The vast spaces occupied by the country do not allow us to single out a single type of climate in Russia. Significant changes in the amount of solar radiation, temperature and humidity are noticeable when moving along and across the territory of the state. In mountainous regions, altitudinal zonality is clearly expressed, which is clearly represented in the south of the country (Caucasus, Altai, Sayan Mountains).
All these features had a serious impact on the process of dividing the territory into climatic regions. There are several regionalization schemes, however, one of them (author - B.P. Alisov) has become the most recognized and key. 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 in Russia are more severe, others less.
Criteria for the allocation of climatic regions
Based on the prevailing types of air masses , climatic zones are distinguished, which, in turn, are divided into separate regions. When determining their boundaries, they look at what atmospheric currents dominate the territory (from the sea or the continent), how often others appear, and what is the amount of sunlight. Therefore, the climatic zones and types of climates in Russia have significant differences in moisture, heat and the sum of the temperatures of the summer period.
One region can characterize one or two zones that are close in key indicators in the designated sector of the continent. The transition points of climatic regions are confirmed by differences in soils and vegetation, which are good indicators of changing environmental conditions.
Types of climates in Russia
The country is within 3 climatic zones: arctic, subarctic and temperate. They have significant differences in the prevailing atmospheric masses and the regime of solar radiation. On the territory of each belt, certain precipitation, temperature, and seasonality regimes have developed.
The amount of each of the indicators can vary significantly in a particular climate region. This leads to the appearance of natural zones. The differences are clearly manifested in the temperate zone, where a smooth transition from the taiga to the desert. The article considers in detail the question of what types of climates in Russia stand out.
Arctic belt
The Arctic type of climate in Russia includes the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Siberia, as well as most of the islands. There is a small amount of solar heat, which is felt only in the summer. Arctic air prevails in this place year-round.
Winter polar night prevents the penetration of solar heat to the surface. However, the air near open water (wormwood) warms up a bit. As a result, the January temperature on the islands is from -20 to -30 ÂșC, while on the mainland it varies from -32 to -36 ÂșC. In the Arctic zone, the westward, the warmer due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. In winter, the weather is frosty and very frosty. Cyclones passing over the belt cause a slight increase in temperature and heavy rainfall in the form of snow.
Subarctic belt
The subarctic type of climate in Russia is located north of the polar circle in the European part of the country, and in Siberia reaches 60Âș N It includes islands located in the south of the Barents Sea. The prevailing air masses vary with the time of year.
The winter period is long, the east it is, the harsher. January air temperature is different in different areas:
- Kola Peninsula - from -7 to -12 ÂșC.
- Basins of Siberia - up to -48 ÂșC.
- The coast of the Pacific Ocean - from -12 to -18 ÂșC.
Summer is cold, but in most areas it is warmer than the Arctic belt. The average July temperature rises from north to south: from +4 to + 6 on Novaya Zemlya, from +12 to +14 ÂșC on the border with the temperate climate region. Frequent, but not very heavy rainfall prevails here. The reason for this is the low water vapor content in cold air. The types of climate in Russia are different. Subarctic stands out against their background in that the likelihood of frost on the soil persists throughout the summer period. In this belt, 3 areas are distinguished. The most severe is Siberian. Atlantic and Pacific are milder.
Temperate zone
The moderate type of climate in Russia is distinguished by the predominant influence of atmospheric masses that came from temperate latitudes. There is a pronounced differentiation in 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 cooled. There is more solar heat in summer and less reflection, therefore, heating is carried out more efficiently. As a result, the temperate zone has frosty winters and warm summers.
What type of climate is typical for Russia? The main part of the country is in the zone of temperate climate, which is divided into 4 types: temperate and sharply continental, monsoon and continental.
Temperate continental climate
It covers the entire European part of the country, as well as a small area of ââNorthwest Siberia. These territories are influenced by air masses from the Atlantic. The consequence is the mild nature of winters with mild frosts. During the cold season, thaws are possible in any month, and the average January temperature is from -4 to -28 ÂșC. The warm summer period has an average July temperature of +12 to +24 ÂșC.
Continental climate
This type of climate is characteristic of almost the entire West Siberian territory and the southeastern part of the European part. The territory receives Arctic and tropical air, as well as modified Atlantic. The average January temperature varies from -6 ÂșC near the Caspian Sea to -28 ÂșC in the center of Western Siberia. From 300 to 600 mm of precipitation falls annually. The average July temperature rises from 15 ÂșC on the southern outskirts of Siberia to 25 ÂșC in the Caspian Sea region.
Sharp continental type of climate
The sharply continental type of climate was formed on the territory of Central Siberia. In winter, the air cools down to -25 ... -44 ÂșC, and in summer it warms up to + 14 ... + 20 ÂșC. Continental atmospheric flows prevail. The weather is mostly very frosty, there is little snow, the days are often clear. Precipitation per year is not more than 500 mm.
Monsoon type of climate
This type of climate in Russia has formed in the Far East. In winter, dry and cold air masses from the continent predominate, so this time of year is the same as in a sharply continental climate (severe frosts). In summer, atmospheric flows come from the Pacific Ocean, so the weather is usually cool and cloudy. The average July temperature varies from +10 to +20 ÂșC. There are frequent heavy rains and excessive moisture.