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TROPICAL CLIMATE & ITS CLASSIFICATION

The interaction of solar radiation with the atmosphere and the

gravitational forces, together with the distribution of land and sea
masses, produces almost infinite variety of climates.
CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

 Tropical Climate
• Exists
E i t in
i tropical
t i l zone.
• Mean monthly temperature is above 22o C.
• There are no perceptible winters.
 Dry Climate
• Water deficit due to low rainfall.
• Vegetation consists of thorny bushes & patches of grass.
 Polar Climate
• Occurs in polar regions.
• Has long season of severe winters.
• It has practically no vegetation.

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Types of Climates

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

TROPICAL CLIMATE AND ITS CLASSIFICATION

Boundaries of climatic zones cannot be accurately mapped .one zone

merges gradually with the other. Now we will be concentrating only on
tropical climatic zones only.
The classification is suggested by G A Atkinson IN 1953.
1953
It is based on Air temperature & humidity which dominantly influence
the human comfort.
Accordingly the tropical regions are divided into 3 major climatic zones
and 3 sub groups.
1. WARM –HUMID EQUATORIAL CLIMATE- warm humid island or
trade wind climate(sub group)
2. HOT DRY DESERT/SEMI-DESERT CLIMATE- hot dry maritime
desert climate. (sub group)
3. COMPOSITE OR MONSOON CLIMATE- tropical upland
climate.. (sub group)

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TROPICAL CLIMATE AND ITS CLASSIFICATION

1. WARM –HUMID EQUATORIAL CLIMATE-

warm humid island or trade wind
climate(sub group)

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

WARM –HUMID CLIMATE WARM –HUMID ISLAND

CLIMATE
location Belt near equator 150 N-S Islands within the
Mombasa, Singapore, Jakarta equatorial belt and in the
etc.. trade wind zone.
Caribbean's and
Philippines.
Seasonal variation Veryy little, the onlyy p
punctuation Are negligible.
g g
is periods with more or less rain,
occurrence of gusty winds and
electric storms.
Air temperature
Mean max------- 270-320 C 290-320 C
Mean min--------- 210-270 C 180-240 C
Quite narrow about 80 C
Diurnal changes--
-
Humidity HIGH
RH-------------- 55-100% (about 75%) 55-100%
VP------------- 2500-3000N /M2 . 1750-2500N /M2 .

Precipitation High High

Annual rain fall 2000-5000mm 1250-1800mm
wettest Month Max.500mm/month
CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015 Max 200-250mm/ month

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WARM –HUMID CLIMATE WARM –HUMID

ISLAND CLIMATE
Sky Fairly cloudy 60-90% Normally clear
conditions 7000cd/m2 or more when thinly 1700-2500cd/m2
Luminance over cast
850cd/m2 or less when heavily
overcast

Solar Diffused radiation but strong and Strong and mainly

radiation cause painful sky glare. Because of direct.
high cloud and vapor content heat
is not easily dissipated.

wind Low velocity,calm periods are Trade winds blow

frequent but strong wind during predominantly at 6/7
rain squall. m/s.provide relief from
Gusts of 30m/s usually in 1 or 2 heat and
directions reported. humidity.much higher
velocity during
cyclones.

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

WARM –HUMID WARM –HUMID ISLAND

CLIMATE CLIMATE
vegetation Grows quickly, red & Is less luxuriant and of
brown laterite soil lighter green color than
generally poor for ag. of w-h climate.
Sub soil water table is Sub soil water table is
high. fairly low.

Special characters. High humidity Serious seasonal hazards

accelerates mould and due to the tropical
algal growth,rusting and cyclones
rooting. High salt content
Organic building encourages the corrosion
material tend to decay in costal areas.
areas
rapidly.

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CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

DESIGN TIPS FOR THE WARM HUMID CLIMATE

•slab on ground construction is useful for winter heat storage

provided windows catch the winter sun; walls should be made of
lightweight materials;
•Bulk insulation in the roof should be used only if the roof is well-
ventilated
•Elevated timber floors are good in summer but will increase
winter heat loss;
Because the humidity is high, air movement is crucial, to
help
p perspiration
p p to evaporate
p
outdoor living areas( verandahs or under an elevated house )
will be particularly useful. Shelter from the rain is needed in
summer; shade is also desirable

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TROPICAL CLIMATE AND ITS CLASSIFICATION

2. HOT DRY DESERT/SEMI-DESERT CLIMATE- hot

dry maritime desert climate. (sub group)

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

HOT DRY DESERT HOT DRY MARITIME

CLIMATE DESERT CLIMATE

location Latitude 150- 300 N-S of Same latitudes where the

equator. sea adjoins the land mass.
Baghdad,phoenix Kuwait,Karachi

Seasons A hot and some what cooler A hot and some what cooler
periods periods
Air temperature Hot period cool period Hot period cool period
Mean max----------- 430-490 C 270-320 C about300 C 210-260 C
240-300 C 100-180 C 240-300 C 100-180 C
Mean min------------
170-220 C 090-120 C
Diurnal changes----
Humidity
RH-------------------- 10-55% 50-90%
VP------------------- 750-1500N /M2 . 1500-2500N /M2 .
high evaporation can create
uncomfortable conditions.
Precipitation Slight and variable. Very low
Annual rain fall 50-155mm
Flash rain fall may occur in
some areas while some may
CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015
not receive rain fall for years.

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HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE
Sky conditions Normally clear
Luminance 1700-2500cd/m2
During the end of hot period dust
suspended can crate a white haze
with 3500-10000cd/m2 causing
defused light and pain full glare.
glare
Solar radiation Strong and mainly direct.
Diffused radiation only during dust
haze periods.
wind Usually local. Due to temperature
inversion local whirl winds often
created.
Winds are hot, caring dust and
sand,often develop in to dust
storm.
CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015
HOT DRY DESERT
CLIMATE
vegetation Is sparse due to lack of
rain and low
humidity.soil , dusty and
d
dry.would ld generally
ll be
b d
fertile if irrigated.
Water table is very low.
Special characters. During certain months
dust and sand storms
may be frequent.
The high day time
temperatures and rapid
cooling
g at night
g may y
cause materials to crack
and break up.
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HOT DRY MARITIME
DESERT CLIMATE
As in desert climate but
little more cloud in the
form of thin
transparent haze can
cause glare.
Strong with higher
diffuse component than
desert climate due to
thin cloud and
suspended moisture.
Mostly local. Costal
winds due to unequal
heating and cooling of
land and water surface.
HOT DRY MARITIME
DESERT CLIMATE
Is sparse, not more than
some dry grass. Ground
and rocks are brown and
red.
Dust and sand storms
may occur.
Salt content encourages
the corrosion.
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CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

Design tips for a hot dry climate

•Pale surfaces (especially the roof) to reflect the sun;
•Double
Double roof;
•Reflective foil insulation in the roof and walls is essential;
•No windows on eastern or western side of the house;
•Vegetation and/or verandahs around the house, if water supply
permits, to provide shade;
•Earth-sheltered and underground housing are ideally suited to
this climate;
•This is the perfect climate for solar power.
•Vegetation around the house is desirable, to filter dust from the air,
by impaction

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TROPICAL CLIMATE AND ITS CLASSIFICATION

3. COMPOSITE OR MONSOON CLIMATE-

tropical upland climate.. (sub group)

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

COMPOSITE OR MONSOON TROPICAL UPLAND

CLIMATE CLIMATE

location Occur in large land mass Mountainous regions and

near the tropic of cancer and plateaux more than 900-
tropic of Capricorn 1200m above sea level.
Lahore,New Delhi Mexico city,Nairobi
Seasons 2/3 –hot dry, 1/3-warm Variations are small near
humid localities further
humid.localities equator and further away it
north and south often have is same as lowland.
third season –cool dry.
Air temperature Hot dry WH cool dry
Mean max----------- 320-430 270-320 UPTO270 240-300 C
Mean min------------ 210-270 240-270 040-100 100-130 C at some
locations it may be below40
Diurnal changes---- is great.
110-220 030-060 110-220
Humidity
H idit DRY WET
RH-------------------- 20-55% 55-95% 45-99%
VP------------------- 1300-1600N/M2 2000-2500. 800-1600N /M2 .

Precipitation Monsoon rainfall intense and Variable,

prolonged.
500-1300MM with 200-250 rarely less than 1000mm
Annual rain fall in the wettest month.no or
CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015
little rain during dry season.

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COMPOSITE OR MONSOON TROPICAL UPLAND

CLIMATE CLIMATE
Sky conditions Mostly vary with season.heavily Normally clear or partly
Luminance overcast and dull during monsoon cloudy.(40%)
and clear in dry seasons. During monsoon sky is
Intensity of glare vary. overcast.

Solar radiation Alternates between warm humid Strong and mainly

and desert climate. direct during clear
periods.
Diffuse as cloud cover
increases.
wind Hot & dusty during dry period. Are
Directional changes in the variable,predominantly
prevailing wind at the beginning of N S easterly.
N-S t l
warm humid season bringing rain Velocity rarely exceeds
clouds and humid air from sea. 15m/s
Monsoon winds are fairly strong
and study.

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

COMPOSITE OR TROPICAL UPLAND

MONSOON CLIMATE CLIMATE
vegetation Is sparse with brown & Is green
red barren
ground.changes rapidly
with rain .landscape
p
become green and fertile.

Special characters. Seasonal changes in RH Heavy dew at night.

cause rapid weaken of Thunder storms with fair
building materials. Dust proportion of electric
and storms may occur. discharge.
Termites are common.

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CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

THANK YOU

CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015

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