Hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes threaten parts of the region. Climate Regions A Varied Region Most people in the United States and Canada live in temperate climate regions. Natural Hazards Hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes threaten parts of the region. The Far North The Pacific Coast The West The Great Plains The East Tropical Areas What types of natural hazards does our community need to be prepared for? Why do you think most people in the US and Canada live in the middle latitudes? Climates are relatively mild and the fact that most cities, and therefore most jobs, are located in the middle latitudes.

The Far North Location: Northern parts of Alaska and Canada. Description: Winters are long and cold, while summers are brief and cool. As a result few people live in the harsh environment. The extreme cold prevents the growth of most plants and trees. Barrow, Alaska is the northernmost city in the United States.

The Pacific Coast Location: Southern Alaska to southern California. A view of Mt. Rainier in Tacoma, Washington. Description: Southern Alaska to northern California has mild temperatures and abundant rainfall. It is common to see evergreen forests, ferns, and mosses. Southern California has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. There is much less rainfall here than in northern areas. A surfer at Black’s Beach in San Diego, California.

Sunset east of Tucson, Arizona The West Location: Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Description: Has hot summers and mild winters. The inland west receives little rainfall. Plants here have adapted to survive on little rain. The Grand Canyon Sunset east of Tucson, Arizona

A map of the Great Plains Location: Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado. Description: Has cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Enough rain falls to support prairie grasses and grains. Dry weather, however, sometimes affects the area. A view of the Great Plains near Lincoln, Nebraska. A dust storm approaches Stratford, Texas, in 1935. A map of the Great Plains

The East Location: Eastern Canada and the US to Southeastern US (Florida). Description: Both climate areas have a variety of forests. Wetlands and swamps cover some of the southeast. Temperatures can be very similar in the summer but can be very different in the winter. Northeast US Southeast US

True color satellite photo of Hawaii Tropical Areas Location: Southern Florida and Hawaii Description: Temperatures are hot in the summer and warm in the winter. Rainfall occurs mainly in the summer. Year-round temperatures average 70 degrees. True color satellite photo of Hawaii