The climate of the tropical rainforest is able to support a wide varieties of animals. Above, is the green iguana. |
Within this latitudinal extent is the equatorial low pressure belt where the north-east trades and the south-east trades converge to form the inter-convergence zone. The temperature remains uniform and high throughout the year and there is concentrated insolation on the land surface. The midday sun is overhead twice a year during the equinoxes (March 21 and September 23). The sun’s ray also travel through a shorter distance of the atmosphere before reaching the equatorial areas, thus losing less heat through absorption by dust and water vapour, scattering and reflection. The average monthly temperature is 27° C. The annual range of temperature is small, 3° C. The day temperature seldom exceeds 32° C and the night temperature hardly drops below 22° C due to its extensive cloud cover. RainfallThe rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year. There is no distinct dry season. The annual rainfall ranges from 1500 mm to over 2500 mm. Convectional rain is common in the afternoon due to its high temperature throughout the year. The warm less dense air rises to great heights to form cumulonimbus clouds. The convectional rain is often accompanied by lightning and thunder. The relative humidity is 80% or more.
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