Subpolar Zone

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The articles sub-polar zone and tundra climate overlap thematically. Help me to better differentiate or merge the articles (→  instructions ) . To do this, take part in the relevant redundancy discussion . Please remove this module only after the redundancy has been completely processed and do not forget to include the relevant entry on the redundancy discussion page{{ Done | 1 = ~~~~}}to mark. Florian Blaschke ( discussion ) 03:55, 20 Sep. 2014 (CEST)
  • Sub-polar zone of the earth ( tundras )
  • The subpolar zone is a climatic zone that forms the transition between polar and temperate climatic zones . According to the genetic climate classification (according to Ernst Neef and others), it is characterized by the semi-annual alternation of extra-tropical westerly winds in summer and polar easterly winds in winter.

    The subpolar zone has the following general characteristics:

    • dry and long winters
    • low summer rainfall
    • short summers (exception: countries on the Gulf Stream ); just above freezing point only in the 3 to 4 months of summer
    • no clear change of season
    • Annual mean temperature below 0 ° C
    • warmest month between +6 ° C and +10 ° C
    • Thermal (climate) and solar (lighting) seasonal climate
    • Annual precipitation below 300 mm, but humid conditions because of the low evaporation due to the low temperatures
    • wintry snow cover only 20–30 cm thick
    • Permafrost soil (prevents the soil water from seeping away)
    • Tundra

    Its border towards the equator runs almost parallel to the polar circles . Only in the highly continental regions of Asia and North America does this border shift further south. The subpolar regions are characterized by long winters lasting up to eight months and short, cool summers. This climate is caused by the influence of cold arctic air masses in winter and cool polar air in summer. The subpolar regions are generally characterized as having little precipitation. Due to the low temperatures, evaporation is low and the absolute humidity is low. Exceptions are the regions of Northern Europe influenced by the Gulf Stream . The climate of Iceland is characterized by less cold winters and rainfall of more than 1000 mm per year.

    The tundra can be assigned to the subpolar climatic zone as a vegetation zone .