crack and erode, as well as contributing to corrosion due to constant sand abrasion. The sparse vegetation fails to mitigate these effects, leaving buildings highly exposed to the environment . These challenges necessitate innovative architectural solutions that can reduce heat absorption, protect against dust infiltration, and utilize materials resistant to thermal expansion and corrosion.

Tropical climates significantly impact vegetation types, which in turn support diverse local ecosystems. In warm humid regions, proximity to the equator results in lush, thick vegetation due to high humidity (around 75-100%) and significant annual rainfall (2000-5000 mm). This dense plant growth provides habitats for various species, contributing to rich biodiversity and ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and soil stabilization . In contrast, hot dry desert climates, with sparse and drought-resistant vegetation, support fewer species adapted to extreme heat and moisture scarcity, thus limiting ecosystem services primarily to sand stabilization and limited wildlife sustenance . Vegetation diversity in these climates is crucial for maintaining ecological balance, recycling nutrients, and supporting local communities reliant on biodiversity for livelihood.

Climatic variations in tropical upland regions like Mexico City and Nairobi, characterized by their high altitudes (900-1200m), lead to distinct atmospheric phenomena. The drop in temperature due to altitude results in cooler temperatures in ranges of 24-30 degrees during the day and 10-13 degrees at night, with a high humidity range (45-99%) and substantial annual precipitation over 1000 mm. The increased UV radiation due to altitude intensifies condensation processes, leading to heavy dew at night and frequent hailstorms. Additionally, these regions experience thunderstorms enhanced by the convergence of northeast and southeast winds that catalyze electrical activity in the atmosphere, providing the energy required for thunderstorm development . Such atmospheric events are common in these climates, influencing local weather patterns and environmental conditions.

Climatic zones under the Koppen system illustrate significant differences in temperature and precipitation patterns. Tropical wet (warm humid) climates, such as in the Western Ghats and southern Assam, consistently experience high temperatures with heavy annual rainfall exceeding 780 mm, maintaining persistent humidity year-round without significant seasonal change . Conversely, tropical wet and dry climates, predominantly found in the Peninsula of India, exhibit marked differences between wet summers—with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees—and dry winters, with annual rainfall between 750-1500 mm. This region experiences pronounced dry spells and seasonal variations in vegetation and humidity . The distinct characteristics in each zone affect local agriculture, biodiversity, and water resource management strategies.

Warm humid islands have mean maximum daytime temperatures between 29-32 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures between 18-24 degrees Celsius, with a diurnal temperature range of 8 degrees. Humidity ranges from 55% to 100%, with annual precipitation between 1000 to 1800 mm, usually clear or bright skies, and trade winds at 6-7 m/s, resulting in a maritime climate with significant weather phenomena like hurricanes and cyclones . In contrast, hot dry deserts exhibit significant temperature variances with summer maxima of 43-49 degrees during the day and 24-30 degrees at night, with humidity levels as low as 10-55%, and precipitation between 50-150 mm annually. The climate is characterized by clear blue skies, sparse vegetation, and local winds causing dust and sand storms due to extreme heating and cooling, impacting human comfort through potential dehydration and temperature extremes .

Tropical upland regions such as Mexico City are located at higher altitudes (900-1200m above sea level), which leads to cooler air temperatures between 24-30 degrees during the day and 10-13 degrees at night, with a high humidity range of 45-99% and heavy annual precipitation over 1000 mm. These regions experience strong direct solar radiation with increased UV intensity and moderate vegetation . In contrast, coastal regions like Karachi have lower altitude and are influenced by the adjacent sea, leading to summer mean maximum temperatures around 38 degrees, nighttime temperatures between 20-24 degrees, and high humidity levels between 50-90%. Precipitation is low, and the area's climate is influenced by land-sea breezes, leading to strong and direct solar radiation, frequent sand storms, and sparse vegetation affected by salt content in the air . The geographic location directly impacts the climate, affecting vegetation, human habitation, and potential for agriculture and habitation comfort.

In mountain climates such as the Himalayas, temperature decreases with increases in altitude, a phenomenon driven by atmospheric pressure declines with elevation. For every 100 meters increase in altitude, the temperature typically decreases by 0.65 degrees Celsius, leading to a range of climates from subtropical to tundra as one ascends. This variation supports diverse vegetation zones and unique microclimates across altitudinal gradients, influencing local weather patterns, and affecting biodiversity. The cooling effect also mitigates the effects of global warming at higher altitudes through consistent temperature drops and thermocline stabilizing ecosystems sensitive to temperature shifts . This altitudinal temperature variation impacts ecological zones, human habitation, and broader climatic conditions in mountainous regions.

Hot dry desert maritime climates, such as those in Karachi, are significantly influenced by their proximity to large bodies of water. These areas experience predominantly high temperatures in summer (mean max of 38 degrees Celsius) and cooler winters (21-26 degrees during the day), with high humidity ranging from 50-90%, attributed to the adjacent sea. Precipitation remains low, typically sporadic and insufficient, reflecting the desert's dry conditions. The climate's maritime nature also moderates temperatures and increases diurnal temperature ranges, introducing a consistent pattern of land-sea breezes that dictate daily temperature and humidity variations. This results in phenomena such as corrosion due to moist, salty air and local storm activity driven by the interactions between sea temperatures and land heating, impacting coastal infrastructure and habitation .

Warm humid climates provide an optimal environment for fungal growth due to high temperatures (27-32 degrees Celsius during the day) coupled with humidity levels consistently above 75% and potentially peaking at 100%. The stable, moist conditions near the equator with minimal seasonal variation create a perennial environment conducive to fungi and mold proliferation in both natural and built environments. The abundant availability of moisture and relatively high air temperatures accelerates decay processes in organic materials. This promotes rapid fungal colonization on surfaces, impacting both ecosystem health by breaking down organic matter and causing structural integrity issues through material decay and health concerns related to mold spore distribution . Effective moisture control and ventilation strategies are essential in managing these impacts in such climates.

TROPICAL CLIMATES
FOUND BETWEEN & AROUND THE TROPICS OF CANCER & CAPRICON
2 DOMINANT FACTORS  OF AIR TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
TROPICAL CLIMATES
WARM HUMID 
REGION NEAR THE EQUATOR  AND UPTO 15 DEG N & S
COLOMBO, SINGAPORE, JAKARTA
SEASONAL VARIATION I
TROPICAL CLIMATES
WARM HUMID ISLAND CLIMATE 
ISLANDS IN THE EQUATOR REGION AND TRADE WIND ZONE.
CARRIBEAN, PHILIPPINES
SEASON
TROPICAL CLIMATES
HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE 
REGION BETWEEN 15 & 30 deg N & S 
PHOENIX, RAJASTHAN
PREDOMINANTLY HOT , COOL SEASO
TROPICAL CLIMATES
HOT DRY DESERT MARITIME CLIMATE 
REGION BETWEEN 15 & 30 deg N & S WHERE THE SEA IS ADJACENT TO LAND MASS
KA
TROPICAL CLIMATES
COMPOSITE CLIMATE 
LAND NEAR THE TROPICS OF CANCER AND CAPRICON BUT FAR FROM EQUATOR TO 
HAVE SEASONAL CHAN
TROPICAL CLIMATES
TROPICAL UPLAND CLIMATE 
MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS AND PLATEAU 900 – 1200 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL. MEXICO 
CITY AND NAI
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
KOPPEN CLASSIFICATION
TROPICAL WET (WARM HUMID)
PERSISTENT HIGH TEMPERATURES 
AND HEAVY RAINFALL ABOV
CLIMATIC ZONES OF INDIA
HOT DRY (SEMI ARID)
SUMMERS ARE HOT, AVERAGES 
OF 32 deg & ABOVE
SITUATED IN THE RAIN SHADOW 
AREA, R

You might also like