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My reason: because sometimes words have a connotation in common language that differs from a scientific definition/concept. The word "subtropical" invokes the imagery of palm trees, holiday resorts, etc, which is very distracting when trying to define something in terms of temperature ranges and criteria.
Second reason: there is a huge amount of diversity in climate types between different continents and locations. Further, "sub-tropical" by definition is a transitional zone - not really tropical, and not really temperate either. It's always difficult to put your finger on a something like that.
Köppen's is definitely flawed, as is Trewartha's and many others. The climates I admire are for the actual climates themselves and not their classifications.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdw
Cut me some slack, it's not like I'm a reg on anything.
If Koppen hadn't used the term Subtropical to describe Cfa, this debate wouldn't happen.
Keep in mind that Köppen did not call all Cfa climates subtropical. He only used the term "subtropical" when he classified his climates (Cfa, Dwb etc.) into other existing classifications. Hettner's classification for example contains a warm-temperate continental zone and a subtropical zone, Köppen only said that Cfa climates belong to this two categories.
Because the idea of a "subtropical" climate is highly subjective. NYC being classified subtropical under the Koppen system is really pushing the boundaries of credibility though.
Personally my own thoughts on a subtropical classification intuitively align more to latitudinal location more than the criteria of one of the climate category systems. I think of the subtropics as somewhere nearer to the Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn, so these climates generally aren't significantly different to an equatorial climate for me other than the fact they often have a cooler, drier season.
I agree, NYC should not be subtropical. More like temperate.
A good guideline is that if your climate has 7 to 11 months with a high above 20 C, you live in a subtropical zone. Basically from Central FL to just south of DC.
Ideally, subtropical itself should be divided into 2 zones. Cool winter subtropical and warm winter subtropical. The former would include Any locality with winter high temperatures between 41 F-55 F. Cities in this region include Baltimore, DC, Louisville, St Louis, Nashville, Raleigh, Atlanta, Memphis, OKC, and Richmond. The latter would include Any location with winter temperatures between 55-69 F. Cities in this list include Jacksonville, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando, Columbia, Birmingham, Austin, Savannah, and San Antonio. Anything north is Continental, and south is tropical.
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