Global Climate - Tropical Moist Climates

General Characteristics - year-round warm temperatures (all months have mean temperatures above 18°C [64°F]) and abundant rainfall (typical annual average exceeds 150 cm [59"])

Extent - 15°-25° north and south of the equator

Major types:

• tropical wet (Af)
  • small seasonal temperature variations (less than 3°C)
  • solar radiation is constant year round
  • the diurnal temperature variation is larger than the seasonal variation!!
  • moist, convective showers most every afternoon
  • example at Iquitos, Peru
• tropical monsoon (Am)
  • similar to Af, with the exception that monthly average precipitation falls below 6 cm for a month or two - not enough to affect the rain forest, however.

Climate Map - West	Climate Map - East

• tropical wet and dry (Aw)
  • located just pole ward of the tropical wet regions
  • have a distinct dry season - monthly rainfall is less than 6 cm for more than two months - due to shift of ITCZ and subtropical highs
  • jungle areas transforms into savanna grasslands
  • obtain same amount of precip as Af, rain rates fluctuate greatly during the year and from year to year
  • example at Timbo, Guinea (11°N)