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Subtropics Information

The subtropics are the geographical and climatical zone of the Earth immediately north and south of the tropical zone, which is bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, at latitudes 23.5°N and 23.5°S. The term "subtropical" describes the climatic region found adjacent to the tropics, usually between 23.5 and 40 degrees of latitude in both hemispheres.

Contents

Definition

According to climatologist Glenn G. Trewartha, a subtropical region should have at least eight months with a mean temperature of 10 °C (50.0 °F) or above. His revision of the Köppen climate classification assigns to such areas the letter C, while others zones encompassed in the original Köppen group C class would be considered part of group.

American climatologist John F. Griffiths in his book Applied climatology described the subtropical zone as having a coldest month of between 6 °C (42.8 °F) and 18 °C (64.4 °F) and assigning to this group the letter B, while the original B group of Köppen taxonomy would be spread over the various temperature-based groups.

German climatologists Carl Troll and Karlheinz Paffen defined warmgemäßigte Zonen ("Warm temperate zones") plain and hilly lands having an average temperature of the coldest month between 2 °C (35.6 °F) and 13 °C (55.4 °F) in Northern Hemisphere and between 6 °C (42.8 °F) and 13 °C (55.4 °F) in Southern Hemisphere, excluding oceanic and continental climates. According to Troll-Paffen climate classification, generally exist one a large subtropical zone[1] named Warmgemäßigt-subtropisches Zonenklima (en: warm-temperate subtropical zone) divided into seven smaller areas.[2]

According to E. Neef climate classification subtropical zone divided into two parts: Winterregenklima der Westseiten (en: Rainy winters of the west sides) and Subtropisches Ostseitenklima (en: Eastern subtropical climate).[3]

According to Wilhelm Lauer & Peter Frankenberg climate classification subtropical zone divided into three parts: hoch-continental (high-continental), kontinental (continental) and maritim (maritime).[4]

According to Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, subtropical is one of six climate zones in the world.[5]

Characteristics

In subtropical climates the winters are relatively warm-mild, but not as hot as the summer season. These climates rarely—if ever—see frost or snow and plants such as palm, citrus and many broadleaf evergreens flourish, in contrast to the hardier deciduous and coniferous trees which dominate midlatitude climates. As one moves toward the tropical side the slight winter cool season disappears altogether, while at the poleward threshold of the subtropics the winters become much cooler.

Rainfall patterns vary widely throughout the subtropics including hot deserts, savannas, monsoon forests, humid forests and the warmer parts of the Mediterranean climate zone. Subtropical regions include most of California and southern Europe (Mediterranean or dry-summer subtropical climate), the low deserts of the Southwest USA (hot arid type), the Gulf Coast and most of Florida (humid subtropical climate), northern India (monsoon), southeast China (humid), the middle part of South America (varied), much of Australia (varied) and coastal South Africa.

Varieties by Köppen climate classification

Subtropical highland variety (Cwb)

The Subtropical Highland variety (Köppen climate classification: Cwb) of the oceanic climate exists in elevated portions of the world that are either within the tropics or subtropics, though it is typically found in mountainous locations in some tropical countries. Despite the latitude, due to the higher altitudes of these regions, it tends to share characteristics with oceanic climates, though it also tends to experience noticeably drier weather during the "low-sun" season.

In locations outside the tropics, other than the drying trend in the winter, Subtropical Highland climates tend to be essentially identical to an oceanic climate, complete with mild summers, noticeably cooler winters and in some instances, some snowfall. In the tropics, a Subtropical Highland climate tends to feature spring-like weather year-round. Temperatures here remain relatively constant throughout the year and snowfall is seldom seen. Areas with this climate feature monthly averages below 22 °C (72 °F) but above −3 °C (27 °F) (or 0 °C (32 °F) using American standards). At least one month's average temperature is below 18 °C (64 °F). Without the elevation, many of these regions would likely feature either tropical or humid subtropical climates. These regions usually carry a Cwb or Cfb designation..

This type of climate exists in parts of east, south and south-eastern Africa, some mountainous areas across southern Europe, sections of mountainous Latin America, some mountainous areas across Southeast Asia, higher elevations of the southern Appalachians, and parts of the Himalayas. It also occurs in a few areas of Australia, although average high temperatures during summers there tend to be higher and the climate drier than is typical of Subtropical Highland Climates, with maximums sometimes exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).[6]

Mediterranean climate

Main article: Mediterranean climate

The Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa) is a particular variety of the subtropical climate found around the Mediterranean Sea, the largest area where this climate type is found, but it also prevails in much of California, in parts of Western and South Australia, in southwestern South Africa, in isolated regions of Central Asia, and in parts of central Chile.

The climate is characterized by warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. Mediterranean climate zones are associated with the five large subtropical high pressure cells of the oceans, the Azores High, South Atlantic High, North Pacific High, South Pacific High, and the Indian Ocean High which cause the dry summers.

Humid subtropical climate

Main article: Humid subtropical climate

The humid subtropical climate is a subtropical climate type characterized by hot, humid summers and warm to cool winters. The average annual precipitation may either be evenly distributed throughout the year (Köppen climate classification: Cfa) or marked by a dry season or drying trend during winter (Köppen climate classification: Cwa).

Humid subtropical climates lie on the southeast side of all continents, generally between latitudes 25° and 40° north and south. However, in Europe, it extends above latitude 45° N, covering regions such as the Po Valley of Italy, which includes Venice, the Toulouse region of France, and along the Black Sea coast. In East Asia, the influence of the Siberian anticyclone depresses winter temperatures, pushing the southern boundary of this regime to around China's Hainan Island, at latitude 20° N.

In subtropical climates the winters are relatively warm-mild, but not hot as the summer season. These climates rarely—if ever—see frost or snow. As one moves toward the tropical side the slight winter cool season disappears altogether, while at the poleward threshold of the subtropics the winters become much cooler.

Subtropical semi-desert/desert climate[7]

This section requires expansion.

Subtropical areas

Examples of subtropical cities and areas around the world include (see map above for more details):

In Africa
In the Americas
In Eurasia
In Oceania
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Subtropical flora and landscapes

Charts of selected cities with varieties of the subtropical climates

Subtropical highland variety

Mexico City
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
11 21 6 4.3 23 7 10 26 9 26 27 11 56 27 12 135 25 12 175 23 12 169 23 12 145 22 12 67 22 10 12 22 8 6 21 7
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0.4 70 42 0.2 73 45 0.4 78 49 1 80 51 2.2 80 53 5.3 76 54 6.9 73 53 6.7 74 53 5.7 72 53 2.6 72 50 0.5 71 46 0.2 69 44
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Bogotá
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
33 20 9 43 20 10 66 20 10 111 19 10 94 19 10 57 18 10 41 18 10 49 18 10 73 19 10 115 19 10 88 19 10 54 19 10
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: HKO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
1.3 67 49 1.7 67 50 2.6 67 50 4.4 67 50 3.7 66 50 2.2 65 50 1.6 65 50 1.9 65 50 2.9 66 50 4.5 66 50 3.5 66 50 2.1 67 50
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Antananarivo
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
270 28 17 257 26 17 183 25 16 51 25 15 20 23 13 7.2 21 11 11 20 10 15 21 10 9.5 23 11 67 25 13 171 26 15 304 26 16
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
11 82 62 10 79 62 7.2 78 61 2 77 59 0.8 73 55 0.3 70 51 0.4 68 51 0.6 69 51 0.4 73 52 2.6 77 56 6.7 79 59 12 78 61
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Mediterranean climate

Barcelona
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
41 14 5 29 15 5 42 16 7 49 18 9 59 21 12 42 24 16 20 28 19 61 28 19 85 26 17 91 22 13 58 17 8 51 15 6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO[9]
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
1.6 56 40 1.1 58 42 1.7 61 44 1.9 64 47 2.3 69 54 1.7 76 60 0.8 82 65 2.4 82 67 3.3 78 62 3.6 71 55 2.3 63 47 2 58 42
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Los Angeles
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
85 20 9 94 21 10 80 21 11 21 23 12 7.9 24 14 1.5 26 16 0.3 29 18 3.3 29 19 8.1 29 18 9.4 26 16 27 23 11 49 20 9
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: NOAA
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
3.3 68 49 3.7 70 50 3.1 70 52 0.8 73 54 0.3 74 58 0.1 80 61 0 84 65 0.1 85 66 0.3 83 65 0.4 79 60 1.1 73 53 1.9 69 48
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Cape Town
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
15 26 16 17 27 16 20 25 14 41 23 12 69 20 9 93 18 8 82 18 7 77 18 8 40 19 9 30 21 11 14 24 13 17 25 15
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: HKO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0.6 79 60 0.7 80 60 0.8 78 58 1.6 73 53 2.7 69 49 3.7 65 46 3.2 64 45 3 64 46 1.6 67 48 1.2 70 51 0.6 74 56 0.7 77 59
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Humid subtropical climate

Hong Kong
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
25 19 14 52 19 14 71 22 17 189 25 21 330 28 24 388 30 26 374 31 27 445 31 26 288 30 26 152 28 23 35 24 19 35 20 16
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: HKO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
1 65 57 2 65 58 2.8 71 62 7.4 77 69 13 83 75 15 87 79 15 88 80 18 88 80 11 86 78 6 82 74 1.4 75 67 1.4 69 60
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
São Paulo
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
239 27 19 217 28 19 160 27 18 76 25 16 74 23 14 56 22 12 44 22 12 39 23 13 81 24 14 124 25 15 146 26 17 201 26 18
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: HKO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
9.4 81 66 8.5 82 66 6.3 81 65 3 77 61 2.9 73 57 2.2 71 54 1.7 71 53 1.5 74 55 3.2 75 57 4.9 77 60 5.7 79 62 7.9 79 64
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Brisbane
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
114 30 21 130 30 21 94 29 20 60 27 17 64 24 14 56 22 12 22 22 10 42 23 11 33 26 14 84 27 16 111 28 19 158 29 20
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: BoM
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
4.5 87 71 5.1 86 71 3.7 84 68 2.4 81 63 2.5 76 56 2.2 72 53 0.9 71 50 1.6 74 51 1.3 78 57 3.3 80 61 4.4 82 65 6.2 85 69
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Subtropical semi-desert/desert climate

Zaragoza
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
22 10 2 20 13 4 20 17 5 35 19 7 44 23 11 31 28 15 18 32 18 17 31 18 27 27 15 30 21 10 30 14 6 23 11 4
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0.9 51 36 0.8 56 38 0.8 62 41 1.4 66 45 1.7 74 52 1.2 82 59 0.7 89 64 0.7 88 64 1.1 80 58 1.2 69 51 1.2 58 42 0.9 51 38
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Cairo
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
5 19 9 3.8 20 10 3.8 24 12 1.1 28 15 0.5 32 18 0.1 34 20 0 35 22 0 34 22 0 33 21 0.7 29 17 3.8 25 14 5.9 20 10
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0.2 66 48 0.1 69 49 0.1 74 53 0 83 58 0 90 64 0 93 68 0 94 72 0 94 72 0 91 69 0 85 63 0.1 77 57 0.2 69 51
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Lima
Climate chart ()
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0.9 26 19 0.3 27 19 4.9 26 19 0 24 18 0.1 22 16 0.3 20 15 0.3 19 15 0.3 18 15 5.4 19 15 0.2 20 15 0 22 16 0.3 24 18
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
0 78 66 0 80 67 0.2 79 67 0 76 64 0 71 61 0 67 60 0 66 59 0 65 58 0.2 66 58 0 68 59 0 71 62 0 75 64
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

See also

References

  1. ^ Climatic map by Istituto Geografico De Agostini, according to Troll-Paffen climate classification
  2. ^ Die Klimaklassifikation nach Troll / Paffen - klimadiagramme.de
  3. ^ Die Klimaklassifikation nach E. Neef - klimadiagramme.de
  4. ^ Wilhelm Lauer & Peter Frankenberg climate classification
  5. ^ Die Klimatypen der Erde - Pädagogische Hochschule in Heidelberg
  6. ^ Bureau of Meteorology (2011). "Climate of Canberra Area". Commonwealth of Australia. http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/canberra/climate.shtml. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  7. ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/606540/tropical-and-subtropical-desert-climate
  8. ^ China Meteorological Administration
  9. ^ "Weather Information for Barcelona". World Weather Information Service. http://www.worldweather.org/083/c01232.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-02.

External links

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