Chapter 1.1|Climate and landscape
Cold and warm winters (first factor: lattitude)
The climate in U.S. varies due to factors like latitude. In the north, such
as in Minneapolis, winters are cold and summers are warm, with a large
temperature amplitude (a 34°C difference between the coldest and
warmest months). However, southern areas like Miami have milder
winters and smaller temperature variations, with a January average of
20°C and a temperature amplitude of just 8°C.
Sea and wind (second factor: origin of the wind)
On the west coast, an onshore wind from the Pacific Ocean moderates
temperatures, leading to cool summers and mild winters in the north
(Seattle) creating an oceanic climate. Further south, summers become
hotter and drier, creating a Mediterranean climate.
In the south-east, an onshore wind from the Gulf of Mexico brings
warm, moist air, making the region hot and rainy, with mild winters and
heavy rainfall.
, In the north-east, cold winters are caused by offshore winds bringing
cold air from the polar regions, while summers are warm due to winds
from the south, creating an continental climate there.
Mountains extend from north to south (third factor: relief)
The western U.S. is mountainous, while the eastern U.S. is mostly flat,
except for the Appalachians. Mountains run north to south, blocking
ocean winds and leading to temperature differences between summer
and winter.
Precipitation is influenced by these mountains. Along the west coast, the
Coast Ranges capture moist winds, causing rain mainly on the windward
side, while the Central Valley (on the leeward side) is dry, relying on
irrigation for farming.
The Great Basin, further inland, is a dry plateau in the rain shadow of the
Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range, creating a desert and steppe
climate.
The flat middle of the US lies between two mountain ranges: the Rocky
Mountains and the Appalachians. This means that the area between
these mountain ranges is hardly affected by the Atlantic Ocean.
Cold and warm winters (first factor: lattitude)
The climate in U.S. varies due to factors like latitude. In the north, such
as in Minneapolis, winters are cold and summers are warm, with a large
temperature amplitude (a 34°C difference between the coldest and
warmest months). However, southern areas like Miami have milder
winters and smaller temperature variations, with a January average of
20°C and a temperature amplitude of just 8°C.
Sea and wind (second factor: origin of the wind)
On the west coast, an onshore wind from the Pacific Ocean moderates
temperatures, leading to cool summers and mild winters in the north
(Seattle) creating an oceanic climate. Further south, summers become
hotter and drier, creating a Mediterranean climate.
In the south-east, an onshore wind from the Gulf of Mexico brings
warm, moist air, making the region hot and rainy, with mild winters and
heavy rainfall.
, In the north-east, cold winters are caused by offshore winds bringing
cold air from the polar regions, while summers are warm due to winds
from the south, creating an continental climate there.
Mountains extend from north to south (third factor: relief)
The western U.S. is mountainous, while the eastern U.S. is mostly flat,
except for the Appalachians. Mountains run north to south, blocking
ocean winds and leading to temperature differences between summer
and winter.
Precipitation is influenced by these mountains. Along the west coast, the
Coast Ranges capture moist winds, causing rain mainly on the windward
side, while the Central Valley (on the leeward side) is dry, relying on
irrigation for farming.
The Great Basin, further inland, is a dry plateau in the rain shadow of the
Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range, creating a desert and steppe
climate.
The flat middle of the US lies between two mountain ranges: the Rocky
Mountains and the Appalachians. This means that the area between
these mountain ranges is hardly affected by the Atlantic Ocean.
