The United States of America. The Climate.

The territory of the US is very vast, so Its more a continent than a country; Its more a continent than a country; Lies within 5 climatic zones; Lies within 5 climatic zones; Enjoys different types of climate within 1 zone. Enjoys different types of climate within 1 zone.

Climate forming factors: The Japan Current (in the Pacific) The Japan Current (in the Pacific) The Labrador Current (in the Atlantic) The Labrador Current (in the Atlantic) The Gulf Stream (originates in the Gulf of Mexico) The Gulf Stream (originates in the Gulf of Mexico) The Cordilleras The Cordilleras

The Arctic Zone Long cold winters; Long cold winters; Short cool summers; Short cool summers; Light precipitation. Light precipitation. Northern part of Alaska. Northern part of Alaska.

Arctic zone Several countries in the world enjoys arctic climate

The Subarctic zone Long and cold winters; Long and cold winters; Short but hot summers; Short but hot summers; The average January t – 25 C; The average January t – 25 C; The recorded t extreme – 64 C. The recorded t extreme – 64 C. Central part of Alaska. Central part of Alaska.

The Temperate zone Abandoned rainfall ( mm) Abandoned rainfall ( mm) Winters – long and cold (average January t – 10 C… – 5 C) Winters – long and cold (average January t – 10 C… – 5 C) Southern part of Alaska, northern states of the USA proper adjacent to the Canadian border Southern part of Alaska, northern states of the USA proper adjacent to the Canadian border

The Subtropical Zone Mild and short winters Mild and short winters Average January t – 0 C…+ 10 C Average January t – 0 C…+ 10 C Rather long summers Rather long summers Average July t – from 16 C to 25 C and even higher in different areas Average July t – from 16 C to 25 C and even higher in different areas

The Subtropical Zone Interior Plains: The dryness increases from east to west; The dryness increases from east to west; The tendency – the farther west = the less rainfall; The tendency – the farther west = the less rainfall; No forests, but prairies. No forests, but prairies.

The Subtropical Zone The climate of prairies – subtropical continental The climate of prairies – subtropical continental Hot summers; Hot summers; Comparatively cold winters. Comparatively cold winters.

The Subtropical Zone Variations in climate in prairies has an effect on peoples occupations: Eastern parts – corn belts; Eastern parts – corn belts; Western parts – wheat lands; Western parts – wheat lands; Farther west – great ranches (cattle and sheep). Farther west – great ranches (cattle and sheep).

The map of highlighting Corn Belt

The Subtropical Zone The Pacific Coast – milder climate than the Atlantic Coast; Warm and dry summers (average July Warm and dry summers (average July t + 16 C); Mild and rainy winters (average January Mild and rainy winters (average January t + 8 C) This type of climate is termed as Mediterranean

The Subtropical Zone Combination of wet winters and dry summers => growing crops. California – the most profitable agricultural industry within the US.

The Tropical Zone Warm winters; Warm winters; Hot summers. Hot summers. Southern Taxes, southern part of Florida, Hawaii (the Tropic of Cancer) Southern Taxes, southern part of Florida, Hawaii (the Tropic of Cancer)

Drought Occur in large interior parts of the country, which are arid; Occur in large interior parts of the country, which are arid; During drought bushfires often occur in the dry underbrush. During drought bushfires often occur in the dry underbrush. Midwest, Southwest, Southern California Midwest, Southwest, Southern California

Drought on the river

Flooding A certain amount – normal in the flood plain of the Mississippi in the spring; A certain amount – normal in the flood plain of the Mississippi in the spring; Spring flood followed by summer rains Spring flood followed by summer rains => Mississippi Valley covered by flood. Summer of 1993 – the great flood (over 50 people died, 150 billion $ in damages) Summer of 1993 – the great flood (over 50 people died, 150 billion $ in damages)

Flooding in the spring is quite normal for the Mississippi Valley

Tornado 1925 – state of Missouri – 700 lives and great damage 1925 – state of Missouri – 700 lives and great damage Often in Midwest – Tornado Alley (Taxes, Nebraska) Often in Midwest – Tornado Alley (Taxes, Nebraska)

Hurricane Appear in the western parts of the Atlantic Ocean; Appear in the western parts of the Atlantic Ocean; Florida – the most susceptible. Florida – the most susceptible. May occur in any part of the country May occur in any part of the country

The hurricane on the map (Katrina)