Hot climate

We explain what a hot climate is, and describe its characteristics and subtypes. In addition, we provide examples of plant and animal life in hot climate regions.

What is a hot climate?

A hot climate is a type of climate characterized by consistently hot temperatures above 64.4°F (18°C) all year round. This type of climate is common in the Intertropical Convergence Zone near the equator.

Hot climates can be subdivided according to precipitation levels, proximity to the equator, and distance from the tropics. Under the Köppen climate classification, the hot climate subtypes are: tropical rainforest, tropical monsoon, tropical savanna, hot semi-arid, and hot desert climates.

In some cases, hot climates can be very rainy. In such climates, the combination of heat and abundant precipitation supports the formation of jungles and rainforests.In other cases, hot climates can be extremely dry, with very little rainfall throughout the year. Hot dry regions are typically covered by vast deserts characterized by extreme heat and lack of vegetation.

• See also: Tropical climate

Characteristics of hot climates

Hot climates have the following characteristics:

• They are found in zones near the equator, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
• Monthly average temperatures never drop below 64.4°F (18°C).
• They may receive abundant precipitation throughout the year, creating very humid environments with jungle and rainforest biomes.
• They may have very low precipitation, forming vast deserts.
• Plant and animal life in these regions is adapted to high temperatures all year round.
• Certain hot climate regions are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes.
• Among the areas with hot climates are Central America, parts of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela in the Americas, Central and Northern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia in Oceania.

Hot climate types

There are five types of hot climates:

• Tropical rainforest climate. It is found in regions crossed by the equator. It features constant rainfall throughout the year, minimal seasonal variability, and temperatures ranging between 75 °F and 93 °F (24°C - 34°C) all year round. Precipitation is abundant, with no dry season. Annual totals are often above 118 inches (3000 mm), with the highest levels of precipitation reaching between 157 and 197 inches (4000 - 5000 mm). The combination of high temperatures and frequent rainfall supports the growth of lush vegetation. The predominant biome is the tropical rainforest, home to a wide diversity of plant and animal species.
• Tropical monsoon climate. This climate experiences high temperatures all year round, but precipitation levels are lower than in tropical rainforest climates. During the summer months, rainfall is very abundant, often exceeding 4 inches (100 mm) monthly. However, in the winter months, precipitation decreases significantly and may even receive no rain at all. The predominant biome is the rainforest, which results from high temperatures and abundant summer rainfall.
• Tropical savanna climate. This climate is characterized by high temperatures all year round and is marked by seasonal precipitation variations, with some months being very wet and others extremely dry. Unlike the monsoon tropical climate, the rainy season is much shorter, with some months experiencing no rainfall at all. The typical biome of this climate is the savanna, where grasslands show scattered trees, and plant and animal life is adapted to the alternation of wet-dry periods.
• Hot semi-arid climate. This climate has an annual average temperature above 64°F (18°C). It is characterized by mild winters and very hot summers, with annual precipitation ranging between 12 and 20 inches (300 - 500 mm). Plant and animal life in hot-semi arid regions is adapted to the extreme heat and lack of water.
• Hot desert climate. It has annual precipitation levels below 12 inches (300 mm), with average yearly temperatures above 64°F (18°C). It is marked by mild winters and very hot summers. Flora and fauna is sparse, with only a few plants and animals adapted to survive the heat and water scarcity all year round.

Distribution of hot climates

The distribution of tropical climates on Earth is as follows:

• Tropical rainforest climate. It is found in zones near the equator. It covers parts of Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and parts of the Caribbean Sea in the Americas; portions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Liberia, Uganda, and Gabon in Africa; and parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Fiji in Asia.
• Tropical monsoon climate. It is found in areas close to tropical rainforest climates. It covers parts of Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and northern Australia.
• Tropical savanna climate. It is found in some regions of Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Central America; in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Guinea in Africa; in certain parts of India, Myanmar, and Thailand in Asia; and in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea in Oceania.
• Hot semi-arid climate. This climate is found in parts of Mexico and the United States, the easternmost point of Brazil, and parts of Argentina and Paraguay in the Americas; in some areas of Central and Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya; in vast regions of India in Asia; and in northern Australia in Oceania.
• Hot desert climate. This climate is found in areas of northern Mexico and the Southern United States in the Americas; in much of northern Africa, in countries such as Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, Chad, Morocco, and Niger; in the Arabian Peninsula and other parts of Asia, in countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan; and in large parts of Central Australia in Oceania.

Flora and fauna of hot climates

In tropical rainforest climates, vegetation consists of dense tropical forests with a great biodiversity. Regarding fauna, primate species are common, with adaptations such as long and agile limbs for swinging through trees. In addition, there is a great variety of reptiles and amphibians.

In tropical monsoon climates, vegetation is also abundant but tends to be less dense than in tropical rainforest climates, and is adapted to the wet and dry seasons. As for fauna, a large number of animal species have adaptations to survive in the dry seasons or migrate seasonally in search of water.

Tropical savanna climates present vast grasslands with scattered trees. Plants are adapted to seasonal patterns with a prolonged dry season. Typical fauna of these climates includes tigers, zebras, elephants, and giraffes.

In hot semi-arid and hot desert climates, plants have adaptations to survive water scarcity that allow them to prevent water loss through evaporation and help them better capture moisture from the atmosphere and the soil. Likewise, animals have adaptations to survive the lack of water and heat, such as the ability to store water in their bodies, which allows them to survive long periods without drinking any water.

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References

• Arriols, E. (2018) Qué es el clima tropical y sus características. https://www.ecologiaverde.com/
• Meteorología en red (s.f) Clima árido. https://www.meteorologiaenred.com/
• Sans, I (2022) Clima tropical: características, temperatura y plantas. https://www.clima.com/
• Terrasa, D. (2018) Clasificación climática de Köppen. https://geografia.laguia2000.com/