weather and climate

• relief (orographic) rainfall, occurs occurs when moist air is forced to ascend over a mountain range. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and precipitation. This process typically results in heavy rainfall on the windward side of the mountains, while the leeward side experiences drier conditions, often referred to as a rain shadow.
• Frontal (cyclonic) rain forms when a warm air mass meets a cold air mass. The warmer, less dense air rises over the colder, denser air, cools down, and condenses to form clouds and precipitation. This type of rainfall commonly occurs along weather fronts, where these air masses interact.
• Convectional rainfall occurs when the sun heats the Earth's surface, causing the warm, moist air to rise rapidly. As the air ascends, it cools and condenses to form clouds and precipitation. This type of rainfall is common in tropical regions and during summer afternoons.
• A rain shadow is a dry area on the side of a mountain that is sheltered from the wind. Mountains force moist air to rise and cool, causing rain to fall on the side facing the wind. The air that moves over the mountain and down the other side is dry, leading to much less rainfall in that sheltered area.
• Latitude is a geographical coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is measured in degrees, ranging from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles. Lines of latitude, also known as parallels, run horizontally around the globe.
• 1. Tropical Zone: Located near the Equator, this zone receives the most direct sunlight throughout the year. Consequently, it experiences consistently high temperatures and abundant rainfall. The angle of sunlight is nearly perpendicular, resulting in intense heating and strong convection currents, leading to the formation of tropical rainforests and savannas.
• 1. Subtropical Zone: Positioned slightly farther from the Equator than the tropical zone, the subtropical zone receives less direct sunlight. This leads to milder temperatures, but still generally warm, especially during the summer months. The reduced angle of sunlight results in less intense heating and fewer convection currents, contributing to the formation of deserts and Mediterranean climates.
• 1. Temperate Zone: Situated at mid-latitudes, the temperate zone experiences a wide range of temperatures throughout the year due to the varying angle of sunlight. It receives moderate amounts of solar radiation, with more variation between seasons compared to tropical and subtropical zones. This variation leads to the distinct four-season cycle characteristic of temperate climates.
• 1. Polar Zone: Located at high latitudes near the poles, the polar zone receives the least amount of solar radiation. The angle of sunlight is very low, resulting in weak heating and little to no direct sunlight during winter months. Consequently, temperatures remain consistently cold, and ice and snow cover much of the area year-round, creating tundra and polar ice cap climates.
• 1. Arctic and Antarctic Zones: These zones are situated closest to the poles and receive the least solar radiation of all the climatic zones. During their respective summer seasons, there are extended periods of continuous sunlight (midnight sun), while during winter, there are extended periods of darkness (polar night). The extreme cold and lack of sunlight support the existence of permanent ice caps and glaciers.