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