Climatic zones and type of climate in Russia

The vast spaces that the country occupies do not allow us to single out a single type of Russia's climate . Significant changes in the amount of solar radiation, temperature and air humidity are noticeable when moving along and across the territory of the state. In the mountainous areas, high altitude zoning is clearly expressed, which is brightly represented in the south of the country (the Caucasus, Altai, Sayans).

All these features have had a serious impact on the process of dividing the territory into climatic regions. There are several zoning schemes, but one of them (author - BP Alisov) has become the most recognized and key one. It is based on the cyclic movement of air masses of different temperatures, as well as the amount of solar radiation. Some types of climates of Russia are more severe, others - less.

Criteria for the allocation of climatic regions

On the basis of the prevailing types of air masses , climatic belts are distinguished, which, in turn, are fragmented into separate regions. When determining their boundaries, they look at what atmospheric currents dominate the territory (from the sea or continent), how often others appear, and how much sunlight is. Therefore, climatic zones and types of climates of Russia have significant differences in humidification, heat and the sum of temperatures in the summer period.

One area can characterize one or two zones that are close in key indices in the designated sector of the continent. Places of transition of climatic regions are confirmed by differences in soils and vegetation, which are good indicators of changes in natural conditions.

Types of climates in Russia

The country is located within 3 climatic zones: arctic, subarctic and temperate. They have significant differences in the prevailing atmospheric masses and the solar radiation regime. On the territory of each belt, there are certain regimes of precipitation, temperatures, seasonality of the weather.

The number of each of the indicators can vary significantly in a certain climatic region. This leads to the appearance of natural zones. Differences are clearly manifested in the temperate zone, where a smooth transition from taiga to desert takes place. The article discusses in detail the question of what types of climates are distinguished in Russia.

Arctic belt

The Arctic type of Russia's climate includes the coast of the Arctic Ocean in the territory of Siberia, and also the majority of the islands. Here, a small amount of solar heat, which is felt only in the summer. Arctic air prevails in this place all year round.

Winter polar night prevents the sun's heat from reaching the surface. However, the air near the open water (polynya) is slightly warmed. As a result, the January temperature on the islands is -20 to -30 ºC, while on the mainland it varies from -32 to -36 ºC. In the Arctic belt, the farther west, the warmer it is due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. In winter, the weather is frosty and heavily frosty. Cyclones passing over the waist cause a slight increase in temperature and abundant precipitation in the form of snow.

Subarctic belt

The subarctic type of Russia's climate lies north of the Arctic Circle in the European part of the country, and in Siberia it reaches 60º N. It includes islands located in the south of the Barents Sea. The prevailing masses of atmospheric air vary with the time of the year.

The winter period is longer than it is to the east, the more severe. The January air temperature varies in different areas:

• Kola Peninsula - from -7 to -12 ºC.
• The basins of Siberia - up to -48 ºC.
• The Pacific coast is from -12 to -18 ºC.

The summer is cold, but in most areas it is warmer than the Arctic belt. The average July temperature increases in the direction from north to south: from +4 to +6 on Novaya Zemlya, from +12 to +14 ºC on the border with the temperate climate region. There are frequent, but not very abundant precipitation. The reason for this is the low content of water vapor in the cold air. Types of climate in Russia are different. Subarctic stands out against their background by the fact that the probability of frost on soil is maintained throughout the summer period. In this belt, three areas are distinguished. The most severe is the Siberian one. The Atlantic and the Pacific are softer.

Temperate zone

The moderate type of Russia's climate is distinguished by the predominant influence of atmospheric masses coming from temperate latitudes. There is a pronounced differentiation in terms of the amount of solar heat that falls on the earth in different months.

In winter, the amount of solar radiation is small, and most of it is reflected from the snow cover of the earth. The lower layers of air are very cool. Solar heat in summer is greater, and reflections are smaller, so warming up is more effective. As a consequence, the frosty winter and warm summer are in the temperate zone.

What type of climate is typical for Russia? The main part of the country is in the temperate climate zone, which is subdivided into 4 types: temperate and sharply continental, monsoon and continental.

Moderate continental type of climate

The entire European part of the country, as well as a small section of North-Western Siberia, falls under it. These areas are influenced by air masses from the Atlantic. A consequence of this is the mild nature of winters with weak frosts. In the cold season, thaws are possible in any month, and the average monthly temperature is -4 to -28 ºC. The warm summer period is characterized by the average July temperature from +12 to +24 ºC.

Continental type of climate

This type of climate is typical for virtually the entire West Siberian territory and the south-eastern part of the European part. The territory receives Arctic and tropical air, as well as a modified Atlantic. Mid-January temperatures range from -6 ºC near the Caspian Sea to -28 ºC in the center of Western Siberia. During the year 300 to 600 mm of precipitation falls. The average July temperature increases from 15 ºC in the southern outskirts of Siberia to 25 ºC in the Caspian Sea region.

A sharp continental type of climate

A sharp continental type of climate was formed in the territory of Central Siberia. In winter, the air cools down to -25 ... -44 ºC, and in summer it warms up to +14 ... +20 ºC. Continental atmospheric streams predominate. The weather is mostly heavily frosty, there is little snow, the days are often clear. Precipitation for the year is not more than 500 mm.

Monsoon climate type

This type of Russian climate was formed in the Far East. Winter is dominated by dry and cold air masses from the continent, so this time of year is the same as in the sharply continental climate (severe frosts). In the summer, atmospheric flows come from the Pacific, so the weather is usually cool and cloudy. The average July temperature varies from +10 to +20 ºC. There are frequent heavy rains and excessive moisture.