ATMO 2301 Class #9: Friday, September 18, 2009

The B Climate TypesThe Oceans

1Friday, September 18, 2009

The B (dry) climate types

• Occupy more area than any other climate group—deficient in precipitation most of year

• Have potential evaporation and transpiration that exceed precipitation

• Generally occur in 2 contexts– Near the subtropical highs– On the leeward or downwind side of mountain

ranges

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B Climate Subgroups

• There are four: BWh, BWk, BSh, BSk– W is a true desert, extremely dry– S is semi-arid, or steppe

– h is a hot climate– K is a cold (in winter) climate

– Lubbock has a BSk climate

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Fig. 17-6, p. 477

Fig. 17-7a, p. 478

Fig. 17-7b, p. 479

Table 17-1a, p. 480

Fig. 17-2, p. 472

Fig. 17-5, p. 476

Fig. 17-12, p. 484

Fig. 17-13, p. 484

Fig. 17-15, p. 486

Fig. 17-14, p. 485

Fig. 17-16, p. 486

More B Climate facts

• Subtropical deserts extend from roughly 20-30° latitude in large continental regions, often surrounded by mountains

• Xerophytes are plants capable of surviving long periods of drought—cacti, creosote bushes and short-lived plants

• Steppe has characteristic vegetation—short bunch grass, scattered low bushes, sagebrush

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