UNDERSTANDING

TROPICAL CLIMATE
Ar. Rino D.A. Fernandez
Introduction:

Understanding Climate

- Climate

- Macroclimate

- Mesoclimate

- Microclimate
Vitruvius in the 6th book of his The ten books on
Architecture

If our designs for private houses are to be

correct, we must at the outset note of the
countries and climates in which they are
built. One style of the house seems
appropriate to build in Egypt, another in
Spain, a different kind in Pontus, one still
different in Rome and so on with lands
and countries of other characteristics.
In the Tropics Hot Humid

Stable high humidity and temperature,

no defined seasons and only little
climatic difference between day and
night. In the rainforest, humidity is
constantly high in precipitation
throughout the year. The heavy cload
cover reduces radiation but may also
cause strong glare.
In the Tropics Hot Humid

Buildings in these areas are typically

open skeleton with large roofs to protect
against and divert rain.
Most often building materials are
lightweight materials such as bamboo,
fibers or leaves.
The light walls ensure that the houses
are well ventilated and make possible
use of wing for ventilation
In the Tropics Hot Humid

Floors and shaded terraces are raised

above the terrain to protect against
flooding, moisture and small animals and
to provide ventilation through the floor.
Houses may also be placed on water to
make maximum use of the cooling
caused by evaporation.Outrdoor
kitchesn remove heat, air insects,
rodents and fire hazards from the
buildings
Primary Influence on Climate
The major influence governing the climate of a
region is its
latitude.
A broad latitudinal division of the earth's surface
into climatic zones based on global winds
includes the equatorial zone, or doldrums or
equatorial belt of calms, area around the earth
centered slightly north of the equator between
the two belts of trade winds.
.....
Primary Influence on Climate

..... Characterized by high temperatures with small seasonal and

diurnal change and heavy rainfall; the subtropical, including the
trade-wind belts and the horse latitudes , two belts of latitude where
winds are light and the weather is hot and dry. They are located
mostly over the oceans, at about 30 lat. in each hemisphere, and
have a north-south range of about 5 as they follow the seasonal
migration of the a dry region with uniformly mild temperatures and
little wind; the intermediate, the region of the prevailing westerlies
that, because of several secondary influences, displays wide
temperature ranges and marked changeability of weather; and the
polar, a region of short summers and long winters, where the ground
is generally perpetually frozen (see permafrost, permanently frozen
soil, subsoil, or other deposit, characteristic of arctic and some
subarctic regions; similar conditions are also found at very high
altitudes in mountain ranges.
Primary Influence on Climate

The transitional climate between those of

the subtropical and intermediate zones,
known as the Mediterranean type, is found
in areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea
and on the west coasts of continents. It is
characterized by mild temperatures with
moderate winter rainfall under the influence
of the moisture-laden prevailing westerlies
and dry summers under the influence of the
horse latitudes or the trade winds.
Secondary Influences on Climate
The influence of latitude on climate is modified by one or more secondary influences including
position relative to land and water masses, altitude, topography topography , description or
representation of the features and configuration of land surfaces. Topographic maps use symbols
and coloring, with particular attention given to the shape and elevations of terrain.
..... Click the link for more information. , prevailing winds, ocean ocean, interconnected mass of
saltwater covering 70.78% of the surface of the earth, often called the world ocean. It is subdivided
into four (or five) major units that are separated from each other in most cases by the continental
masses. See also oceanography.
..... Click the link for more information. currents, and prevalence of cyclonic storms. Climatic types
combining the basic factor of latitude with one or more secondary influences include the
continental and the marine. Except in the equatorial region, the continental type is marked by dry,
sunny weather with low humidity and seasonal extremes in temperature; noteworthy are the
Sahara (with the highest temperature on record, 136&degF;, or 58&degC;, at Tripoli) and Siberia
(with the lowest recorded surface temperature, 93.6&degF;, or 70&degC;, at Verkhoyansk).
Marine climates are characterized by small annual and diurnal temperature variation and by
copious rainfall on the windward side of coastal highlands and mountainous islands; notable is the
mean annual precipitation of 451 in. (1146 cm) at Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii.
The coastal, or littoral, climate is one in which the direction of the prevailing winds plays a
dominant rolethe east coasts having generally the heavier rainfall in the trade-wind belts, the
west coasts in westerly belts. Both coasts have a climate resembling the continental during the
season when the wind is blowing from the interior of the continent. An instance of the coastal type,
in which the precipitation is accentuated by the nearness of a mountain barrier, is the west coast
of North America from Alaska to Oregon, where the mean annual precipitation averages 80 to 100
in. (203 to 254 cm), almost all of it falling during the winter months. Elevation is the dominant factor
in mountain and plateau climates, with the temperature decreasing about 3&degF; per 1,000 ft
(1.7&degC; per 305 m) of ascent and rainfall increasing with altitude up to about 6000 ft (1829 m),
then decreasing with further elevation.
Introduction: CLIMATE
Introduction: CLIMATE
Macroclimate
the climate of large geographic areas such as geographic zones,
continents and oceans or large parts thereof, or even the entire
earth; macroclimate deals with the main climatic features of
these areas. If such a part of the earths surface is sufficiently
uniform in its geographic factors and conditions of general
atmospheric circulation it will have a certain macroclimate. For
example, it is possible to speak of the macro-climate of the
tradewinds zone, of Eastern Siberia, of the Mediterranean Basin,
and the Antarctic Plateau. Macroclimates are characterized by
quantitative indexes that refer to the entire area being
considered (that is, intervals within which particular climatic
characteristics change throughout the area or their average
values for the entire area). The macroclimate is contrasted with
the local climate and microclimate.
Introduction: MACROCLIMATE
MESOCLIMATE(climatology)
The climate of small areas of the earth's surface
which may not be representative of the general
climate of the district. A climate characterized by
moderate temperatures, that is, in the range 20-
30C. Also known as mesothermal climate.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/mesoclimate-

climatology#ixzz1PpFCcf6w
Introduction: MESOCLIMATE
Microclimate

Climatic condition in a relatively small area,

within a few feet above and below the Earth's
surface and within canopies of vegetation.
Microclimates are affected by such factors as
temperature, humidity, wind and turbulence,
dew, frost, heat balance, evaporation, the nature
of the soil and vegetation, the local topography,
latitude, elevation, and season. Weather and
climate are sometimes influenced by
microclimatic conditions, especially by variations
in surface characteristics.
Introduction: MICROCLIMATE
Introduction: MICROCLIMATE
THE TROPICAL CLIMATE
Warm Humid
Climate in the Tropics:

Warm Humid: Location

- areas between 7 north & south of the equator

Climate in the Tropics:

Warm Humid: Conditions

- with high relative humidity

- high average temperatures
- cloudy skies
- sky glare can be distressing
- intense rainfall
- abundant vegetation
- fungi are a persistent problem
Climate in the Tropics:

Warm Humid: Countries

- Brisbane, Australia
- Indonesia
- Caribbean
- Barbados
- Venezuela
THE TROPICAL CLIMATE
Hot Dry
Climate in the Tropics:

Hot Dry: Location

- areas between 15 & 30 north & south of the

equator
Climate in the Tropics:

Hot Dry: Conditions

- hot during day time, cold during night time

- low humidity
- clear skies
- intense solar radiation
- minimal rainfall
- wind carrying dust and sand
Climate in the Tropics:

Hot Dry: Countries

- Arizona
- Dubai
- Qatar
- Mexico
THE TROPICAL CLIMATE
Hot Dry Maritime
Climate in the Tropics:

Hot Dry Maritime Desert: Location

- areas between 15 and 30 north and south of

the equator
Climate in the Tropics:

Hot Dry Maritime Desert: Conditions

- areas with strong maritime influence

- hot during day time, cold during night time
- high humidity
- intense solar radiation
Climate in the Tropics:

Hot Dry Maritime: Countries

- Arizona
- California
- Sta Barbara Country
- Mexico
THE TROPICAL CLIMATE
Monsoon or Transition
Climate in the Tropics:

Monsoon or Transition: Location

- areas between 23.5 north and south of the

equator
Climate in the Tropics:

Monsoon or Transition: Conditions

- dry and rainy

- low humidity
- strong solar radiation
- strong winds
Climate in the Tropics:

Monsoon or Transition: Countries

- New Delhi, India

- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Myanmar
- Brazil (northeast & southeast)
THE TROPICAL CLIMATE
Tropical Upland
Climate in the Tropics:

Tropical Upland: Location

- mountain regions, 900 meters above sea level

Climate in the Tropics:

Tropical Upland: Conditions

- larger temperature swings

- temperature is 24-30 during the day while 4-
10 during night time
- strong solar radiation
- variable winds
Climate in the Tropics:

Tropical Upland: Countries

- Quito, Equador
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Savanna
- Jamaica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the Philippines, Amihan refers to the season dominated by the

trade winds, which are experienced in the Philippines as a cool
northeast wind.[1] It is characterized by moderate temperatures, little
or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east.
As a general rule of thumb, the Philippines' Amihan weather pattern
begins sometime in September or October and ends sometime in
May or June. There may, however, be wide variations from year to
year.
Throughout the rest of the year, the Philippines experiences the west
or southwest wind; south-west monsoon which in turn is referred to as
the Habagat.
The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather,
frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west.
The main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat
seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this
transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a
period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between
Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the
pattern for the new season.