Question

Albuquerque, New Mexico, receives an average of 20.7 centimeters \((8.07\) inches) of rainfall annually. Albuquerque is considered a desert when the commonly used Köppen climate classification is applied. The Russian city of Verkhoyansk is located near the Arctic Circle in Siberia. The yearly precipitation at Verkhoyansk averages 15.5 centimeters \((6.05\) inches), about 5 centimeters less than Albuquerque, yet it is classified as a humid climate. Explain how this can occur.

Short answer

Verkhoyansk's colder climate means less evaporation, making low precipitation sufficient for a humid classification.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Köppen Climate Classification

The Köppen climate classification uses temperature and precipitation data to categorize regions into different climate types. Deserts are usually classified with a specific threshold for annual rainfall, typically less than 25 centimeters (10 inches). Other factors, such as temperature and the distribution of rainfall, are also considered.

Analyze Albuquerque's Climate

Albuquerque, New Mexico, receives 20.7 cm (8.07 inches) of rainfall annually, which falls well under the 25 cm (10 inches) threshold for desert climates. Moreover, Albuquerque's temperatures are relatively warm, supporting its classification as a desert despite having more rainfall than some other regions.

Analyze Verkhoyansk's Climate

Verkhoyansk receives 15.5 cm (6.05 inches) of annual precipitation, which is indeed less than Albuquerque. However, its classification as a humid climate can result from the Köppen system's consideration of temperature. Verkhoyansk is in a very cold region, where evaporation rates are significantly lower, making the available moisture sufficient to classify it as humid.

Comparing Evaporation Rates and Temperatures

In regions like Verkhoyansk with colder climates, low evaporation due to low temperatures means that even small amounts of precipitation can sustain a humid environment. In contrast, Albuquerque's warmer temperatures lead to higher evaporation rates, reinforcing its desert classification.

Key concepts

Desert Climate

Desert climates are fascinating and distinct environments characterized by low precipitation and high evaporation rates. According to the Köppen Climate Classification, a region is classified as having a desert climate if it receives less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of rainfall per year. This small amount of rainfall is often unevenly distributed throughout the year.
This classification also considers consistent high temperature levels, which contribute to thermal differences between day and night that impact the local weather patterns. In deserts, days can be exceedingly hot, while nights may bring cooler temperatures.

• Low annual rainfall
• High evaporation rates
• Significant temperature swings

Together, these factors contribute to the dry and arid conditions synonymous with deserts. These environmental conditions make vegetation sparse and challenge the survival of plant and animal life.

Humid Climate

A humid climate is marked by high levels of moisture in the environment, due in large part to consistent or adequate precipitation throughout the year. However, what's interesting is how the Köppen Climate Classification can designate areas with minimal rainfall as humid, based on other factors like temperature.
For instance, Verkhoyansk in Russia averages only 15.5 centimeters (6.05 inches) of precipitation annually, which is less than Albuquerque. Yet, because of its exceptionally low temperature and the limited evaporation, it is considered humid.
Characteristics of humid climates include:

• High moisture content in air
• Frequent cloud cover contributing to moisture retention
• Low evaporation rates, especially during cold periods

These elements ensure that even small amounts of rainfall can sustain a wet or humid environment, supporting various plant life and contributing to a different ecosystem dynamic compared to a desert.

Evaporation Rates

Evaporation plays a crucial role in determining a region's climate. It involves the transformation of water from liquid to vapor, largely influenced by temperature, wind, and humidity. In warmer regions like Albuquerque, high temperatures increase the evaporation rate, leading to drier conditions despite similar or higher rainfall compared to cooler areas.
In contrast, cooler areas such as Verkhoyansk experience much lower evaporation rates. The cold weather minimizes water loss, allowing even minimal precipitation to maintain soil moisture and contribute to a humid appearance. This variance explains why some regions with similar rainfall can be classified differently within the Köppen classification system.

• Factor of temperature on evaporation
• Impact of wind and humidity
• Regional differences in evaporation rates

Understanding evaporation is key to comprehending how different climates can exist under similar precipitation conditions.

Temperature Influence on Climate

Temperature is a fundamental determinant in climate classification, influencing not just evaporation rates but also other climate factors such as precipitation distribution and weather patterns. Hot regions like Albuquerque have higher temperatures, leading to increased evaporation which can contribute to their classification as deserts.
Conversely, locations with colder temperatures, like Verkhoyansk, maintain lower evaporation rates due to limited heat. This restriction in water vapor loss allows for a humid climate classification, even when receiving lesser rainfall. Therefore, temperature, alongside precipitation, plays a critical role in shaping the climatic identity of a region according to the Köppen system.

• Influence of temperature on precipitation type
• Relation between temperature and climate classification
• Temperature-induced weather variation

By understanding temperature's effects, one can gain a better grasp of how contrasting climates emerge across the globe.