Bend -- climate most similar to what European region? (work, move)

[rocket j squirrel]

The terrain and geography are different, but Bend is at about the same latitude as central France. Anyone here familiar enough with European climate to know whether there is some place in Europe with a similar climate to Bend's?

[karlsch]

Because Europe's climate is influenced so much by ocean currents, you can't really compare Bend to France even though they are about the same latitude.

The climate of the high desert (Bend is in the high desert) of North America is probably similar to the climate of the Steppes of Central Asia. Varies depending on where you are, but generally hot in the summer, cold in the winter, not a lot of rain.

Some people call the North American high desert the North American Steppes.

[tablemtn]

I would say that Bend's geography is most similar to the climate and landforms in central and eastern Turkey. You could also find some similarities with Spain's "Desierto de Tabernas."

[Bendite]

I don't think anything place in Europe really has a climate like Bend's. Maybe the Spanish side of the Pyrenees or even parts of the French side

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

I would say that Bend's geography is most similar to the climate and landforms in central and eastern Turkey. You could also find some similarities with Spain's "Desierto de Tabernas."

Maybe if the Californians knew about these places and the Steppes of Central Asia they would move there instead of to Bend.

[rocket j squirrel]

Originally Posted by karlsch

Maybe if the Californians knew about these places and the Steppes of Central Asia they would move there instead of to Bend.

Too far away. Besides, all California appliances run on 115V -- even if one could find an outlet in Central Asia, what kind of current would it be? Too risky. One's cappuccino machine might not work.

[thePR]

They just had an article about a week ago in the Chicago Tribune about how the 45th parallel, around the world, is great for vineyards. In fact if you were to follow any latitude across the world, the climate is relatively the same.

World of change in winemaking -- chicagotribune.com

[DRvortec]

Originally Posted by karlsch

Maybe if the Californians knew about these places and the Steppes of Central Asia they would move there instead of to Bend.

Not, not nice.

[DRvortec]

I find it funny how people pick on California's. But, yet those are the same people who give an attitude and go to Church on Sunday. It is funny. Don't get me wrong, I see it in other states as well. People in general just aren't happy anymore. Kinda of sad how they bring others down and remove the welcome map.

My $.02

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by thePR

In fact if you were to follow any latitude across the world, the climate is relatively the same...

I'm reading the article now. I am not certain it is making that claim for any other latitude but the 45th. Even if you confine yourself to the 45th depending on elevation and distance from coastlines etc. you will get VERY different microclimates. Basically on any given latitude there 'may' be several that are quite alike but there may be many more that are quite unalike. The 45th just has enough more that are alike to make for a coincidence worth reporting on.

H