How many seasons does the tropics have

Areas near the equator receive constant direct sunlight and therefore, heat. The slight difference in temperature is enough to change the wind patterns and keep this area dry for much of the year, until the winds shift and the rainy season begins. How Much Precipitation Does it Receive? The change in precipitation is what gives this climate type is name.

Precipitation only falls during the summer months, usually from May-August with June and July having the heaviest rain. The whole dry season usually has less than 4 inches of rain. During the wet season, at least 25 inches will fall.

Some areas of Tropical Wet and Dry in the path of monsoon winds can receive incredible amounts of rain. Cherepunji, India once received over 1, inches of rain in a year! Northern Madagascar has the record for rain in one day inches! Mawsynram, India is known as the "wettest place on earth" because they average inches of rain per year. These incredible rainfall records are due to seasonal winds called monsoon, which bring dangerous amounts of rain.

The lack of regular rainfall prevents most trees from surviving in Tropical Wet and Dry. In northern Nigeria, Kano averages There are only two seasons since the ITCZ only moves into the region once a year before returning south.

The two observed seasons are:. Please Contact Us. Toggle navigation JetStream. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone The location of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is usually readily seen as a line of cumulus clouds in the tropics. This is the location where northeast winds in the Northern Hemisphere converge with the southeast winds from the Southern Hemisphere.

The location of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is usually readily seen as a line of cumulus clouds in the tropics. Location of the country Nigeria.

Chart showing the monthly normal rainfall for Kano and Lagos, Nigeria. Disclaimer Information Quality Help Glossary. Learn more about the relationship between the earth and the sun with these resources. Encyclopedic entry. South America's economy is centered on the export of is rich diversity of natural resources. Forests support a huge diversity of life. Despite the importance of forests, they are being removed at frightening rates. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.

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