Mentor’s Comment:
Here we need to establish the link between global pressure belts (determines wind belts) and different climatic regions across the world. Introduction should talk about global pressure belt and the wind system. It would be more better if shown with diagram followed by description of features mentioned in diagram.
Pressure belts shifts northwards and southwards in response to the migration of sun hence forming some important climatic features of the regions. In the main body mention about the various pressure belts. For example: hot wet equatorial climate, the tropical monsoon climate, the savannah climate, desert climate in the mid latitude, the cool temperate continental climate and so on. Also mention the features of such climatic regions and conclude.
Model answer:
Global pressure belts are permanent geo-climatic features on earth produced by the differential heating of its surface.
These belts exist in pattern of alternate high and low pressure zones over the earth and they are four in numbers: equatorial low pressure belt, sub-tropical high pressure belt, sub-polar low pressure belt and polar high pressure belt (Figure below).
- Within this pattern of pressure belts, winds tend to blow from high pressure belts to low pressure belts as planetary winds.
- Due to Coriolis force winds acquire rightward and leftward tilt in northern and southern hemisphere respectively.
- Pressure and wind belts are dynamic and tend to shifts northward and southwards in response to migration of sun.
- These belts and their shifting play an important role in forming some important features of climatic regions of the world.
The hot-wet equatorial climate: This region coincides with the equatorial low pressure belt. The condition of low pressure due to high heat results in heavy precipitation and constantly high relative humidity. Hence this climate region supports luxuriant type of vegetation.
The tropical monsoon climate: The shifting of pressure and wind belts produces a unique phenomenon of monsoons in some regions between two tropics. This seasonal shift in winds and consequent precipitation results in south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon in summer and winters respectively.
The savannah climate: This region is confined within tropics in interior of the continents. The prevailing winds of the region, trade winds loose the moisture when it reaches there and create the unique climate of savannah characterized by grasslands.
The mid-latitude desert climate: This region coincides with sub-tropical high pressure belt where air descends. This condition is least favorable for precipitation. Hence in this climatic region permanently arid conditions prevail.
The warm-temperate Mediterranean climate: This climatic region is confined to the western portion of the continental masses below the high pressure belt that hovers above the region between 30o and 45o north and south of the equator. The shifting of these belts produces rainy winters and dry summers as the region comes under influence of moisture laden westerlies and dry trade winds in winters and summers respectively.
The warm-temperate eastern margin: This climatic region experienced wet summer and dry winter as it comes under wet trade winds when pressure belts shifts north in summers.
The cool temperate western margin: These regions remained permanent influence of westerlies that blow from sub-tropical high pressure belt to sub-polar low pressure belt. As a result the precipitation occurs throughout the year.
The cool temperate continental climate: it is found in the interiors of the continent mainly in the northern hemisphere under sub-polar low pressure belts. Hence the rainfall is well distributed throughout the year though it is low due to continental influence.
The cool temperate eastern margin: this region comes under influence of westerlies that blow out from the continental interiors; hence the winter iscold and dry while summers are wet.
The polar climate: this climate is found in north of the Arctic Circle in the northern hemisphere. Prevalence of anti cyclonic condition due to high pressure above results in very low precipitation mainly in form of snow.
