Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
To be subtropical summers must be the most dominate season or thereabouts.
Same as above really, Hot to warm summers and mild to slightly chilly winters. Snow and frost should be exceptionally rare. Precipitation pattern shouldn't matter.
I don't have strict definitions, but generally speaking:
• All months should average above freezing.
• At least 1/3rd of the year should average above the tropical threshold of 18C.
• Should average at least 30 inches (762mm) of precipitation.
• Hardiness zone of at least 7a, the limit of a lot of subtropical plant species.
• 3/5ths of the year (219 days) should be frost free, at the least.
Absolutely no snow or frost, apart from in record-breaking events.
The problem is if that where the criteria, then what would set subtropical places apart from tropical places?
The 1st criteria (though not the only) of a tropical climate is it is frost free.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caleb Yeung
What means subtropical?
Let's look at it this way....what means "subarctic or subpolar(E)" ?
A subarctic climate should have many of the attributes of a true arctic climate (F) (high latitude, very cold temps, always near/close to the polar vortex at 300 mb, arid...etc)....but with some forum of moderation of those conditions and less frequent.
So the same should apply to subtropical climates; What makes a climate tropical - warm/hot....high rainfall...humid/high dew points....vertical clouds most of the time....strong sun angle.....little seasonal variation....etc. So a subtropical climate should have these attributes in moderation and not all year.
If you look at this map....for the most part the areas that are in the "C" zone (or subtropical) work well. Their coldest month is around 45 F/8 C. While there are outliners near the edges of these zones where topography or landmass influnces things more...most of the stations in the C zone work every well. Remember of course, unlike tropical climates, there are three types of subtropical climates - the Cf (Humid) and Cs (Mediterranean) and even Bw (subtropical deserts):
The problem is if that where the criteria, then what would set subtropical places apart from tropical places?
The 1st criteria (though not the only) of a tropical climate is it is frost free.
Sustained warm temperatures. Tropical would have means above 18-20C in every month, whereas a subtropical climate could have winter temperatures ranging from Scilly-like to Mediterranean island.
I don't have strict definitions, but generally speaking:
• All months should average above freezing.
• At least 1/3rd of the year should average above the tropical threshold of 18C.
• Should average at least 30 inches (762mm) of precipitation.
• Hardiness zone of at least 7a, the limit of a lot of subtropical plant species.
• 3/5ths of the year (219 days) should be frost free, at the least.
There may be exceptions to these rules though.
With the exception of rainfall, I live in a subtropical climate according to your definition.
january average of 4,1°C, 4 months >18°C, 655 mm of rainfall, zone 9a and 250 frost-free days. Maybe dry subtropical?
Gentlemen, prepare for more fighting as this is the Middle East conflict of the Weather Forum.
My (humble, personal) idea of the archetypal subtropical climate is Buenos Aires. No dry season, mildly cool winters on average, but with some freezing cold snaps or conversely warm or even hot winter days; warm to hot and humid summers.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
