Climate Regions: United States & Canada

Northern Climates Subarctic (widest temp. range!) Very cold winters 2/3 of Canada Tundra Bitter winters, cool summers Not many people live here…why? It’s WAY TOO COLD!!!!!! High pressure in Canada keeps subarctic areas cold in the winter. Also keeps central USA cold in the winter.

Northern Climates: Affect on Vegetation Coniferous forests in subarctic region Most plants cannot grow in tundra; only lichens and algae on rocks

Western Climates: Wide Variety! Marine West Coast: 100+ inches of rain along Pacific Coast (Alaska to California) Deserts located in-between Pacific Ranges & Rocky Mountains

Affect on climate Latitude, elevation, ocean currents & rainfall can all effect climate Ocean currents + wind from Pacific Ranges = Marine West Coast climate along Pacific Rain-shadow effect produces deserts in-between Pacific Ranges & Rockies High elevations (mountains) give a cooler, highland climate Chinook winds (a warm, dry wind in late winter & early spring) blow in the Rocky Mountains and melts snow at the bottom of the mountain—warmer spring & summer!

Western Climates: Vegetation Marine West Coast: coniferous forests Desert & steppe: cacti & wildflowers Vegetation varies in highlands; none above timberline, the elevation above which trees cannot grow

Interior Climates Humid Continental Bitterly cold winters, hot summers 10-30 inches of rain a year From central U.S.A. (Great Plains) to southern Canada

Interior Climates: Factors Affecting Climate Supercells, or violent spring & summer thunderstorms, can produce tornadoes Moist winds from the Gulf of Mexico gives this area rainfall  why there is no rain- shadow effect from the Rockies

Interior Climates: Affect on Vegetation Prairies, or naturally treeless expanses of grasses, are found in the Great Plains

Eastern Climates Humid Subtropical: long & muggy summers, mild winters Humid Continental also found here

Factors Affecting Climate: Eastern Hurricanes can hit coastlines (ocean storms with winds of at least 74 mph) Blizzards hit places along the Humid Continental climate region in the winter.

Vegetation: Eastern Climates Deciduous forests around Mississippi River (near Louisiana) and in NE USA Swamps & wetlands found in Florida and Louisiana (humid subtropical)

Tropical Climates Tropical Savanna Tropical Rain Forest Climate in the southern tip of Florida Tropical Rain Forest Found in Hawaii and in Puerto Rico (P.R. is not a state, but the USA owns it)

Factors Affecting Climate: Tropical The proximity (closeness) to the equator gives this region warm temperatures year-round Hurricanes can also hit this region

Vegetation: LUSH!! (A lot)