Where is Tropical Wet and Dry Climate Usually Located?
Tropical Wet and Dry is found near the equator, usually on the outer edges of Tropical Wet climate areas. The largest areas of Tropical Wet/Dry are found in Africa, Brazil, and India.
What Seasons Does Tropical Wet and Dry Climate Have?
There are only 2 seasons in this climate. Wet season (summer) and dry season (winter). Usually the dry season is longer. During the dry seasons plant life and animal life struggle to deal with the dry conditions, but as the rainy season begins, plants turn green, ponds fill up, and animal life flourishes. This climate is caused by changing wind and ocean currents.
What are the Temperatures like in Tropical Wet and Dry Climate?
During the wet season, temperatures average about 77 degrees. During the dry season, temperatures average about 68 degrees. The temperatures stay high throughout the year because of the latitude where this climate occurs. Areas near the equator receive constant direct sunlight and therefore, heat. The slight difference in temperature is enough to change the wind patterns and keep this area dry for much of the year, until the winds shift and the rainy season begins.
How Much Precipitation Does Tropical Wet and Dry Climate Receive?
The change in precipitation is what gives this climate type is name. Precipitation only falls during the summer months, usually from May-August with June and July having the heaviest rain. The whole dry season usually has less than 4 inches of rain. During the wet season, at least 25 inches will fall. Some areas of Tropical Wet and Dry in the path of monsoon winds can receive incredible amounts of rain. Cherepunji, India once received over 1,000 inches of rain in a year! Northern Madagascar has the record for rain in one day--71 inches! Mawsynram, India is known as the "wettest place on earth" because they average 467 inches of rain per year. These incredible rainfall records are due to seasonal winds called monsoon, which bring dangerous amounts of rain. The map below show areas that experience monsoon wet seasons.
What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) Does Tropical Wet and Dry Climate Have?
The lack of regular rainfall prevents most trees from surviving in Tropical Wet and Dry. So, the most common vegetation are types grasses and shrubs with an few scattered trees. These types of plants have adapted to long periods of dry weather. The large areas of land covered in small shrubs, scattered trees and grass are often called savannas.
Tropical Savanna
Tropical Savanna
This is a picture of a Tropical Savanna.
What Kinds of Animals Does Tropical Wet and Dry Climate Have?
The grasslands of Tropical Wet and Dry support many herbivores (plant eaters) who graze in the grasses. Most of these animals usually migrate and run in large herds for safety. Examples include wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, elephants, giraffes, etc. Many carnivores (meat eaters) follow and hunt the herbivores. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and large birds hunt the savannas of Africa.
Climate Description (Temperatures, precipitation)
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The tropical wet and dry climate has high temperatures throughout the year, with average temperatures of around 77 degrees Fahrenheit during the wet season and around 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the dry season. Precipitation is seasonal, with the wet season receiving at least 25 inches of rain, usually from May to August, and the dry season having less than 4 inches of rain. Some areas in the path of monsoon winds can experience extremely heavy rainfall, with records exceeding 1,000 inches of rain in a year.
1. Tropical Wet and Dry climate is usually located near the equator, on the outer edges of Tropical Wet climate areas. The largest areas of this climate type are found in Africa, Brazil, and India.
2. This climate has two seasons: the wet season (summer) and the dry season (winter). The dry season is usually longer. During the dry season, plant and animal life struggle due to the lack of water, while the wet season brings rainfall, turning plants green, filling up ponds, and boosting animal life. Changing wind and ocean currents cause this climate to occur.
3. In Tropical Wet and Dry climate, temperatures stay high throughout the year due to the constant direct sunlight received at latitudes near the equator. During the wet season, temperatures average about 77 degrees Fahrenheit, while during the dry season, temperatures average about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The slight difference in temperature is enough to change the wind patterns and keep the area dry for most of the year, until the winds shift and the rainy season begins.
Tropical Wet and Dry Climate, also known as "Aw" climate according to the Köppen Climate Classification, is typically located near the equator on the outer edges of Tropical Wet climate areas. The largest areas of Tropical Wet/Dry can be found in Africa, Brazil, and India.
In terms of seasons, this climate has only two seasons: the wet season (summer) and the dry season (winter). The dry season is usually longer than the wet season. During the dry season, plant life and animal life struggle due to the dry conditions. However, once the rainy season begins, plants turn green, ponds fill up, and animal life flourishes. The changing wind and ocean currents are the main causes of this climate.
In terms of temperatures, Tropical Wet and Dry Climate experiences high temperatures throughout the year due to its proximity to the equator. During the wet season, temperatures average around 77 degrees Fahrenheit, while during the dry season, temperatures average around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Precipitation in Tropical Wet and Dry Climate is characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. Precipitation only falls during the summer months, typically from May to August, with June and July having the heaviest rain. The entire dry season usually has less than 4 inches of rain, whereas during the wet season, at least 25 inches of rain can be expected. Some areas in the path of monsoon winds can receive incredibly high amounts of rainfall.
In terms of vegetation, the lack of regular rainfall in Tropical Wet and Dry Climate prevents most trees from surviving. As a result, the most common vegetation in this climate consists of grasses, shrubs, and a few scattered trees. The large areas covered in small shrubs, scattered trees, and grasses are often referred to as savannas.
The grasslands of Tropical Wet and Dry Climate support a variety of herbivores, such as wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, elephants, and giraffes, which graze on the grasses. Many of these herbivores migrate and run in large herds for safety. Carnivores like lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and large birds, hunt these herbivores in the savannas of Africa.
Overall, Tropical Wet and Dry Climate is characterized by two seasons, high temperatures, distinct wet and dry seasons, savanna vegetation, and a variety of herbivore and carnivore animal species.