Lack of big cities in areas with 4 seasons in california? why? (Los Angeles: to live in, costs)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

This is like asking why the north pole is always cold or the equator is always warm. It's geographical. So, it's just a silly question, really.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

This is what our OP doesn't understand. West Coasts in the Northern Hemisphere have more ocean influence than East Coasts in the Northern Hemisphere. That means there is less temperature variation between the summer and winter months and that the "4 seasons" climates are pushed much farther north than they would be at the same latitude on the East Coast. And even places like Portland and Seattle have milder winters than places like New York or Philadelphia, despite the fact that they're much farther north.

This is actually true for both hemispheres due to the ocean currents being reversed in each. Mediterranean climates are almost always found on the western side of continents.

[AnthonyJ34]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

This is like asking why the north pole is always cold or the equator is always warm. It's geographical. So, it's just a silly question, really.

Yet the question generated considerable input and debate. I think it’s a valid question.

[Californiaguy2007]

Well in my opinion The Lancaster-Palmdale Area is probably the closest thing you'll get to a California city with something kinda similar to a 4 season climate...No it's not similar to a Midwest Winter,but by California Standards it is cold during the winter.

The Central Valley also has many towns/cities that are considered cold by California Standards during the winter months,especially at night and early mornings.

[Weatherdude123]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

This is like asking why the north pole is always cold or the equator is always warm. It's geographical. So, it's just a silly question, really.

what? there are many areas in california that geographically are pretty flat, have 4 seasons. this is a reasonable question.

[Weatherdude123]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

This is what our OP doesn't understand. West Coasts in the Northern Hemisphere have more ocean influence than East Coasts in the Northern Hemisphere. That means there is less temperature variation between the summer and winter months and that the "4 seasons" climates are pushed much farther north than they would be at the same latitude on the East Coast. And even places like Portland and Seattle have milder winters than places like New York or Philadelphia, despite the fact that they're much farther north.

i know that the pacific ocean does influence the climate, but there ARE areas with 4 seasons in california. modoc county entirely has 4 distinct seasons. It has lots of surface area for building. The issue is theres no motivation to build anything major there.

[AnthonyJ34]

Originally Posted by Weatherdude123

i know that the pacific ocean does influence the climate, but there ARE areas with 4 seasons in california. modoc county entirely has 4 distinct seasons. It has lots of surface area for building. The issue is theres no motivation to build anything major there.

Big Bear Lake, California has four seasons, as does Idyllwild and Lake Arrowhead. A general and rough rule of thumb that I have read is that ascending 1,000 feet in elevation is akin to traveling 200 miles north in terms of climatic difference. Therefore, areas in the Southern California Mountains can have climates similar to southern Canada. Many of our taller mountain peaks have biotic communities found in alpine areas. The Mediterranean climate still prevails overall though, but elevation greatly adjusts that.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I think it's fair to say most people wouldn't consider the Central Valley a true 4 season climate. A typical winter high of 55 with a low of 35 is really more like Spring than Winter, especially to those who want a 4 season climate. Basically, if it has palm trees, it's not a 4 season climate.

I thinks it fair to say most people (that includes people who live in the subtropics and tropics) would say that the Central Valley has a 4 season climate. The difference between winter and summer is remarkable. You can even say that about the Santa Clara Valley. It's not warm in the Santa Clara Valley in the winter; most people need a sweater or jacket; someone from Russian may not think there is a winter, but someone from Hawaii or Mexico would say there is a Winter.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by AnthonyJ34

Big Bear Lake, California has four seasons, as does Idyllwild and Lake Arrowhead. A general and rough rule of thumb that I have read is that ascending 1,000 feet in elevation is akin to traveling 200 miles north in terms of climatic difference. Therefore, areas in the Southern California Mountains can have climates similar to southern Canada. Many of our taller mountain peaks have biotic communities found in alpine areas. The Mediterranean climate still prevails overall though, but elevation greatly adjusts that.

I agree with you, and lets make another distinction concerning precipitation and SoCal vs. NorCal.

NorCal mountains receive by far more snow/rain especially at lower elevations. Also the snow stays on the ground a lot longer over the course of the year. This adds to overall Winter affect in NorCal.

[AnthonyJ34]

Originally Posted by Chimérique

I agree with you, and lets make another distinction concerning precipitation and SoCal vs. NorCal.

NorCal mountains receive by far more snow/rain especially at lower elevations. Also the snow stays on the ground a lot longer over the course of the year. This adds to overall Winter affect in NorCal.

Good points. And the increased precipitation and the resulting greenery makes No. Cal an enticing area to me. Precipitation and greenery noticeably increase north of San Francisco. And the foothills of the Sierras get a lot of rain as well, just as you pointed out. The snow levels are much lower in the north as opposed to the south as well, with significant snowfall occurring at relatively low elevations, e.g, 2,000-3,000 feet; at those elevations in So. Cal, not much snow falls. The forests up north occur at much lower elevations as well. At 3,000-4,000 feet elevation in Southern California, very little forest exists; but at that altitude up north, the forest can be lush and expansive.