Question 26 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Geograph y

Question

Consider the following description:
1. Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.
2. Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
3. Precipitation varies between 50 cm - 250 cm.
What is this type of climate?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Marine West coast climate

Strategy: Recognize the combination of low temperature range and precipitation all year. These point to areas with strong oceanic influence—classic for Marine West Coast climate, which is often associated with persistently mild, wet conditions and little temperature variability. The specified rainfall bracket (50–250 cm) fits this climate, ruling out Equatorial (higher precipitation, higher temperature) and Humid Subtropical/China type (larger temperature variance and often drier winters).

Key Info: Marine West Coast climate, also known as the Oceanic or British type, is typically found on the western coasts of continents in the mid-latitudes between 40° and 65°, including regions such as northwest Europe (e.g., UK, Ireland, western Norway), the Pacific Northwest of North America (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia), southern Chile, southeastern Australia, and New Zealand. Key features:

- Temperature: Both annual and daily temperature ranges are low due to strong maritime moderation; summers are cool, winters are mild, with few extremes.
- Precipitation: Occurs throughout the year due to prevailing westerly winds bringing moist air from the oceans, often enhanced by frequent cyclonic activity; yearly totals are moderate to high, commonly in the 50-250 cm range, with some locations exceeding even that due to orographic uplift.
- Humidity and Cloud Cover: The climate is characterized by frequent cloudiness, drizzle, fog, and high humidity.
- Vegetation: Supports lush temperate forests of conifers and broad-leaved trees; such forests are prevalent in coastal British Columbia, western Europe, and New Zealand.
- Comparison to Other Climates:
  - Equatorial climate (tropical rainforest) shows much higher temperatures and rainfall (>200 cm, usually exceeding 300 cm), negligible temperature variation, and near-perpetual humidity.
  - China type and Humid Subtropical climate (Eastern margin of continents) show a higher seasonal range, hot summers, and drier winters due to monsoonal effects, with precipitation often concentrated in the summer.
- Climatic Controls: Dominated by oceanic influence (proximity to seas/oceans), prevailing westerly winds, and frequent passage of cyclonic systems.
- Prominent examples: London (UK), Vancouver (Canada), Wellington (New Zealand), and Valdivia (Chile).

The Marine West Coast climate's unique blend of mild temperatures and persistent precipitation supports distinctive temperate rainforest and dense vegetation in these locations.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Equatorial climate

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: China type climate

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Humid subtropical climate

Consider the following description: Annual and daily range of temperatures is low. Precipitation occurs throughout the year. Precipitation varies between 50 cm - 250 cm. What is this type of climate?

Consider the following description:

Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.

Precipitation occurs throughout the year.

Precipitation varies between 50 cm - 250 cm.
What is this type of climate?