DEFINITION OF TROPICAL CLIMATE

The climate in the tropics depends on

which definition of the tropics is used. The equatorial belt

between 10° north and south latitude is characterized by

upwelling of warm moist air masses, and frequent thunderstorms.

Most of the deserts of the world fall between 15° and

30° latitude, because this is where cool dry air descends in

Hadley Cell global circulation belts. The major deserts of

North Africa (Sahara) and South West Asia are included in

this belt, as are the Kalahari of southern Africa, the Australian

desert, and the Sonoron of the United States and Mexico.

Thus, most of the true tropics are characterized by dry sunny

conditions, with the cool downwelling surface air dramatically

warmed on the surface. There is a large annual temperature

cycle, especially in the continental interiors, whereas coastal

regions in tropical climates show a much smaller annual temperature

variation because of the moderating effects of the

ocean. Rainfall is extremely variable, with some years showing

no rainfall in many places, and occasional intense rains in

others. Climate zones include dry tropical climate and

Mediterranean-type including subdesert. These regions are

characterized by a very large soil moisture deficiency and by

low amounts of soil water storage. Potential evapotranspiration

may be many times greater than the actual rainfall.

Tropical rainy climates and seasonal wet/dry climates characterize

other parts of the tropics. Much of the Indian Ocean

realm and southeast Asia are in the tropics and characterized by

drenching monsoonal rains, and average temperatures in all

months greater than 64°F (18°C). Tropical rainy climates have

no rainy season, and large annual rainfall that exceeds the

evaporation potential. Tropical rainforests, such as those in

southeast Asia, the southwest Pacific islands, and parts of South

and Central America receive more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) of

rain in the driest season, whereas the monsoonal tropical climate

has a pronounced dry season with some months receiving

less than 2.4 inches of rain. Tropical savanna climates have at

least one month with less than 2.4 inches of rain.

See also CLIMATE; DESERT; TROPICS.

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