The climate of South America. Prevailing winds by season What winds predominate in South America

South America is located on both sides of the island, but most of it lies in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the continent lies between the tropics. The subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere include its narrowed and dissected margin.

The influence of air masses coming from extends far into the interior of the continent along plains wide open towards the ocean to the very foot.

The western coast is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, which have a significant negative temperature anomaly off the coast of the mainland, which is caused by the cold Peruvian Current. Pacific air masses, due to the existence of the Andes barrier, influence the climate of only a narrow strip of land adjacent to the ocean.

The climatic conditions of South America are determined mainly by the influence of equatorial air masses that form over the continent. These air masses are characterized by high moisture content and small temperature amplitudes throughout the year. They move from one hemisphere to another by the equatorial monsoons of the northern and southern hemispheres and cause precipitation.

Tropical air of marine origin has a great influence on the climate. It forms in tropical anticyclones over the oceans and enters the mainland with trade wind air currents. In its properties it is close to equatorial air masses.

Continental tropical air is formed over the continent in tropical latitudes through the transformation of sea air. It is characterized by comparative dryness and significantly larger annual temperature amplitudes than equatorial and maritime tropical air.

The influence of air masses of temperate latitudes affects only the extreme south of the continent.

In January, the northern part of South America comes under the influence of tropical air masses of the dynamic maximum of the northern hemisphere. These air masses rush in the form of the northeastern trade wind towards the area of ​​​​low pressure on the mainland, located at this time south of the equator. In this regard, there is drought on the northern edge of South America. Only in the northeast of the continent, on the slopes and in the coastal lowlands, the trade wind, coming directly from, leaves some precipitation.

Over the equatorial part of the Amazonian lowland, tropical air is moistened and, rising upward, gives abundant convective precipitation. Penetrating into an area of ​​low pressure south of the equator, the northeast trade wind changes its direction to the north and northwest and turns into the equatorial monsoon of the southern hemisphere. Over a vast area south of the equator, it leaves heavy rainfall, most of the Brazilian Highlands and the Gran Chaco plain.

Monsoon winds blow from the South Atlantic towards the heated continent, bringing rain to the southeastern edge of the Brazilian Highlands and lowlands.

Most of the western coast, starting from subtropical latitudes and almost to the equator, is influenced by the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone and does not receive precipitation. Only the stretch of coast north of the bay is under the influence of equatorial air masses and is irrigated by heavy rains.

Moist oceanic air is brought to the extreme south of the continent from the west. At the same time, the Pacific coast and especially the western slopes of the Andes receive heavy precipitation, and Patagonia, located under the cover of the Andes, turns out to be the center of the formation of relatively dry continental air masses of temperate latitudes.

In July, the entire northern part of the continent comes under the influence of humid equatorial air brought by the southwestern equatorial monsoon, and no less humid tropical sea air coming from the Atlantic Ocean.

The sky is high (and, as a result, dry) due to the northward movement of the tropical maximum of the southern hemisphere. Only the southeastern edge of the highlands is exposed to the southeast trade winds, coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean, and receives a significant amount of precipitation, although much less than in summer.

In the subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere, low pressure prevails and cyclonic rains occur. Only Patagonia still remains the center of formation of relatively dry and cold air, which at times breaks through to the north and penetrates all the way to the Amazon lowland, causing significant depressions and even snowfall there.

Over the central part of the Pacific coast, in July as in January, from 30° south. w. to the equator, southern and southwestern winds prevail, blowing parallel to the coast over the waters of the cold Peruvian Current. This leads to a very dry coastline in these latitudes. Only in its northern section, where the southeast trade wind turns into the southwest monsoon, does a significant amount of precipitation fall.

Similarly, South America is located for the most part within the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical regions. Only in the extreme south does it enter the temperate zone. But the relative position and width of these belts, as well as the relationship of the climatic regions within them, are different than in Africa. This is determined primarily by the orographic features of South America, which are sharply different from the orographic features of the African continent.

In the equatorial part, South America reaches a large width; the relief does not prevent development there. The equatorial climate belt includes almost the entire Amazonian lowland, except for the eastern part and the extreme south, and adjacent parts of the Guiana Highlands and the Orinoco Lowlands. The equatorial belt also includes a section of the Pacific coast north of the equator.

The entire belt is characterized by heavy rainfall throughout the year. Their annual amounts range from 1500 to 2500 mm, and only on the slopes of the Andes, on the Pacific coast, does the amount of precipitation increase to 5000-7000 mm per year. Precipitation in this area throughout the year is brought by the south and southwest, and large amounts of it are explained by causes. In the Amazonian Lowland, the bulk of precipitation falls due to convective processes in the equatorial regions. Temperatures in the region are high and vary little with the seasons. The average temperatures of all months range from 25-27°.

The entire northern part of South America, including the coast, a significant part of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowland, lies in the subequatorial climate zone. The southern hemisphere belt includes the northern Brazilian Highlands and the southern part of the Amazon Lowland. In the east, the subequatorial belts of the northern and southern hemispheres are connected to each other. This belt also includes part of the Pacific coast from the equator to 4-5° south. w.

A distinctive feature of the subequatorial climate - seasonality in the distribution of precipitation - is expressed quite clearly throughout this territory. In the southern hemisphere, in the Brazilian Highlands, in the south of the Amazonian lowland and in the lower reaches, the rainy period associated with the equatorial monsoon lasts from approximately December to May, and it lengthens from south to north, gradually turning into a year-round wet period. In the north, the rainy season lasts from May to December. In winter, no precipitation occurs during the trade winds. Only in those areas where the trade winds, coming from the ocean, meet mountains on their way, do it rain in winter. This occurs in the northern section of the coastal Brazilian Highlands and in northeastern Guiana. Annual precipitation amounts within the entire subequatorial belt are 1500-2000 mm. Only the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands receives less than 1000 mm of precipitation, as moist air currents are intercepted by the raised edges of the highlands and enter the area transformed. The highest temperatures occur, as in Africa, during the transition period between the end of the dry and the beginning of the wet season, when average monthly temperatures rise to 29-30°. At the same time, in no month do average temperatures drop below 20°.

South America is included within the tropical climate zone only in the southern hemisphere. The east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands are in an area (windward coasts) where precipitation is brought throughout the year by tropical air currents from the Atlantic.

Rising along the mountain slopes, this air leaves a large amount of precipitation on the windward side. In terms of precipitation patterns, this climate is close to that of the Amazonian lowland, but is characterized by greater temperature differences between the hottest and coolest months.

Inland, in the tropical zone (Gran Chaco Plain), the climate is arid, with a summer maximum of precipitation and a pronounced dry winter period.

In terms of precipitation regime, this climate is close to subequatorial, but differs from it in sharp temperature fluctuations, especially in winter, and lower annual precipitation amounts.

Pacific coast between 5 and 30° S. w. lies in the climate region of coastal deserts and. This climate is most clearly expressed in the Atacame. The region is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone and temperature inversions created by a constant influx of relatively cold air from high latitudes. When the air reaches 80% of precipitation, very little precipitation falls - in some areas only a few millimeters per year. Some compensation for the almost complete lack of rain is the heavy dew that falls on the coast in winter. Temperatures of even the hottest months are moderate (they rarely exceed 20°), and seasonal amplitudes are small.

South of 30°S w. South America falls within the subtropical climate zone. It highlights a number of areas.

The southeast of the mainland (the southern edge of the Brazilian Highlands, the territory between the rivers and Uruguay, the eastern part of Pampa) lies in an area of ​​uniformly humid subtropical climate. In summer, moisture is brought to the region by northeastern monsoon winds. In winter, precipitation occurs due to cyclonic activity along the polar front. Summers in the region are very hot, winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures around +10°, but there are temperature drops significantly below 0° due to the invasion of relatively cold air masses from the south.

The inland regions of the subtropical zone (western Pampa) are characterized by an arid subtropical climate. Little moisture from the Atlantic Ocean gets there, and precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year) that falls in summer is mainly of convective origin. The region experiences sharp temperature fluctuations and frequent drops in winter below 0°, with average monthly temperatures less than +10°.

On the Pacific coast (from 30 to 37° S) the climate is subtropical with dry summers. Under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone, summer there is almost rainless and cool (especially on the coast itself). Winter is mild and rainy. Seasonal temperature amplitudes are insignificant.

South America is included within the belt (south of 40° S) with its narrowest part. There are two climatic regions.

The southeast of South America (Patagonia) lies in an area of ​​climate transition from oceanic to continental, but very dry. In this area is the center of formation of continental air of temperate latitudes. Precipitation in these latitudes is brought by westerly winds, the path of which is blocked by the Andes, and therefore their amount does not exceed 250-300 mm. In winter there are severe colds due to the penetration of cold air from the south. Frosts reach 30, 35°, but average monthly temperatures are positive.

In the extreme southwest of the continent and on the coastal areas the climate is moderately warm and oceanic. This entire area is under the influence of intense cyclonic activity and the influx of oceanic air from temperate latitudes. On the western slopes of the Andes, precipitation is especially high in winter. In summer there is less rain, but cloudy weather prevails. Annual precipitation amounts everywhere exceed 2000 mm. The differences in temperatures between the summer and winter months are small.

The interior plateaus of the Andes, located on both sides of the equator, are characterized by a mountainous equatorial climate, with a very uniform annual temperature range moderated by altitude. At the same time, the daily amplitudes are quite significant, as in general in mountain climates. Precipitation is plentiful, but its amount is significantly less than in the same latitudes.

The central Andean plateaus are characterized by a high-mountain tropical climate (dry and sharply continental). The amount of precipitation there is negligible, and the temperature differences between seasons and especially during the day are very sharp.

Education local winds associated with the nature of the underlying surface (orography, type of surface - water or land) and temperature. Local winds of thermal origin include breezes. They are better expressed in cloudless anticyclonic weather and appear especially often on the western coasts of the tropics, where heated continents are washed by the waters of cold currents. We grouped other local winds depending on their properties and origin (temperature or type of landscape over which they form) into three groups: cold, mountain-valley and desert. Separately, the local names of the winds of Baikal were given.

Local winds	Description of the wind
Cold local winds:
Blizzard	cold piercing wind of storm force in Canada and Alaska (analogous to a blizzard in Siberia).
Bora (Greek “boreas” - north wind)	a strong, gusty wind blowing mainly in the winter months from mountain ranges on the sea coast. Occurs when a cold wind (high pressure) passes over a ridge and displaces warm, less dense air (low pressure) on the other side. In winter it causes severe cooling. Occurs in the northwest coast of the Adriatic Sea. Black Sea (near Novorossiysk), on Lake Baikal. Wind speed during boron can reach 60 m/s, its duration is several days, sometimes up to a week.
	dry, cold, north or northeast wind in mountainous areas of France and Switzerland
Borasco, burraska (Spanish “borasco” - small bora)	strong squall with thunderstorm over the Mediterranean Sea.
	small intense vortex in Antarctica.
	cold north wind in Spain.
	a cold wind from Siberia, bringing sharp cold snaps, frosts and snowstorms in Kazakhstan and the deserts of Central Asia.
	a sea breeze that softens the heat on the northern coast of Africa.
	cold northeast wind blowing over the lower part of the Danube lowland.
Levantine	eastern strong, humid wind, accompanied by cloudy weather and rain in the cold half of the year over the Black and Mediterranean seas.
	cold north wind over the coast of China.
Mistral	the invasion of cold, strong and dry wind from the polar regions of Europe along the Rhone River valley on the coast of the Gulf of Lyon in France from Montpellier to Toulon in the winter-spring period (February, March).
Meltemi	northern summer wind in the Aegean Sea.
	cold north wind in Japan blowing from the polar regions of Asia.
	bora-type wind only in the Baku region (Azerbaijan).
Norther, norther (eng. “norther” - north)	strong cold and dry winter (November - April) northerly wind blowing from Canada to the USA, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, all the way to northern South America. Accompanied by rapid cooling, often with showers, snowfalls, and ice.
	cold southerly storm wind in Argentina. Accompanied by rain and thunderstorms. Then the cooling rate reaches 30 °C per day, atmospheric pressure rises sharply, and cloudiness dissipates.
	strong winter wind in Siberia, lifting snow from the surface, resulting in reduced visibility to 2-5 m.
Mountain-valley winds: föhns (Bornan, Breva, Talvind, Chelm, Chinook, Garmsil) - warm, dry, gusty winds that cross the ridges and blow from the mountains along the slope into the valley, lasting less than a day. In different mountain regions, foehn winds have their own local names.
	breeze in the Swiss Alps blowing from the river valley. Drance to the middle part of Lake Geneva.
	afternoon valley wind combined with a breeze on Lake Como (Northern Italy).
Garmsil	strong dry and very hot (up to 43 °C and above) wind on the northern slopes of the Kopetdag and the lower parts of the Western Tien Shan.
	pleasant valley wind in Germany.
Chinook (or Chinook)	dry and warm southwesterly winds on the eastern slopes of the North American Rockies, which can cause very large temperature fluctuations, especially in winter. There is a known case when in January, in less than a day, the air temperature increased by 50°: from -31° to + 19°. Therefore, the Chinook is called the “snow eater” or “snow eater”.
Desert winds: Samum, Sirocco, Khamsin, Khabub - dry, very hot dusty or sandy winds.
	dry hot western or southwestern wind in the Northern deserts. Africa and Arabia, swoops in like a whirlwind, covers the Sun and sky, rages for 15-20 minutes.
	dry, hot, strong wind of southern directions, blowing to the Mediterranean countries (France, Italy, Balkans) from the deserts of North Africa and Arabia; lasts several hours, sometimes days.
	sweltering hot and dusty wind blowing over Gibraltar and south-east Spain,
	This is a wind with high temperature and low air humidity in steppes, semi-deserts and deserts; it forms along the edges of anticyclones and continues for several days, increasing evaporation, drying out the soil and plants. Prevails in the steppe regions of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the Caspian region.
	dust or sandstorm in northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Khamsin (or "fifty-day journal")	hot gale in Egypt, blowing from Arabia for up to 50 days in a row.
Harmattan	local name for the northeast trade wind blowing from the Sahara to the Gulf of Guinea; brings dust, high temperatures and low humidity.
	analogue of khamsin in Central Africa.
Eblis ("dust devil")	a sudden rise of heated air on a windless day in the form of a whirlwind, carrying sand and other objects (plants, small animals) to a very high altitude.
Other local winds:
	dusty southern or southwestern wind blowing from Afghanistan along the valleys of the Amu Darya, Syr Darya, and Vakhsh. It suppresses vegetation, covers fields with sand and dust, and removes the fertile layer of soil. In early spring it is accompanied by downpours and cold snaps leading to frosts, destroying cotton seedlings. In winter, it is sometimes accompanied by wet snow and leads to frostbite and death of livestock caught on the plains.
	strong wind from the Caspian Sea, bringing surge floods to the lower reaches of the Volga.
	southeast trade wind in the Pacific Ocean (for example, near the Tonga Islands).
Cordonazo	strong southerly winds along the west coast of Mexico.
	the sea breeze blowing from the Pacific Ocean to the coast of Chile is especially strong in the afternoon in Valparaiso, which is why port operations are even suspended. Its antipode - the coastal breeze - is called terrap.
Zonda (sondo)	strong northern or western dry and hot foehn-type wind on the eastern slopes of the Andes (Argentina). It has a depressing effect on people.
	prevails in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, warm, brings rain and storms (in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea it is lighter)
	fair wind on rivers and lakes.
Tornado (Spanish: Tornado)	a very strong atmospheric vortex over land in North America, characterized by high frequency, formed as a result of the collision of cold masses from the Arctic and warm masses from the Caribbean.
	One of the most dangerous winds in Chukotka. The world's strongest sustained wind, its usual speed is 40 m/s, gusts up to 80 m/s.
Winds of Baikal:
Verkhovik, or hangar	north wind, overpowering other winds.
Barguzin	northeast storm wind blows in the central part of the lake from the Barguzin Valley across and along Lake Baikal
	local southwesterly gale bringing cloudy weather.
Harahaiha	autumn-winter northwest wind.
	southeast storm wind blowing from the river valley. Goloustnoy.
	cold strong chilling winter wind blows along the river valley. Sarma.

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A source of information: Romashova T.V. Geography in figures and facts: Educational manual/ - Tomsk: 2008.

The climate of South America is similar to that of other continents of tropical latitudes (Australia and Africa), although there are significantly fewer areas with a dry climate. In terms of annual precipitation, no continent can compete with South America. All these features are determined by many climate-forming factors.

Figure 1. Climate zones of South America. Author24 - online exchange of student works

A significant part of South America is located within the hot zone, where the sun is almost always at its zenith. The air temperatures here are extremely high. During the year they vary from +22 to +28 C. To the south of the tropics, in the thermal temperate zone, it is a little colder: in the south in winter - up to +12 ° C, and on the island of Tierra del Fuego, popular among tourists, the temperature drops to 0 ° WITH. There are also frosts in the mountains in winter.

Like other continents of tropical latitudes, constant winds dominate in South America.

Definition 1

Trade winds are steady, constant winds that arise as a result of sudden changes in atmospheric pressure in the earth's hemispheres, separated by the equator.

It is worth noting that, unlike the winds of Africa and Australia, the trade winds of South America bring the necessary precipitation to the mainland, as they are formed over the Atlantic Ocean, where the Guiana and Brazilian warm currents saturate the air with moisture. In addition, the flat terrain of the eastern part of this continent helps the trade winds quickly penetrate far into all territories, right up to the Andes. Therefore, on the entire surface of the flat areas, the action of stable winds is transformed into precipitation, which falls up to 3000 mm per year.

Climatic zones and climate types of South America

Mostly the entire territory of South America is located in the equatorial, tropical, subtropical and subequatorial climate zones. Only the south of the continent is located in the temperate zone. Unlike Australia, all of these climate zones systematically replace each other and only move south of the equator.

During the formation of climatic processes on the continent, the following types of climate arose:

• equatorial – humid and warm throughout the year;
• subequatorial - warm with fairly humid summers and dry winters;
• tropical - continental in the west and center, maritime - in the east;
• subtropical - with dry summers and wet winters;
• moderate - marine is observed in the west, continental - in the east.

South America is famous for its Andean highland climate, which is extremely varied. The emergence of climatic zones of mountain plains directly depends on their geographic latitude and the height of a certain area above sea level.

The climate of South America is primarily influenced by:

• geographical location of a significant part of the continent in low latitudes (12 degrees and 56 degrees S);
• the specific configuration of the continent is expansion in equatorial-tropical latitudes and slight contraction in the temperate zone;
• almost unexpressed dismemberment of the coastline.

Note 1

The following types of air masses take an active part in the circulation of the atmosphere on the territory of this continent: tropical, equatorial and temperate.

The schematic map of the climatic zoning of South America is quite multifaceted, since only the areas of the equatorial belt include Amazonian, highland and Pacific characteristics, and in the tropical zone one can observe the actions of the Atlantic, continental, Pacific and Atlantic lee regions.

Features of the monsoon circulation

The extent of South America, which has a small land area, does not allow the continent to receive the necessary development of important continental anticyclones in winter, as a result of which there is practically no monsoon circulation in the southeast of the continent in temperate and subtropical latitudes.

With prolonged heating of a large area of ​​South America, the constant pressure over the widest part of the continent at ground level is often significantly lower than over the areas washed by the ocean.

A huge distribution is the equatorial type of circulation with dense convection of air masses (as a result of convergence - the systematic convergence of trade winds) and the subequatorial aspect with seasonal changes in tropical air masses (trade wind-monsoon type). In the tropical zone in the east, trade winds of the southern hemisphere can be regularly observed, and in temperate latitudes, intense westerly air transport almost always prevails.

Ocean current system

The climate of South America is greatly influenced by ocean currents. The warm Brazilian and Guiana currents gradually increase the necessary moisture content of the trade wind masses, which as a result irrigate certain coasts. The unstable warm current of El Niño off the western coast of the famous Colombia significantly increases the aridity of the climate of Patagonia and contributes to the formation of the desert belt in the west of the continent.

The seasonal warm El Niño current flows along the Pacific Northwest, with water temperatures of approximately 27°. It is worth noting that this current develops periodically in the summer when other cyclones pass near the equator. Its impact is reflected in the moistening and warming of air masses, which ultimately release moisture to all the western slopes of the Andes.

Note 2

The high Andean barrier completely limits the expansion of Pacific air masses through a narrow edge of the western territories and adjacent mountain slopes.

The interconnection of South America with neighboring oceans manifests itself mainly in the form of a large-scale influx of oceanic masses from the western hinterland of the Atlantic anticyclones, as a result of which eastern movement predominates.

Specifics of the climate of South America

South America is located on both sides of the equator, but its main part is located in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the continent adjoins the equator and the southern tropic; its dissected and narrowed tip lies in temperate and subtropical latitudes.

Geographical position between 12° N. w. and 56° S. w. suggests fairly high amounts of dangerous solar radiation over almost the entire surface of South America. The main part of it reaches 120-160 kcal/cm2 per year, and only in the far south does this figure drop to 80 kcal/cm2. The radiation constant balance of the entire earth's surface has a negative value in the winter season on an extremely small part of the continent. The key factor in climate formation in South America is its orography.

Air currents coming from the Atlantic Ocean quickly penetrate westward all the way to the mountain plains of the Andes. In the west and north, the Andean barrier influences the movement of air currents from the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Currents in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans also play a significant role in shaping the climate of South America.

Inland, close to the tropical zone, the climate is generally arid, with a pronounced dry period in winter and humid air in summer. In terms of annual precipitation patterns, the climate of South America is close to subequatorial, but differs from it in sudden temperature fluctuations and lower precipitation amounts, as well as the lack of necessary moisture.

please tell me what are the prevailing winds by season in africa and south america... and i got the best answer

Answer from Alexander Voennov[guru]
January - from northeast to southwest. In summer - from southwest to northeast. Both in Africa and South America. This is the general trend.

Answer from Condorita[guru]
The point here is in the principles of general atmospheric circulation. And the fact that the continents are in different climate zones. There is also a general rule: the wind blows into an area of ​​low pressure

Africa: In January, over the Northern Hemisphere there is an area of ​​​​high atmospheric pressure over the continent, so the prevailing winds are northeastern and northern; over the Southern Hemisphere the pressure is low, therefore the winds are southwestern and northeastern (or eastern). In July, over the continent over the northern hemisphere the pressure is low and the winds are southeastern and northeastern, and over the southern hemisphere they are southeastern. In the extreme south there are westerly winds.
For the temperate zone: Southern South America. Western air transport is typical here (as in EPR). And all year round! Northern part of the continent: northeast wind direction in January, southeast and east in July. South of the equator there is a northeasterly wind in January, and a complex system of more often southerly winds in July. The temperate zone and part of the subtropical - the wind is constantly in the westerly direction.

Answer from Anastasia Artemyeva[newbie]
Arctic belt - northeast winds throughout the year
Subarctic zone - westerly winds in summer, northeasterly winds in winter
Temperate zone - westerly winds throughout the year
Subtropical zone - westerly winds in winter, easterly trade winds in summer
Tropical zone - easterly trade winds throughout the year
Subequatorial belt - in winter - northeasterly winds, in summer - southwest trade winds

Answer from 3 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: please tell me what the prevailing winds are by season in Africa and South America...

South America lies predominantly in the southern hemisphere. This circumstance must be taken into account when considering the circulation of the atmosphere and the onset of a particular season. The geographic location of most of South America at low latitudes and the configuration features of the continent (expansion in equatorial-tropical latitudes and contraction in the temperate zone) determine that it receives a significant amount of solar radiation. The radiation balance reaches 60-85 kcal/cm2 on almost the entire continent. Even in Patagonia it is about 40 kcal/cm2, i.e. the south of the continent is in the same radiation conditions as the south of the European part of Russia. Despite this, the nature of their climates is very different and depends on a number of other factors (land area, etc.), primarily on the general patterns of air mass circulation over South America. Due to the large heating of the vast area of ​​​​South America, the pressure over the widest part of the continent at the level of the earth's surface is usually much lower than over the surrounding oceans. The relatively cold surface of the oceans contributes to the stabilization of subtropical anticyclones, which are always very clearly expressed (South Pacific and South Atlantic) Stable areas There are no subpolar cyclones near South America, but to the south of the mainland there is a wide band of low pressure. The equatorial type of circulation with powerful convection of air masses (as a result of convergence - convergence of trade winds) and the subequatorial type with seasonal changes in equatorial and tropical air masses (trade winds) are widespread. -monsoon type) The northern part of the continent is under the strong influence of the northeastern trade winds from the Azores anticyclone. In the tropical zone in the east, easterly and northeasterly winds from the western periphery of the South Atlantic Anticyclone dominate, in the west - southeast trade winds from the eastern part of the South Pacific High Relatively the small size of land in subtropical and temperate latitudes determines the absence of typical continental and monsoon climates; in temperate latitudes, constant and intense western air transport prevails. Thus, the interaction of the continent with the adjacent oceans is manifested mainly in the influx of oceanic air masses from the western periphery of the Atlantic anticyclones, i.e., it predominates eastern transfer. Associated with the general circulation of the atmosphere, the system of oceanic currents emphasizes the impact of the oceans on the climate of the coastal regions of the continent: the warm Brazilian Current increases the moisture content of the trade winds that irrigate the east of the Brazilian Highlands, the cold Falkland Current increases the aridity of the climate of Patagonia, and the Peruvian Current contributes to the formation of a desert belt in the west of the continent . The relief of South America introduces significant features into the nature of the redistribution of air masses.

The high barrier of the Andes limits the spread of Pacific air masses to a narrow edge of the western coast and adjacent mountain slopes. On the contrary, almost the entire continent with vast lowlands open in the east is exposed to the influence of air masses coming from the Atlantic. The absence of inland mountain barriers, similar to those that occur in Asia, and the significantly smaller size of the continent do not contribute to the deep transformation of maritime air masses into continental ones, the latter are formed only in the summer of the southern hemisphere in the Gran Chaco region and are weakly visible in winter on the Patagonian plateau in the Andes. Naturally, the patterns of altitudinal climatic zonation are very clearly manifested. Seasonal differences in climate are most pronounced in the subequatorial and subtropical latitudes of South America. In July, subtropical anticyclones move northward. From the southern and southeastern periphery of the Azores High, northeastern trade winds reach the shores of South America. Passing over heated waters, they become saturated with moisture. At the same time, moist equatorial air from the Amazon (equatorial monsoon) spreads to the north. These reasons, as well as cyclonic rains on the tropical front, determine the summer rainy period in the north of the continent. In Western Amazonia, where equatorial air predominates, intense intramass convection causes daily afternoon showers. The vertical thickness of the equatorial air column reaches 8-10 km, so even the high inter-Andean highlands of the northern Andes are influenced by the equatorial circulation. The dry southeast trade wind from the Brazilian Highlands penetrates into the Eastern Amazon, and therefore there is a decrease in precipitation in the July season. In the southern hemisphere, the southeast trade wind from the northern periphery of the South Atlantic Anticyclone irrigates the northeastern ledge of the Brazilian Highlands. Winds from the western edge of this high carry moist, warm tropical air. It covers not only the coast of eastern Brazil, but, bypassing the central, cooled part of the highlands with relatively high winter pressure, penetrates into the mainland. The winter continental anticyclone in Patagonia is weakly expressed due to the limited size of the land. However, in more northern areas the pressure is much lower, and the air of temperate latitudes is directed into these pressure depressions. It moves along the east coast, forming polar fronts with parallel oncoming tropical air. Frontal rains irrigate the eastern coast of Brazil. Cold air penetrates to the north along the lowlands of Parana-Paraguay, sometimes reaching the Amazon, and along the gentle southern slopes of the Brazilian Highlands, where snow can fall all the way to the tropics.

The constant westerly transport of Pacific sea air causes enormous amounts of precipitation in southern Chile, falling on the western slopes of the Andes perpendicular to the winds. But leeward Patagonia is almost devoid of precipitation. In winter, due to the northward shift of the South Pacific anticyclone, central Chile also falls into the sphere of moderate circulation; western winds irrigate the area up to 30° south. w. Along with orographic rains, there are also frontal rains (the interaction of moderate and tropical air masses). West coast, slopes and intermountain plateaus of the Andes from 30° south. w. to the equator in winter are under the influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific anticyclone. Southern and southeastern winds bring air from higher and colder latitudes to lower and warmer ones; the coastline and the Andes are parallel to the prevailing winds. These factors are unfavorable for moisture condensation. Under the influence of the South Pacific Anticyclone, the cold Peruvian Current is formed, washing the western coast in these latitudes. The upper warmed layer of water is driven by winds and deflected by the rotation of the Earth; Cold waters rise off the coast. They cause a strong drop in air temperatures and increase unfavorable conditions for condensation: low inversion position and stable stratification, difficult rise of colder and heavier masses. All west, between 30° S. w, and the equator, turns out to be sharply dry and abnormally cooled. North of the equator, southwesterly winds, approaching the Andes at an angle, abundantly irrigate western Colombia. Seasonal variations in the thermal regime occur in South America over a limited area, mainly in subtropical and temperate latitudes and in the mountainous regions of the tropics. The entire north of the mainland, the Amazon and the western Brazilian Highlands are very hot throughout the year. In July they are contoured by an isotherm of 25°. Winter cooling affects the mountainous east of the Brazilian Highlands (average July temperatures 12°-15°) and the plains of Pampa - the July isotherm of 10°C passes through Buenos Aires. On the high plateaus of Patagonia, the average July temperature is -5°C (minimum up to -35°C). Intrusions from the south of cold air of temperate latitudes cause irregular frosts throughout the southern (south of the tropics) part of the Brazilian Highlands, in the Chaco and northern Pampa; in southern Pampa frosts may last for 2-3 months. Naturally, the lowest temperatures occur in the highlands of the Andes. On the western coast of the continent, cold air and ocean currents cause a sharp deviation of isotherms to the north: the July isotherm of 20°C reaches 5°S. w. At ocean level, average monthly negative temperatures are not observed in South America; even in the south of Tierra del Fuego, the average July temperature is 2°C.

In January, the approach of the Azores anticyclone to the equator causes high pressure on the northern edge of South America. Equatorial air masses retreat to the south. Instead, Llanos is dominated not by sea, but by continental trade wind (tropical) air, causing the onset of the dry season. To the east, due to the deviation of the coastline to the southeast and the increase in the path of trade winds over the Atlantic, the latter have time to become saturated with moisture. They bring heavy precipitation to the windward, outer slopes of the Guiana Highlands and penetrate deeply into the low pressure area over the Amazon. In contrast to July, rising air currents produce daily convective showers over the entire Amazon. Further south in January, moist equatorial air from the northeast spreads to the northern, northwestern and western parts of the Brazilian Highlands, into the depression of the upper Paraná and the Gran Cha region. ko, causing summer rains from December to May, characteristic of subequatorial regions. In some years, the edge of this wet equatorial monsoon touches the northeastern part of the Brazilian Highlands, causing short-term stormy rains; Usually, due to the configuration of the continent, this area lies east of the main paths of the equatorial monsoon. Tropical air masses from the western periphery of the South Atlantic Anticyclone irrigate the southeastern coast of Brazil, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina, penetrating the heated La Plata lowland where they thus have a monsoon character. In autumn, cyclonic rains on polar fronts are pronounced here. The western transfer of Pacific air masses in summer occurs at higher latitudes (south of 37-38° S) than in winter and in a somewhat weakened form, although southern Chile receives a significant amount of moisture in summer. The Patagonian plateaus, lying east of the Andean chains, remain in the “dry shadow of the mountains” throughout the year. The influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific Anticyclone shifted to the south is also felt in subtropical central Chile, where dry and clear weather sets in in the summer. The entire central part of the western coast of South America experiences the same conditions in summer as in winter, and is completely devoid of precipitation at any time of the year. Here, between 22-27° S. sh., lies the Atacama Desert. However, in January, the complete transfer of air masses from the southern hemisphere to the northern does not occur, and the southeast trade winds reach only 5° south. w. North of the Gulf of Guayaquil in western Ecuador, summer rains occur due to the penetration of equatorial air masses from the north. On the contrary, in the extreme northwest of the continent (Caribbean lowlands), drought sets in due to the influx of tropical air.

The thermal conditions of the January season are determined by the significant amount of solar heat that most of the continent receives. The 25°С isotherm outlines the entire territory of the Extra-Andean East up to 35° S. latitude, with the exception of the most elevated regions of the Guiana and Brazilian highlands and the east of Uruguay and Pampa, where temperatures prevail at 20°-25°C. On the Patagonian plateau, the average January temperature drops to 20°-10°C. As before, the west of the continent turns out to be colder than the east, the isotherm of 20°C in the west almost reaches the tropics; Average temperatures in Pune are 6°-12°C. As a result of the interaction of atmospheric circulation and the underlying surface, the following picture is observed in the annual distribution of precipitation. The wettest areas are western Colombia and southern Chile, where annual precipitation reaches 5000-8000 mm. The annual amount of precipitation in average Chile decreases rapidly towards the north (from 2000 to 300 mm). Patagonia and the Precordillera region are very dry (150-250 mm per year) and the Pacific coast is especially dry between 5-28 ° S. w. with the adjacent western slopes and intermountain plateaus of the Andes, where in some places it does not rain. for several years in a row. The distribution of precipitation is largely consistent with the pattern of annual moisture. The wettest areas, named in the first two groups (from 2000 to 8000 mm of precipitation), receive abundant moisture constantly, all months have a humidification coefficient of more than 100, vegetation is possible throughout the year. Areas of the third group (1000-2000 mm) receive precipitation mainly in summer (on average, Chile receives precipitation only in winter), they have a clearly defined arid or dry season, during which the moisture coefficient drops to 50 or even less than 25, vegetation ceases to vegetate . These are areas of variable-humid and arid-humid climates. In the west of the Chaco, Pampas, in the Precordillera, in the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands, in the north of the mainland and in central Chile, the dry period is already longer than the wet one, and in the western semi-desert and desert regions, in most of Patagonia, it lasts all year. The equatorial zone with a constantly humid (precipitation more than 2000 mm due to convective rains) and constantly hot climate (average monthly temperatures 24°-26°C or 26°-28°C) includes Western Amazonia and western Colombia. The same belt includes the Andes of Colombia and northern Ecuador, which have a high-mountain type of equatorial climate, which is distinguished by two maximum precipitation and an even more even temperature range, decreasing with altitude (average monthly temperatures in Bogota at an altitude of 2660 m 14 ° - 15 ° C, precipitation 1000-1200 mm per year); however, daily amplitudes reach 6°-8°C, and the weather is very changeable.

To the north and south of the equatorial belt there are subequatorial climatic zones, in which equatorial air masses dominate in summer and tropical ones in winter, so a typical subequatorial climate is characterized by humid, hot summers (called invier-no in Latin American countries), alternating with dry, often even hotter winter (verano). Average monthly temperatures are 25°-30°C, and annual precipitation amounts to 1500 mm or more. The summer-humid subequatorial climate is especially pronounced in the Llanos Orinoco, the central parts of the Brazilian Highlands and western Ecuador. On the eastern slopes of the Guiana Highlands, due to favorable relief conditions, a humid type of subequatorial climate is formed, in which the dry season is almost not pronounced. In the high-mountain region of the subequatorial belt (Andes of southern Ecuador and northern Peru), in contrast to the mountain-equatorial region, there is a winter dry period and a greater amplitude of both average monthly and daily temperatures. In the tropical zone, the differences between the interior and oceanic parts of the continent become more acute. In the eastern coastal region (eastern Brazilian Highlands), under the constant influence of humid trade winds, a humid tropical climate is formed, similar to the climate of the eastern region of the subequatorial belt, but with large temperature amplitudes and precipitation, also due to cyclonic processes on the polar fronts. Further to the west (in the Gran Chaco), a long winter dry period is expressed, and in inland areas (the high mountain region of Puna of the Central Andes) high pressure and dry tropical air prevail for most of the year, precipitation drops to 150-300 mm, daily amplitudes temperatures can reach 25-30°C in extremely unstable weather. Finally, the western oceanic region, which is under the constant influence of the eastern pr-riphery of the South Pacific anticyclone, as on other continents, is characterized by a desert type of tropical climate with an annual precipitation of less than 30-50 mm, but with significant relative humidity (up to 83%), cloudiness, heavy dew and relatively low temperatures in the coastal strip (average monthly temperatures from 13°C to 21°C). Internal differences are equally great in the subtropical zone. In the east (in Uruguay and Pampa) there is a warm, uniformly humid climate (in the summer due to monsoon-type winds, the rest of the time - cyclonic precipitation), further to the west the continental and arid climate increases (precipitation falls only in the summer), and in In the west of the continent, as usual in these latitudes, a Mediterranean type of subtropical climate with wet winters and dry summers is formed.

In the temperate zone, with the dominance of westerly air transport, the Andean barrier causes sharp differences between the semi-desert climate of Patagonia and the constantly humid oceanic climate of southern Chile, where precipitation exceeds 2000-3000 mm, and average monthly temperatures on the coast do not fall below 0 ° C, but not rise above 15°C. These changes in climate types, both from the equator to higher latitudes, and within the belts from the eastern edge of the continent to the western, largely determine the patterns of distribution of zonal components of landscapes.