| Back |    
     
 
  • Students may refer to one climatic type from either a tropical or temperate region. These notes apply to the TROPICAL CONTINENTAL (Savanna) Type Climate of West Africa.
 
 
  • For the tropical region seasonal changes are far more marked in the savanna and monsoon climates and for the temperate region seasonal changes are more pronounced for the continental interior and east coast margin.
 
 
  • Reference should be made to temperature, precipitation, winds and pressure change. It would be pleasing to see some supporting statistics in relation to temperature and precipitation changes, but if not students must use qualified descriptive statements.
 
 
  • For the tropical region the most important factor is the effect of the apparent seasonal migration of the overhead sun and the associated migration of the ITCZ and the movement of pressure and wind belts.
 
     
  Climate graph for Kano: example of a Tropical Continental (Savanna) Climate Graph  
 

 
  Source: Waugh  
     
 

The Savanna - complete the gapped hand-out to make your notes. Click on pic below.

 
 

 
     
     
  Seasonal Rainfall in Tropical Continental climate  
 

 
  Source: Waugh  
     
     
  Seasonal shift of ITCZ Make sure you study the PowerPoint - link below.  
  PowerPoint Adapted from source: http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/t/nqresource_tcm4230111.asp  
  The three sample screen shots below would be useful diagrams to learn how to draw.  
 

 
     
 

 
     
 

 
     
     
  ITCZ and West Africa: Click on Pic  
 
Source: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//tropics/itcz.htm
 
  exercise on above content  
     
  Transect across the Savanna grasslands: Mark where Lagos and Kano (Nigeria) would be on your copy of this diagram.  
 

 
  Source: Waugh  
     
  The Savanna - complete the gapped hand-out to make your notes. Click on pic below.  
 

 
     
  Video: Nigeria - Tale of two families.