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As I’ve often said (really I borrowed this line from an old college professor)…much about climate is “perspective”. I think Koppen, and later Trewartha had their own perspectives, even considering how accurate their climate classifications are.
I was always had the perspective /impresssion that Temprerate Oceanic Climates (particuarly those in the Southern Hemisphere) had abnormally cool summers compared to what much of the world’s population experiences in summer (or at the time of high sun). I can remember many old professors telling us that residents of Temperate Oceanic Climates (again, particularly those in the Southern Hemisphere) have cooler summers than most populated regions on earth – even those cities truly in the edge of the Northern Hemisphere subarctic!
So I thought it would be interesting to really compare the summer months in Temperate Oceanic Climates to subarctic areas. Look at the results. Make an honest answer – were you surprised at the outcome?:
SUMMER MEAN TEMPRETURES IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATES (Do):
I think it's unfair to compare temperate oceanic climates in the summer to those of the subarctic region in the northern hemisphere due to the large landmasses in these areas. Land heats up faster in summer so even at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere with a large land area and near continuous daylight, you're going to have surprisingly high temperatures. I've read that Fairbanks, AK has recorded 90F and it's close to the arctic circle.
Conversely, most oceanic climates only have the waters around them to regulate the temperature and water warms up and cools off much more slowly than land and so it's natural it's not going to be as warm in the summer and much warmer in the winter (as long as the water doesn't freeze).
Nobody is saying that temperate oceanic climates have hot or even warm summers but you are right it's all perspective.
Those northern hemisphere subarctic climates in the list appear to be only marginally warmer in summer than the SH ones, but have much colder winters. So i'd go with the maritime options (as much as I hate maritime climates).
I think it's unfair to compare temperate oceanic climates in the summer to those of the subarctic region in the northern hemisphere due to the large landmasses in these areas. Land heats up faster in summer so even at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere with a large land area and near continuous daylight, you're going to have surprisingly high temperatures. I've read that Fairbanks, AK has recorded 90F and it's close to the arctic circle.
Conversely, most oceanic climates only have the waters around them to regulate the temperature and water warms up and cools off much more slowly than land and so it's natural it's not going to be as warm in the summer and much warmer in the winter (as long as the water doesn't freeze).
Nobody is saying that temperate oceanic climates have hot or even warm summers but you are right it's all perspective.
But did you think they were that cool compared to high latitude subarctic?
It is a bit shocking to me to see that temperate oceanic climates rival subartic regions in summer mean temps (they are even cooler than subarctic areas). This is a bit shocking when you look at global mean temps.
It was definitely surprising to me when I first saw the stats as to how mild of a summer some maritime climates like New Zealand and parts of Australia get. Also surprised at first glance at how mild California's coastal cities were.
Much of this had to do with seeing posters or images of these areas depicted as sunny/with palm trees etc., growing up, which made me even more surprised when I realized their summers are milder than my own city's.
It was definitely surprising to me when I first saw the stats as to how mild of a summer some maritime climates like New Zealand and parts of Australia get. Also surprised at first glance at how mild California's coastal cities were.
Much of this had to do with seeing posters or images of these areas depicted as sunny/with palm trees etc., growing up, which made me even more surprised when I realized their summers are milder than my own city's.
Coastal southern California always surprised me, with their frequent fog/cloud and summer highs of 20-25C most of the time.
I grew up in Christchurch and can remember plenty of "summer" days with maximums in the mid teens...Many a bbq with friends was ruined (violins playing ).
Even Sydney can get cool/mild days in summer (this Monday the maximum was just 21C) but the flipside for me are the very mild winters and sunnier weather. It is entirely possible to have mid winter maximums exceeding mid summer maximums, although not very frequently.
However I am not sure I could handle a Northern Hemisphere winter!
I grew up in Christchurch and can remember plenty of "summer" days with maximums in the mid teens...Many a bbq with friends was ruined (violins playing ).
LOL, it's been like that all day (and all of yesterday) but then it shot up about ten degrees to 28 C at 6 PM and is still 24 C where I am at 10:30 PM. Very weird.
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Originally Posted by ADGreen
However I am not sure I could handle a Northern Hemisphere winter!
I wondered about that: would I rather have a proper summer and a cold, snowy winter instead of a marginal summer and chilly winter? I'm very cold intolerant, but then the snow would be nice (although the novelty would probably wear off quickly). I don't know what I'd prefer.
LOL, it's been like that all day (and all of yesterday) but then it shot up about ten degrees to 28 C at 6 PM and is still 24 C where I am at 10:30 PM. Very weird.
I remember driving along Moorhouse Ave one warm summer evening and seeing a readout of 26C at 10pm! no idea how accurate that was, but it was a very warm ChCh evening...
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I wondered about that: would I rather have a proper summer and a cold, snowy winter instead of a marginal summer and chilly winter? I'm very cold intolerant, but then the snow would be nice (although the novelty would probably wear off quickly). I don't know what I'd prefer.
I am going through a similar dilemma . Would it be worth having a snowy winter if it meant a hot summer? However my preference sways more towards the mild summer / mild winter scenario (than hot summer/cold winter).
Summers here are quite cloudy and definitely not "hot" which is disappointing (although the nights are very mild). But I have found the autumns and springs here are pleasantly surprising - the former since the temps are more stable day-in day-out and the latter due to the higher sunshine %'s. Also late winters are very sunny.
I think it is all about changing my perspective - rather than expecting a great summer, appreciate the equinoxal seasons more (which are a big upgrade compared to other places I've lived).
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