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TEMPERATE CLIMATE
 CHARCTERISTICS

 In geography, temperate latitudes of the Earth lie between the subtropics and the
polar circles. Average yearly temperatures in these regions are not extreme, not
burning hot nor freezing cold. Temperate means moderate. Unlike in the tropics,
temperatures can change greatly here, between summer and winter

 Temperate climates are those without extremes of temperature and precipitation

(rain and snow). The changes between summer and winter are generally invigorating
without being frustratingly extreme.

 The moderate climate has mild to warm summers and cool winters.

 The need for winter home heating is greater than the need for summer cooling. It is a
relatively comfortable climate, especially near the coast, where summers are cooler
and winters warmer than further inland.

 In the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, winters are cold and summers are
pleasantly mild.

 There are two types of temperate climate: maritime and continental.

 The maritime climate is strongly influenced by the oceans, which maintain fairly
steady temperatures across the seasons.

 The Temperate Zone lies between the Antarctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn

 The seasons and day length differ significantly in the course of a year.

 Three main seasons can thus be distinguished:

 the hot and arid pre-monsoon season,

the warm-humid monsoon period,
the moderate or even cool winter period
 TEMPERATURE

 Being located at relatively higher elevations, these places experience lower

temperatures than hot and dry regions.

 The temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold. In summers, the temperature
reaches 30 – 34 ºC during the day and 17 – 24 ºC at night.

 In winter, the maximum temperature is between 27 to 33 ºC during the day and 16 to

18 ºC at night.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND ENIVRONMENT – NOTES, LIMA M.T.

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HUMIDITY

 The relative humidity is low in winters and summers, varying from 20 – 55%, and going
up to 55 – 90% during monsoons.

 PRECIP ITATION

 The total rainfall usually exceeds 1000 mm per year. Winters are dry in this zone.

 The climate is characterised by less frequent extremes, a more regular distribution of

the precipitation over the year and a longer Vegetation period - therefore the tame
"temperate"

 SKY CONDITION

 The sky is mostly clear with occasional presence of low, dense clouds during summers.

 The sky condition varies with the seasons.

 In the dry and cool season, it is clear with intense direct solar radiation.

 In the hottest period the sky is rather hazy and radiation is more diffused.

 During the monsoon period, heavy and low clouds often cover the sky, alternating
with periods of clear sky and intense solar radiation.

 SOLAR RADIATION

 The solar radiation in this region is more or less the same throughout the year.

 In the temperate zone, the solar radiation arrives at a smaller angle, and the average
temperatures here are much cooler than in the subtropics.

 WIND

 Winds are generally high during summer.

 Their speed and direction depend mainly upon the topography.

 Winds are variable and influenced by topographical conditions.

 During the dry period winds are dusty and hot in lower areas.

 In mountainous regions, strong and regular valley winds of thermic origin occur in the
afternoon.

 VEGETATION AND SOIL TYPE

 In areas that receive little precipitation, grasses remain low to the ground.
 Taller grasses can be found in warmer areas that receive more rainfall.
 Temperate deciduous forests have a great variety of plant species. Most have three
levels of plants.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND ENIVRONMENT – NOTES, LIMA M.T.

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 Lichen, moss, ferns, wildflowers and other small plants can be found on the forest
floor.
 Shrubs fill in the middle level and hardwood
 Trees make up the third level.
 TEMPERATE REGIONS IN INDIA
 Pune and Bangalore are examples of cities that fall under this climatic zone.

 Areas having a moderate climate are generally located on hilly or high-plateau regions
with fairly abundant vegetation

 Typical temperate deciduous forest soils are mull soils, which have a high level of
organic matter especially close to the surface that is well mixed with mineral matter.
Variations in soil materials and fertility have a strong influence on the types of trees
that will dominate the forest.

 TEMPERATE REGIONS IN WORLD

 Western Europe, in particular the UK, and western North America at latitudes
between 40 and 60° norths.

 SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS
 In the hot period, windows must be protected from solar radiation and glare.

 In the cold season, however, solar heat gain through openings is desired. Hence,
shading devices should be movable, which involves a somewhat complicated
mechanism and also the attendance of the inhabitants.

 Another possibility is a well-balanced design aiming at an optimal direct solar gain in

winter and good shading in summer.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND ENIVRONMENT – NOTES, LIMA M.T.