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Article By: KenMorris
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Weather: Classified But Still Complex
Human beings are curious creatures, for the most part. One of the things men and women have always strived to understand is the climate that sustains life here on Earth. With the help of new technology and the cooperation of scientists around the globe, new information about the climate and the science of weather is being uncovered on a regular basis. With the click of a mouse you can find the weather in Malaga, Spain or Anchorage, Alaska.
Not only are the men and women of meteorology able to classify several distinct climate "zones" on the planet, they are able to make unusually accurate weather predictions for these zones as well. Certain lines of latitude are used to mark the boundaries of these climate zones, with the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle as two of the more prominent markers. (These well-known latitude marks are at 66.5 degrees, both north and south.) The other two major lines of latitude used to describe climate zones are the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south) and the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees north). The designation of these tropical latitude markers is not random, by any means. These lines indicate the points farthest north and south at which the sun will appear directly above any location at midday (noon).
One of the key uses for these lines of demarcation - classifying weather and identifying the location of major storms and weather events. For scientists, the section of the globe that lies between the two tropic lines is called by the common name of "low latitudes." This area of the Earth's atmosphere is distinguished by its high rainfall totals, high humidity and relatively constant, warm temperatures.
The middle latitudes, ranging from the tropical latitude markers to the Arctic and Antarctic circles, have generally temperate climates. It is in this region of the globe that plant and animal life experiences four distinct seasons and somewhat consistent rainfall patterns.
Between the Arctic and Antarctic circles and the two poles are the high latitudes, regions of the globe known for long winters, cold temperatures most of the year, and very short summer seasons. The majority of precipitation in these regions is snow.
One of the key benefits of this classification system is the ability to give weather some perspective. The Earth's climate is so complex that it can become confusing without some way of categorizing the climates of particular regions. Yet, within the above-mentioned zones, there are numerous variations. For example, weather patterns can be distinctly different over land (continental) and on or near the ocean (maritime). But that's not all. Within these smaller classifications, scientists have to take mountains and ocean currents into account.
Beyond the efforts to describe and predict weather patterns, efforts continue to understand the larger category of climate. Climates do change, though human ability to fully understand these long-term alterations is somewhat limited. Overall, the climate zones of the globe give scientists a useful overview of weather changes as well as weather consistency. With this information we have some idea of what weather to expect tomorrow.
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About the Author
Ken Morris publishes largely for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a web publication on the topic of malaga temperatures and temperatures in malaga spain. His writings on weather in malaga spain can be found on his website .
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