Characteristics of Tropical Marine Climates and Equatorial Climates
Tropical Marine Climates
Several islands and coastal areas located close to the equator experience a tropical marine
climate. These areas such as most of the Caribbean islands and Guyana are located within 10
to 20 degrees north or south of the equator.
Location
Tropical marine climates can be found within the tropics. Specifically 231/2 0 N and 231/20 S
of the Equator. Places located in this region include the West Indies, Central America, the
Caribbean coast of South America, the East coast of Brazil, the Philippines.
Climate & Temperature
The prevailing temperature throughout the year is high and uniform but varies slightly as the
distance from the equator increases and the position of the overhead sun.
The average temperature during the year is 28 degrees Celsius with an annual range of 3 to 4
degrees Celsius.
In some instances the temperature may be modified by the Trade Winds and land and sea
breeze in countries such as Barbados. The northeast Trade Winds blows across the Atlantic to
the islands bringing moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and influencing the temperature.
These regions are often affected by tropical waves (regions of low pressure) that are
associated with heavier rainfall. These tropical waves sometimes develop into a tropical
depression or a hurricane.
Precipitation
This climatic region is marked by seasonal rainfall. There is a dry season and wet season,
however, there is rainfall throughout the year with the wettest period being from late summer
to early autumn. Annually, the total rainfall ranges approximately from 1200mm to
2000mm.
Much of the rainfall is attributed to the trade winds that blow onshore forming relief or
orographic type rainfall. However, a considerable amount of convectional type rainfall also
results from the moist tropical air masses of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ),
which moves with the seasons.
Natural Vegetation
The type of vegetation which found in any particular area depends on the
conditions existing there, such as the amount of moisture available and
the length of the dry season. As such, there are many types of vegetation
that may develop in this type of climate. Some of these include: Rainforest, Semi-
evergreen forest, Tropical Montane Forest, Beach Vegetation, and Mangroves.
Equatorial Climates
The equatorial climate lies in regions close to the equator. An abundance of plants and
animals thrive in these regions.
Location
The equatorial regions are located within 00 to 100 north and south of the equator. Places in
this region includes, the Amazon Basin in Brazil, South America, the Zaire Basin in West
Central Africa, Indonesia and East Indies, specifically Borneo, New Guinea, Java and the
Guinea Coast. Equatorial regions blend with wet and dry climates.
Climate & Temperature
Throughout the year, the climate is hot and wet generally, averaging 280C. The diurnal range
(the difference between maximum and the minimum temperature for the day) or daily
temperature range is about 2 degrees Celsius. Rainfall and humidity is above normal
particularly during the months of April and October. Rainfall is generally convectional
accompanied by thunderstorms.
Precipitation
The precipitation is heavy, often and well distributed through the year. There is no dry season
with average annual rainfall being at 2000 to 4000 mm with daily averages of 100mm. There
is a high humidity, over 80%.
Natural Vegetation
The natural vegetation in the equatorial regions is mainly equatorial or tropical rain forest.
The frequent rainfall influences the lush vegetation. The vegetation in the forest is dense,
broad-leaved evergreen forest. There are a wide variety of species of trees in a single
location. They do not grow in extensive stands but in mixed varieties. The heterogeneous
variety makes it difficult for lumbering. The trees form layers according to their height called
stratification.
