A warm climate is defined as a type of climate characterized by consistently warm temperatures exceeding 18 °C throughout the year. This climate condition is frequently found in intertropical areas located near the equator.
What is a warm climate?
A warm climate can be classified based on factors such as precipitation levels, proximity to the equator, and distance from the tropics. According to the Köppen climate classification, the various subtypes of warm climate include equatorial tropical, tropical monsoon, tropical savanna, hot semiarid and hot arid. You can expand information about the diversity of the world's climates and its distribution at this link.
In certain cases, tropical climates can experience significant rainfall, and the interaction of high temperatures with abundant rainfall fosters an environment suitable for the development of tropical forests and jungles.
In some cases, regions with warm climates can experience significant dryness, receiving minimal rainfall throughout the year. These environments give rise to expansive deserts, characterized by intense heat and a lack of vegetation. To better understand how climate influences ecosystems, we recommend consulting the impact of climate on ecosystems.
Characteristics of warm climate
Climates classified as warm maintain temperatures above 18 °C throughout the year, including the winter season. Let's look at some of the main characteristics associated with warm climates:
- These regions are located close to the equator, positioned between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The average monthly temperature remains constantly above 18 °C.
- Throughout the year, there can be significant rainfall, leading to the development of highly humid environments characterized by biomes such as rainforests and tropical forests. Conversely, conditions with minimal rainfall can arise, resulting in the formation of expansive deserts.
- Flora and fauna have evolved to thrive in consistently high temperatures throughout the year.In addition, in certain regions characterized by warm climates, tropical storms and hurricanes occur regularly.
- Regions characterized by warm climates include Central America, parts of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela in the Americas, as well as central and northern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia in Oceania.
Types of hot climates
There are 5 types of hot climates, each with its unique characteristics:
- Equatorial tropical: Tropical equatorial climates are found in regions traversed by the equator. Characterized by constant rainfall throughout the year, this climate exhibits minimal seasonal variation, with temperatures typically ranging between 24 and 34 °C throughout the year. Precipitation is abundant and there is no dry season. Accumulated annual precipitation can exceed 3000 mm, with maximums reaching 4000 or 5000 mm. The interaction of high temperatures and frequent rainfall promotes the growth of dense vegetation. The dominant biome in this climate is the tropical forest, which is home to a significant variety of plant and animal species.
- Tropical monsoon: The tropical monsoon climate is characterized by high temperatures throughout the year. However, it receives less rainfall compared to the equatorial tropical climate. Precipitation is particularly abundant during the summer months, often exceeding 100 mm per month. In contrast, the winter months experience a significant reduction in rainfall, which can reach as low as 0 mm. The dominant biome in this region is the rainforest, which arises as a result of the high temperatures and abundant rainfall observed during the summer season.
Tropical savannah:
Warm semi-arid:
Warm arid:
Location of warm weather around the world
The distribution of warm weather on the planet is as follows:
- Tropical equatorial regions are located near the equator. This climate type encompasses parts of Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and parts of Central America in the Americas; areas within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Liberia, Uganda, and Gabon in Africa; as well as sections of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Fiji in Asia. You may also see what is the hottest place on the planet to delve deeper into its global distribution.
- The tropical monsoon prevails in regions adjacent to the equatorial tropical climate. This climatic phenomenon covers areas of Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, as well as parts of India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and northern Australia.
- The tropical savanna is found in several regions, including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Central America. In Africa, it can be found in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Guinea. Additionally, in Asia, the tropical savanna occurs in certain areas of India, Myanmar and Thailand, while in Oceania, it is present in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
- The warm semi-arid climate is present in several regions, including certain areas of Mexico and the United States, the eastern region of Brazil, as well as parts of Argentina and Paraguay in the Americas. This climate can also be observed in selected parts of central and southern Africa, especially in countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya. In addition, significant areas of India in Asia and northern Australia in Oceania exhibit this climatic condition.
- Hot arid climates are present in several regions, including parts of northern Mexico and the southern United States. This climate can also be observed across much of North Africa, specifically in nations such as Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, Chad, Morocco, and Niger. Additionally, it is found in the Arabian Peninsula and other areas of Asia, including countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan, as well as substantial portions of central Australia within Oceania.
