Severe Midlatitude Climates (D)
Monday, July 6, 2026 9:12 AM
Humid Continental
- This climate region found in interiors of continents, extending to the east coasts of
continents in the higher middle latitudes. A region that experiences some of the most
changeable weather on earth due to the dramatic changes in daylight length in these
high latitudes. Its effects on temps are most notable
- Location
○ This is a northern hemisphere climate type b/c the southern hemisphere lacks
sufficient land masses in these latitudes. It lies in the polar front zone, where a jet
stream is formed in the northernmost section of the Westerly wind belt (a
battleground of polar & tropical air masses). It’s also located inland & stretches to the
east coast of North America & Eurasia. Subdivided into a southern section (35-55
degrees N latitude), the "long, hot summer” (Dfa, Dwa) & a northern section (45- 60
degrees N), the "short warm summer (Dfb, Dwb)"
- Temperature
○ Like its name suggests, there is a strong continental influence in this
region. Continental climates experience large annual diurnal temperature ranges, that
is true in this climate region, too. The region experiences these ranges due to
continentality & due to the great changes in daylight lengths throughout the year
- Precipitation
○ It rains all months of the year in this climate region. The greatest rain comes in summer
due to the influence of maritime tropical (mT) air masses bringing humidity, with the
convectional heating. In winter, continental polar (cP) air masses dominate, bringing
cold fronts and snow
- Subarctic/Taiga (Dfc, Dfd, Dwc, Dwd)
○ Taiga is a cold woodland vegetation w/ mosses & black spruce trees. About as far north
in latitude that trees can grow due to the permanently frozen soil conditions
(permafrost) any farther north in latitude -
- Location
○ The subarctic climate type is located across the high northern portions of great land
masses of North America & Eurasia (50-80 degrees N), but still NOT located along the
coasts of these continents. As w/ the humid continental climate type, the Southern
Hemisphere lacks sufficient land in these latitudes to be classified as subarctic
- Temperature
○ Winters are long, cold & dark, w/ 7+ months of freezing temps. Summers are short &
warm, cold in this region b/c of the oblique sun angles this far N latitude (lack of
insolation) b/c this region is located in the interiors of large continents
○ Brief summers & relatively mild, due to long daylight lengths, summers are MUCH
warmer than frigid winters. This region has the world's greatest annual temp ranges
- Precipitation
○ This region receives smaller precipitation total due to the cold temps which hold &
release little moisture. When it does rain, precipitation is frontal & often falls in the
form of snow.
Polar Climates (E)
- These climates are differentiated by degrees of coldness, where tropical climates have no
winter, polar regions have no summer & all months less than 50 degrees F. Precipitation
is sparse b/c cold air holds little moisture
A. Tundra (Et)
- A tundra is a ground-hugging vegetation, especially mosses. Located above the so-called
"tree-line." The precipitation & long, subfreezing winter (1-3 mos. above freezing) results in
permanently frozen subsoil aka permafrost
- Location: This climate is located above the arctic circle, along coastal fringes of N
America, Eurasia & coastal Greenland
- Temperature: This climate is warmer than the subarctic b/c of its coastal location (few
areas are over 100 miles from the ocean). Thus, the water keeps temps from getting too
cold
- Precipitation: B/c of the cold temps, winter causes Arctic Oceans to freeze over. This
region, therefore, loses its primary moisture supply. Though the cold air can only hold
small amounts of moisture, it does hold some in the summer months. Most precipitation
(snow), falls during the summer; when some of the sea ice melts & provides an increase
in moisture.
Ice-Cap (Ef)
- This is the most poleward & coldest of the world's climate regions. It’s also the only
climate w/ no permanent human inhabitants! It's just too cold!
- Location: This climate in Antarctica & the interior of Greenland (65-90 degrees N &
S). The Southern Hemisphere is back in the picture w/ this climate type. This region
makes up 10% of the world's surface! This is the only region in the world w/ continental
glaciers. These glaciers cover the whole of Antarctica & all of Greenland except along the
coast & they are several miles thick
- Temperature: No month averages greater than freezing (32F)! The low sun angle, highly
reflective snow, high surface elevations (glaciers 1-2 miles above sea level), these are the
coldest temps in the world. The coldest readings are found in the interior of Antarctica
- Precipitation: Precipitation is the absence of exceptionally cold air holding too much
moisture. High pressure due to the cold air keeps it from rising & precipitating, when it
does, it falls in the form of snow & keeps glaciers sustained b/c it's too cold for added
snow to melt. Global warming has caused these glaciers to melt & it’s water that causes
the ocean's sea levels to rise
Highland Climates (H)
- Mountain regions have different climatic conditions compared to their adjacent lowlands
& are classified as highland. Temps decreases as you rise up a mountain & if winds hit a
mountain barrier, it may cause precipitation on the windward side. If winds always blow
from the same direction, there is a notable wet & dry (rainshadow) side.
Monday, July 6, 2026 9:12 AM
Humid Continental
- This climate region found in interiors of continents, extending to the east coasts of
continents in the higher middle latitudes. A region that experiences some of the most
changeable weather on earth due to the dramatic changes in daylight length in these
high latitudes. Its effects on temps are most notable
- Location
○ This is a northern hemisphere climate type b/c the southern hemisphere lacks
sufficient land masses in these latitudes. It lies in the polar front zone, where a jet
stream is formed in the northernmost section of the Westerly wind belt (a
battleground of polar & tropical air masses). It’s also located inland & stretches to the
east coast of North America & Eurasia. Subdivided into a southern section (35-55
degrees N latitude), the "long, hot summer” (Dfa, Dwa) & a northern section (45- 60
degrees N), the "short warm summer (Dfb, Dwb)"
- Temperature
○ Like its name suggests, there is a strong continental influence in this
region. Continental climates experience large annual diurnal temperature ranges, that
is true in this climate region, too. The region experiences these ranges due to
continentality & due to the great changes in daylight lengths throughout the year
- Precipitation
○ It rains all months of the year in this climate region. The greatest rain comes in summer
due to the influence of maritime tropical (mT) air masses bringing humidity, with the
convectional heating. In winter, continental polar (cP) air masses dominate, bringing
cold fronts and snow
- Subarctic/Taiga (Dfc, Dfd, Dwc, Dwd)
○ Taiga is a cold woodland vegetation w/ mosses & black spruce trees. About as far north
in latitude that trees can grow due to the permanently frozen soil conditions
(permafrost) any farther north in latitude -
- Location
○ The subarctic climate type is located across the high northern portions of great land
masses of North America & Eurasia (50-80 degrees N), but still NOT located along the
coasts of these continents. As w/ the humid continental climate type, the Southern
Hemisphere lacks sufficient land in these latitudes to be classified as subarctic
- Temperature
○ Winters are long, cold & dark, w/ 7+ months of freezing temps. Summers are short &
warm, cold in this region b/c of the oblique sun angles this far N latitude (lack of
insolation) b/c this region is located in the interiors of large continents
○ Brief summers & relatively mild, due to long daylight lengths, summers are MUCH
warmer than frigid winters. This region has the world's greatest annual temp ranges
- Precipitation
○ This region receives smaller precipitation total due to the cold temps which hold &
release little moisture. When it does rain, precipitation is frontal & often falls in the
form of snow.
Polar Climates (E)
- These climates are differentiated by degrees of coldness, where tropical climates have no
winter, polar regions have no summer & all months less than 50 degrees F. Precipitation
is sparse b/c cold air holds little moisture
A. Tundra (Et)
- A tundra is a ground-hugging vegetation, especially mosses. Located above the so-called
"tree-line." The precipitation & long, subfreezing winter (1-3 mos. above freezing) results in
permanently frozen subsoil aka permafrost
- Location: This climate is located above the arctic circle, along coastal fringes of N
America, Eurasia & coastal Greenland
- Temperature: This climate is warmer than the subarctic b/c of its coastal location (few
areas are over 100 miles from the ocean). Thus, the water keeps temps from getting too
cold
- Precipitation: B/c of the cold temps, winter causes Arctic Oceans to freeze over. This
region, therefore, loses its primary moisture supply. Though the cold air can only hold
small amounts of moisture, it does hold some in the summer months. Most precipitation
(snow), falls during the summer; when some of the sea ice melts & provides an increase
in moisture.
Ice-Cap (Ef)
- This is the most poleward & coldest of the world's climate regions. It’s also the only
climate w/ no permanent human inhabitants! It's just too cold!
- Location: This climate in Antarctica & the interior of Greenland (65-90 degrees N &
S). The Southern Hemisphere is back in the picture w/ this climate type. This region
makes up 10% of the world's surface! This is the only region in the world w/ continental
glaciers. These glaciers cover the whole of Antarctica & all of Greenland except along the
coast & they are several miles thick
- Temperature: No month averages greater than freezing (32F)! The low sun angle, highly
reflective snow, high surface elevations (glaciers 1-2 miles above sea level), these are the
coldest temps in the world. The coldest readings are found in the interior of Antarctica
- Precipitation: Precipitation is the absence of exceptionally cold air holding too much
moisture. High pressure due to the cold air keeps it from rising & precipitating, when it
does, it falls in the form of snow & keeps glaciers sustained b/c it's too cold for added
snow to melt. Global warming has caused these glaciers to melt & it’s water that causes
the ocean's sea levels to rise
Highland Climates (H)
- Mountain regions have different climatic conditions compared to their adjacent lowlands
& are classified as highland. Temps decreases as you rise up a mountain & if winds hit a
mountain barrier, it may cause precipitation on the windward side. If winds always blow
from the same direction, there is a notable wet & dry (rainshadow) side.
