1. The annual precipitation is low and is around 15 cm.
2. The development of pronounced winter anticyclones and their weakening in summer sets in monsoon-like reversal of wind in this region.
3. Polewards, summer temperatures are low.
Select the answer from the options given below:
Understanding Climate Characteristics
The question asks to identify a specific climate type based on three key characteristics:
- Low annual precipitation, approximately 15 cm.
- Seasonal reversal of winds, similar to monsoons, caused by winter anticyclones and summer weakening.
- Cool summer temperatures, especially at higher latitudes (polewards).
Climate Type Analysis
Let's analyze how these characteristics match the options provided:
Characteristic 1: Low Annual Precipitation
The annual precipitation is stated to be low, around 15 cm. This is a defining feature of arid or semi-arid climates, or climates found in very cold regions where precipitation is limited.
- Subtropical steppe climates are semi-arid and receive low rainfall, but often slightly more than 15 cm.
- Humid sub-tropical climate is characterized by high rainfall, ruling it out immediately.
- Cold climate with dry winters typically receives low precipitation, often concentrated in specific seasons or as snow, fitting the low amount described.
- Tundra climate also experiences low precipitation, often less than 25 cm, due to cold air holding little moisture.
Based on precipitation alone, options 1, 3, and 4 are plausible, while option 2 is not.
Characteristic 2: Monsoon-like Wind Reversal
This characteristic points towards a climate influenced by large seasonal pressure differences over continents. The development of strong winter high-pressure systems (anticyclones) and weaker summer systems causes winds to shift direction seasonally.
- This pattern is strongly associated with continental climates, which experience significant temperature variations between seasons.
- While subtropical regions can have monsoon influences, the description of pronounced winter anticyclones and their weakening in summer is more typical of mid-latitude continental interiors.
- Tundra climates are primarily driven by extreme cold, and while wind exists, a distinct monsoon-like reversal isn't their defining feature.
- A Cold climate with dry winters often occurs in continental interiors at higher latitudes, where such seasonal wind shifts are common.
This characteristic favors option 3.
Characteristic 3: Low Summer Temperatures (Polewards)
The mention of low summer temperatures, particularly "polewards," indicates a climate found at higher latitudes or altitudes.
- Subtropical steppe climates typically have hot summers.
- Cold climate with dry winters inherently involves low temperatures, including cool summers at higher latitudes.
- Tundra climate is defined by extremely cold temperatures year-round, with very short, cool summers.
This characteristic supports both options 3 and 4, but combined with the wind reversal, option 3 becomes stronger.
Conclusion
Considering all three characteristics together:
- Low precipitation (15 cm) fits arid, semi-arid, and cold/polar regions.
- Monsoon-like wind reversal points towards continental influence and seasonal pressure changes.
- Low summer temperatures suggest higher latitudes or altitudes.
The combination strongly matches a Cold climate with dry winters. This type of climate is often found in continental interiors, experiences significant seasonal temperature shifts, has low annual precipitation (especially dry winters), and can exhibit seasonal wind patterns due to pressure system variations. While Tundra also has low temperatures and precipitation, the monsoon-like wind reversal is less characteristic than in a cold continental climate.
Similar Questions
- Consider the following statements about the causes of ground surface inversion of temperature :
1. Ground surface inversion is also termed as radiation inversion.
2. The existence of negative lapse rate results in surface inversion.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? - Consider the following pairs with reference to world climate types and their characteristics :
(Climate) (Characteristic) I. Tropical wet
and dry: Winter dry season II. Mid-latitude
steppe: Mid-latitude semi-arid
or dryIII. Humid
sub-tropical: No dry season, warm
summerIV. Marine west
coast: No dry season, severely
cold summer
How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ? - The pattern of planetary winds largely depends upon which of the following factors ?
1. Latitudinal variation of atmospheric heating
2. The distribution of continents and oceans
3. The rotation of earth
Which of the above is/are correct? - Consider the following statements regarding the rivers of India :
1. The Barak River, the head stream of the Meghna, rises in the hills of Meghalaya.
2. The Ghaggar River does not drain out to the sea and gets lost in the Rajasthan desert.
3. Puthimari and Manas are important tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? - Consider the following statements :
1. Ocean currents are dominated by huge surface gyres that are driven by the global surface wind pattern.
2. Equatorial currents move cold water westward and then poleward along the east coasts of continents.
With regard to the statements given above, which of the following is correct? - Eratosthenes, a Greek philosopher measured the Earth's circumference based on the angle of Sun rays at two different points. Which cities were they?
Important Questions from Climatology
In which of the following atmospheric layers ozone gas is concentrated?
Ozone layer depletion is a major phenomenon in :
By which layer of the atmosphere the ultra-violet rays are absorbed ?
______ is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.
Which of the following is correct about insolation?
I. It influences the distribution of temperature.
II. It increases from the equator towards the poles.
