Equatorial Regions - high temperatures & humidity

• Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITC)
  • convectional (or thermal) lifting
  • heaviest rains (over 80")

Subtropical Regions — Trade Wind zones to Subtropical Highs

• West Coasts - subsidence from high pressure zones
  • World’s great deserts and Mediterranean climates (10" - 40")
  • seasonal rainfall
• Eastern coast and high islands (40 - 80")
  • Laden moisture from Trade Winds
    

Northern Latitudes (zone of the Westerlies)

• Frontal precipitation
  • collision of air masses creates precipitation
• Heavy orographic precipitation along mountains
  • Sierra Nevada, Cascades, Rockies
  • rainshadows on leeward sides
  • Great Basin, Patagonia, Asian deserts
• Seasonal monsoon - rain in summer
  • Gulf of Mexico & mid-west states
    

Polar Regions (zone of Polar Highs)

• Lack of lifting and holding capacity in winter
• Precipitation in summer (only 10")