12-3 What are climate zones?
Aim: What are climate zones?
OBJECTIVE: Identify and describe the three main climate zones.
Key Terms
tropical (TRAHP-ih-kuhl) zone: warm region near the equator
polar zone: cold region above 60°N and below 60°S latitude
middle-latitude zone: region between 30° and 60° N and S latitude
Lesson Summary
• A climate zone is an area with a given yearly temperature range and regular weather patterns; each
of Earth’s main climate zones is characterized by temperature and amount of rainfall.
• In tropical zone climates, the average monthly temperature is 18°C or higher.
• In polar zones, the temperature does not go above 10°C.
• In middle-latitude zones, the temperature in the coldest months averages no less than 10°C; the
warmest month averages no colder than 18°C.
OBJECTIVE: Identify and describe the three main climate zones.
Key Terms
tropical (TRAHP-ih-kuhl) zone: warm region near the equator
polar zone: cold region above 60°N and below 60°S latitude
middle-latitude zone: region between 30° and 60° N and S latitude
Lesson Summary
• A climate zone is an area with a given yearly temperature range and regular weather patterns; each
of Earth’s main climate zones is characterized by temperature and amount of rainfall.
• In tropical zone climates, the average monthly temperature is 18°C or higher.
• In polar zones, the temperature does not go above 10°C.
• In middle-latitude zones, the temperature in the coldest months averages no less than 10°C; the
warmest month averages no colder than 18°C.