Distribution of global precip - East

  • global precipitation distribution is tied to the general circulation...
  • tropics are wet
    • abundant moisture and ITCZ
  • subtropics are influenced by subtropical highs
  • mid latitudes
    • wet due to polar front
    • dry on lee-side of mountains
    • wet on upslope side of mountains
  • polar regions tend to be dry
    • little moisture
    • polar high

image from Meteorology Today by C. Donald Ahrens  © 1994 West Publishing Company