The continental climate is a subtype of several climatic belts, which is characteristic of the mainland of the Earth, removed from the sea and oceanic coast. The largest territory is the continental climate is occupied by the continent of Eurasia and the domestic regions of North America. The main natural zones of the continental climate are deserts and steppes. Here the area has insufficient humidity. In this zone, the summer is long and very hot, and the winter is cold and harsh. The precipitation falls relatively not many.
Moderate-content belt
A continental subtype is found in a temperate climate. There is a huge difference between the maximum of summer and the minimum of winter. During the day there is also a significant amplitude of temperature fluctuations, especially during the offseason. Due to the fact that there is low humidity, there is a lot of dust, and dusty storms occur due to strong gusts of wind. The main rainfall falls in the summer.
Continental climate in the tropics
In the zone of tropics, temperature changes are not significant, as in a moderate belt. The average summer temperature reaches +40 degrees Celsius, but it happens higher. There is no winter here, but in the cool period the temperature drops to +15 degrees. A very small amount of precipitation falls here. All this leads to the fact that semideserts are formed in the tropics, and then deserts in the conditions of the continental climate.
Continental climate of the polar zone
A continental climate is also presented in the polar zone. Here is a large temperature fluctuations amplitude. Winter is highly harsh and long, frosts are –40 degrees and below. The absolute minimum was recorded –65 degrees Celsius. Summer in the polar latitudes in the continental part of the Earth happens, but it is very shortterm.
The relationship of various different types of climate
The continental climate is formed in the depths of land, and it interacts with several climatic zones. The influence of this climate on parts of the water area, which are near the mainland, was noticed. A certain interaction is manifested by a continental climate with a monsoon. In winter, the continental masses of air dominate, and in the summer sea. All this clearly shows that there are practically no pure climate types on the planet. In general, the continental climate has a significant impact on the formation of the climate of neighboring belts.
