OCR B GCSE Geography Revision

Revision materials to support you in preparing for your GCSE Geography exams.

GCSE | OCR B GCSE Geography Revision | Global Hazards | Climate Zones

Revision Notes

Global Circulation System

Atmospheric Cells

High and Low Pressure

Climate Zones

Interactive Revision

Flashcards

Quiz

Climate Zones

A climate zone is a region of the Earth that has distinct weather patterns and temperatures. These zones are classified based on factors such as latitude, altitude, and nearby oceans or mountains. Each climate zone is characterised by its typical range of temperatures, precipitation levels, and vegetation types.

You need to understand the relationship between the global circulation system and the different climate zones.

Climate Zone	Laitude	Characteristics of climate	Link to global circulation system
Polar	60° to 90° North and South	Very cold temperatures year-round, with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. Low precipitation, mostly as snow.	Influenced by the Polar cell, where cold air descends at the poles, creating high-pressure systems and cold, dry conditions.
Temperate	30° to 60° North and South	Moderate temperatures with four distinct seasons. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.	Affected by the Ferrel cell, where warm air moves poleward and interacts with colder polar air, leading to variable weather.
Subtropical	20° to 30° North and South	Hot, dry summers and mild winters. Low annual precipitation, often in the form of brief, intense rainstorms.	Linked to the descending air of the Hadley cell, which creates high-pressure zones and dry conditions in these regions.
Tropical	0° to 20° North and South	High temperatures year-round with significant rainfall, especially in equatorial regions. Two main seasons: wet and dry.	Dominated by the Hadley cell, where warm air rises at the Equator, leading to heavy rainfall and the formation of rainforests.