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ATMO 2301 Class #9: Friday, September 18, 2009. The B Climate Types The Oceans. The B (dry) climate types. Occupy more area than any other climate group—deficient in precipitation most of year Have potential evaporation and transpiration that exceed precipitation
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ATMO 2301 Class #9: Friday, September 18, 2009 The B Climate Types The Oceans Friday, September 18, 2009
The B (dry) climate types • Occupy more area than any other climate group—deficient in precipitation most of year • Have potential evaporation and transpiration that exceed precipitation • Generally occur in 2 contexts • Near the subtropical highs • On the leeward or downwind side of mountain ranges Friday, September 18, 2009
B Climate Subgroups • There are four: BWh, BWk, BSh, BSk • W is a true desert, extremely dry • S is semi-arid, or steppe • h is a hot climate • K is a cold (in winter) climate • Lubbock has a BSk climate Friday, September 18, 2009
More B Climate facts • Subtropical deserts extend from roughly 20-30° latitude in large continental regions, often surrounded by mountains • Xerophytes are plants capable of surviving long periods of drought—cacti, creosote bushes and short-lived plants • Steppe has characteristic vegetation—short bunch grass, scattered low bushes, sagebrush Friday, September 18, 2009