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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
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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/[Link] relief from
Gusts of 30m/s usually in 1 or 2 heat and
directions reported. [Link] 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
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not receive rain fall for years.
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HOT DRY DESERT CLIMATE HOT DRY MARITIME
DESERT CLIMATE
Sky conditions Normally clear As in desert climate but
Luminance 1700-2500cd/m2 little more cloud in the
During the end of hot period dust form of thin
suspended can crate a white haze transparent haze can
with 3500-10000cd/m2 causing cause glare.
defused light and pain full glare.
glare
Solar radiation Strong and mainly direct. Strong with higher
Diffused radiation only during dust diffuse component than
haze periods. desert climate due to
thin cloud and
suspended moisture.
wind Usually local. Due to temperature Mostly local. Costal
inversion local whirl winds often winds due to unequal
created. heating and cooling of
Winds are hot, caring dust and land and water surface.
sand,often develop in to dust
storm.
CLIMATOLOGY 3.7-BMSSA-AK-SHK_2015
HOT DRY DESERT HOT DRY MARITIME
CLIMATE DESERT CLIMATE
vegetation Is sparse due to lack of Is sparse, not more than
rain and low some dry grass. Ground
[Link] , dusty and and rocks are brown and
d
[Link] ld generally
ll be
b d
red.
fertile if irrigated.
Water table is very low.
Special characters. During certain months Dust and sand storms
dust and sand storms may occur.
may be frequent. Salt content encourages
The high day time the corrosion.
temperatures and rapid
cooling
g at night
g may y
cause materials to crack
and break up.
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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
[Link] 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 [Link] 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 [Link] 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
[Link] 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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