In general, tropical rainforests have hot and humid climates where it rains virtually every day. The level of rainfall depends on the time of year.
In the Amazon, the rainy season is from December to May. Rainfall varies over the year - the highest monthly rainfall is in March with over 300mm, while the lowest is in August with less than 50mm. Over the year, the temperature only varies by 2°C.
Layers of the tropical rainforest
The shrub layer is the lowest layer. It is dark and gloomy with very little undergrowth (plants) between the trees.
The under canopy. It is the second level up. There is limited sunlight. Saplings (young trees) wait here for larger plants and trees to die, leaving a gap in the canopy which they can grow into.
The canopy. This is where the upper parts of most of the trees are found. The canopy is 20 to 40 metres tall. This leafy environment is home to insects, birds and some mammals.
The emergent layer. These are the tops of the tallest trees in the rainforest. These are much higher, and so are able to get more light than the average trees in the forest canopy.