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9.5.4: Humid Subtropical Climate

  • Page ID
    16101
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    Geographic Distribution

    north_carolina_NRCS_img0099.gif
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Humid subtropical climate of North Carolina

    The humid subtropical climate is found on the east coast of continents  between 20o and 40o N and S latitude. The humid subtropical climate can be found in the southeastern United States, southeastern South America; coastal southeast South Africa; eastern Australia; eastern Asia from northern India through south China to Japan.

    Controlling Factors

    The east coast location of the Humid Subtropical climate places it near the source region for maritime tropical air. Additionally, warm ocean currents paralleling  these coasts further enhance the instability of the air. These factors combine to produce moderate amounts of precipitation in most months of the year. The humid subtropical climate is subject to cold temperatures during the winter as cP air masses embedded in cyclonic storms pass through this region.

    memphis.jpg Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Climograph for Memphis, TN

    Latitude/Longitude = 35oN; 90oW
    Average Annual Temperature (oC) = 17
    Annual Temperature Range (oC) = 22
    Total Annual Precipitation (mm) = 1222
    Summer Precipitation (mm) = 536
    Winter Precipitation (mm) = 686

    Distinguishing Characteristics

    Temperature

    The humid subtropical climate is noted for its warm summer months, and relatively mild winters. Summer temperatures average between 21o (69.8oF) to 26oC (78.8oF) and no winter month has an average temperature below 0oC (32oF). Many days the temperature can hit 32oC (90oF) or higher. Moving poleward through the various climates of the earth, one notices the distinct development of a seasonal cycle of temperature, especially toward the poleward limits of the climate. The high humidity experienced in the humid subtropical climate makes warm days feel oppressive. The daily temperature range tends to be very small as the evening does not cool down much during the summer. Winter temperatures will dip into the single digits with the relatively frequent invasions of cP air masses, especially on the poleward side of the climate.

    Precipitation

    The humid subtropical climate gets its name from the high humidity experienced in this environment. Dominance of the warm and moist maritime tropical air creates summers similar to the humid tropics. Precipitation is generally evenly distributed throughout the year. Annual precipitation varies from 254 cm (100 in) near the coast to 63.5 cm (25 in) inland. Frost is generally only a problem in winter when very cold cP air masses penetrate this region, a real hazard for fruit and vegetable growers in the southeastern United States. A monsoon influence is experienced in Asia.


    This page titled 9.5.4: Humid Subtropical Climate is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Michael E. Ritter (The Physical Environment) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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