An arid climate is a type of climate that is characterized by a severe lack of water, which hinders or prevents the growth and development of plant and animal life. Arid regions tend to lack vegetation and are often called xeric or desertic. Most arid climates are found along the 30-degree latitude line, both north and south of the equator, and cover about 33% of the Earths land. The distribution of aridity is largely the result of the general circulation of the atmosphere, which changes significantly over time through climate change.

Key features of an arid climate include:

• Precipitation: To have an arid climate, an area must receive less than 10 inches of rain per year. However, many areas of arid climate receive far less than that. Rainfall in an arid environment is sporadic and mostly in the form of thunderstorms.

• Temperature: Arid climates are known for being hot and dry, with temperatures that can reach as high as 130 degrees or as low as -30 degrees. The temperatures will depend on the latitude of the desert, with areas farther from the equator being colder.

• Soil: The soil in arid regions is dry and compact, and therefore unable to absorb water quickly, leading to flash floods and extreme evaporation.

Plants and animals in arid regions have developed adaptive methods to survive the harsh environment. For example, some plants can remain dormant most of the time, only growing and reproducing when water is available. Animals have also adapted to the environment, such as camels, which can go for long periods without water.

In summary, an arid climate is a type of climate that is characterized by a severe lack of water, which hinders or prevents the growth and development of plant and animal life. Arid regions tend to lack vegetation and are often called xeric or desertic. Most arid climates are found along the 30-degree latitude line, both north and south of the equator, and cover about 33% of the Earths land.