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ARID CLIMATE

(most measurements in Fahrenheit and inches... sorry rest of the world)

Arid Climate Type Map

Arid climate is known for being dry, in fact, that is what the word arid means. More than a third of the Earth is covered in Arid climate. This climate is mainly found 30 degrees north and south of the Equator due to global wind patterns, but other factors can cause an Arid climate. Despite the lack of water, plants and animals have found ways to survive in this climate.

Where is Arid Climate Usually Located?

Nearly 33% of the Earth's land is covered in Arid climate.  The word arid means dry.  The two colors on the map represent warm and cold Arid climates. If land has an Arid climate it is usually a desert.  Most deserts are found along the 30 degree latitude line (north and south of the equator).  This is due to the pattern of cold water currents, which force dry air over the land.  Other Arid climates exist in the center of continents or in the rain shadow of large mountain ranges.  A rain shadow is land on a side of a mountain that is very dry because the mountain forces warm air higher into the sky, which cools it and it falls as rain, but only on one side of the mountain.

Rain Shadow

What Seasons Does Arid Climate Have?

Most Arid areas do not have regular seasons. For instance, the Sahara Desert is always hot and dry.  However, some places do have changes in temperature depending on the latitude and the surrounding climates.  So, since there are temperature differences, we can say there are 2 seasons, summer and winter.

What are the Temperatures like in Arid Climate?

Temperatures can reach as high as 130 degrees or as low as -30 degrees.  The temperatures will depend on the latitude of the desert.  The farther from the equator the colder they will be.  On the map above you can see areas of cold desert (light red) and hot desert (dark red), and distance from the equator is clearly the cause.

How Much Precipitation Does Arid Climate Receive?

Precipitation (or the lack of) is the main factor that defines Arid climate.  To have an Arid climate, an area must receive less than 10 inches of rain per year.  However, many areas of arid climate receive far less than that.  Some deserts around the world don't receive 10 inches of rain in 10 years!  The Atacama Desert in Chile is known as the driest place on Earth.  It averages 0.04 inches of rain each year. (pictured below).  Cold currents carry dry air, so these lands are blasted with dry air most of the year, which causes the low precipitation. 

What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) Does Arid Climate Have?

There are a few Arid climate areas that are so dry that no plants can survive, such as Atacama Desert.  However, many Arid climate areas do receive some rain (up to 10 inches a year), so you will find vegetation in most Arid areas.  To survive in this climate, plants must either require very little water or be able to store water.  The plants often have long roots and thorns.  Some examples are scrub bushes, grasses, and cactus.

What Kinds of Animals Does Arid Climate Have?

Over thousands of years certain animals have adapted to the lack of water and extreme temperature to survive in an Arid climate.  Camels store water in their bloodstream and can drink 40 gallons of water in 10 minutes, allowing them to go days without water.  Foxes and jackals can also be found in deserts around the world.  Snakes such as the Sidewinder and scorpions can also survive the Arid climate.

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