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As far as vegetation goes, I think the native ranges of the Southern Yellow Pines (four different species) paint an interesting picture (for the U.S.), you have the Loblolly and Shortleaf species that ride the Atlantic coast up to southern NJ and southern NY, respectively. It appears that their native ranges generally correspond to hardiness zone 7 and above, or some other isotherm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unobtainium
I think people stretch "temperate" way too far. To hear some people tell it, everything between the arctic and Florida is "temperate."
In my view, the "true" four-season temperate climate begins transitioning to something different around 40N (in North America). The plant life is noticeably changing even around 43N. Once you get south of 40N it's very noticeable if you pay attention to ecosystems.
Here's my attempt at classification, along with examples. This only works in the east though.
Arctic - in the arctic; extreme cold in the winter; milder but often cold in the summer (frost possible at any month) Subarctic cool summer - far northern Ontario; boreal forest; extreme cold in the winter; summers are generally frost-free but not very warm. Subarctic warm summer - transitional zone in northern Ontario. Winters still have extreme cold temps but of shorter duration; summers are surprisingly warm; deciduous species start to creep into the southern portion of this transitional zone. Temperate warm summer - Mixed coniferous and deciduous vegetation; a four-season climate with cold (but usually not extreme) winters and warm summers. Ottawa/Montreal would be in the northern part of this zone, Toronto is in the southern part. Temperate hot summer - As above, except the coniferous vegetation is almost entirely gone, replaced by deciduous forests. Still a four-season climate, but summers are hotter and more consistently humid. Winters may also be a bit milder, especially near the Atlantic or around lakes (e.g. Detroit, Cleveland, etc.). Interesting species that thrive in this zone include Paw-paw fruit. Also trees like sassafras start to appear regularly. Subtropical cold winter - A bit further south again (starting around 40N in some areas, especially the coast); a few broad-leaved evergreen trees creep into the deciduous landscape here and there. Truly southern species begin to appear (e.g. in southern Illinois where bald cypress starts to appear in swamps, around 39N). Summers are very hot and humid and last a bit longer. Winter is still cold at times (hence the "cold winter" name) but interspersed with a lot of mild weather. Subtropical cool winter - Most of the US "South" falls in this category. Winters are still cool, and occasional cold snaps can occur, but the winter weather is generally mild or even sometimes warm. Summers, on the other hand, start early, end late, and are extremely hot and humid. Subtropical warm winter - As above, except the winters are actually warm. Most of South Florida is in this zone, and parts of central Fla. Tropical - Doesn't really exist in the contiguous U.S., except maybe extreme South Florida (the keys, etc.) All seasons are warm/hot.
Last edited by unobtainium; 10-04-2014 at 01:59 PM..
Macon has average highs 2/3C higher every month of the year, but with average lows almost the same.
I wonder what inland area is furthest north that can truly be called subtropical because lots have lows cooler than 3C in January.
Pretty close, but personally I would go a little more to the coast.
I would say more a line from the Outer Banks (close to the coast) following the coast down to Myrtle Beach. From Myrtle it starts to veer a little further inland. I think Macon is close, but still a little too far inland. I'm thinking somewhere between Macon and Waycross. From inland of Charleston down to the point between Macon and Waycross seems a bit more subtropical in vegetation.
These pics are from Macon January 2014. Looks close, but you don't see CIDP's.
Upper limit of subtropical is 8b, while lower limit is 10b. Anything above 8b is temperate, anything below 10b is tropical. I go by what the plant life is like, not what a table says. Also, it has to be on the eastern side of the continent, west of the middle is not subtropical for me even though much of the southwest is 8b or higher. That's just desert and Mediterranean. Also, I know the geek inside of all of us will point out a flaw in my argument, and say but look at northwestern Europe, some places can grow CDPs and they are not subtropical. Well, clearly not, which is why I said subtropical, not oceanic. Average high has to be at least 80°F for at least 5 months.
Myrtle Beach is 8b, while Macon is 8a. Seems pretty reasonable.
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