Climatology, Climatic Regions Classification, Factors Affecting Climate

Climatology

Climatology is the study of the environment and weather patterns over time which includes things like temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind patterns. This science looks at global weather patterns and the atmospheric factors that create them. Climatology examines the natural and human-made causes that affect long-term weather trends. Unlike meteorology, which focuses on daily weather forecasts, climatology looks at the long-term changes and trends in Earth’s climates over many years, decades, and even centuries.

Read More: Equatorial Climate Region

Factors Affecting Climate

1. Latitude

Places near the equator (lower latitudes) are warmer than those farther away (higher latitudes). This is because the sun’s rays hit the equator directly, while they come at an angle in temperate and polar regions.

2. Altitude

The Earth’s atmosphere gets most of its heat from the ground. The air close to the surface is warmer than the air higher up. For every 165 meters you go up, the temperature drops by about 1°C. So, as you rise in height, the temperature gets cooler.

3. Distance from the Sea

Water has high specific heat and takes longer to get heated and cool. Due to the presence of the sea, a moderating effect can be felt in the coastal areas. This reduces the daily range of temperature and increases humidity.

4. Nature of the Prevailing Winds

On-shore winds coming from the sea bring moisture and cause rainfall in the area through which they pass. The off-shore winds coming from the land are dry, help evaporation, and do not cause precipitation.

5. Cloud Cover

Cloudless areas get more sunlight, and heat from the ground can escape quickly. Because of this, sunny regions have a big difference in temperature between day and night. In contrast, cloudy areas have a smaller temperature difference between day and night.

6. Ocean Currents

Warm ocean currents raise the coast’s temperature and add moisture to the air, which sometimes causes precipitation. The cold oceanic currents decrease the temperature of the beach and the moisture-carrying capacity of air. The onshore wind blowing through the ocean can raise or lower the temperature of the interior.

7. Mountain Ranges

The mountain ranges act as a natural windbreak. Wind laden with moisture ascends along with mountain ranges and causes rainfall. The wind is descending on the mountain’s leeward side, driving very little rain.  The mountain ranges also block the very chilled or hot wind and save from the extreme effects of this wind. If the mountain range runs parallel to the direction of the prevailing wind, then it causes very little rainfall.  Example: Aravalli.

8. Nature of Soil and Vegetation Cover

Rocky or Sandy soils are good conductors of heat, whereas black soil absorbs heat more rapidly. The bare surface of the earth radiates heat rapidly and has a high range of diurnal temperature than places with vegetative cover. Forest cover, due to the transpiration mechanism, adds moisture to the air and sometimes causes precipitation.

9. Slope

Heat concentration is high at the gentler slope, e.g., in plains which raises the air temperature over it.  Its lower concentration on steeper slopes reduces temperature.

Climatic Regions Classification

A genetic classification of climate looks at the reasons for different climates, like how air masses interact. It answers the “why” behind climate differences in certain areas. On the other hand, an empirical classification uses data and measurements, focusing on temperature and rainfall. Geographers and climatologists have created ways to group climates into different types. These systems help explain and share information, but they don’t perfectly match real life.

One popular system is the Köppen classification, made by climatologist Vladimir Köppen in 1918 and updated later. It uses letters to label climates based on average rainfall and temperature, especially looking at plants. This system is easy to use with monthly weather data, but it doesn’t fully explain why climates are different.

The selection of criteria or causative factors used to draw lines between categories is the foundation of any classification system. Some climate elements used include average monthly temperatures, average monthly precipitation, total annual precipitation, air mass characteristics, ocean currents and sea-surface temperatures, moisture efficiency, insolation, and net radiation. The boundaries between zones can be considered transition zones of gradual change.

Climatology & Climate UPSC

The study of the atmosphere and weather patterns over time is known as climatology. This branch of science is concerned with recording and analysing weather patterns all over the world, as well as understanding the atmospheric conditions that cause them. It is frequently confused with meteorology, which is the study of weather and forecasting. Climatology, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with the natural and man-made forces that influence long-term weather patterns. Climatologists are scientists who specialise in this field. This article will explain the basic concept of climatology, which will help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Service exam’s Geography syllabus.

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