Tropical savanna climates

Question 1

Where are tropical savanna climates found?

Answer 1

Between 5 and 20° north and south of the Equator, between the ITCZ and the zones of subtropical high pressure

Question 2

What are temperatures like in tropical savanna climates?

Answer 2

Hot temperatures all year round (18-30°C). Daytime temperature doesn’t vary by more than about 2-4°C, but it can drop by 10-15°C at night

Question 3

What is rainfall like in tropical savanna climates?

Answer 3

Medium annual rainfall (500mm to over 1700mm a year). Rainfall is seasonal, most falls in the wet season, and little falls in the dry season

Question 4

What are winds like in tropical savanna climates?

Answer 4

Mostly trade winds

Question 5

How is the sun significant in influencing tropical savanna climates?

Answer 5

Its overhead all year round

Question 6

What are the wet and dry seasons caused by?

Answer 6

A seasonal shift in the position of the ITCZ

Question 7

What happens to the ITCZ in January and what is the effect?

Answer 7

It moves south. The northern hemisphere tropical savannas lie under the high pressure zone, so they get little rain

Question 8

What happens to the ITCZ in July and what is the effect?

Answer 8

It moves north. This brings low pressure and heavy rainfall to the tropical savannas in the northern hemisphere