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Probably most of you here are aware of how temperatures dramatically rise just a short distance inland from California's coast in the summer. From Wikipedia: "In the Bay area, for example, the average maximum temperature in July is about 64 °F (18 °C) at Half Moon Bay on the coast, 87 °F (31 °C) at Walnut Creek only 25 miles (40 km) inland, and 95 °F (35 °C) at Tracy, just 50 miles (80 km) inland."
However, the coast only has slightly higher minimums in winter. Is there an example anywhere of a place being dramatically colder than another place only a short distance away? (Not including going right up a mountain, although a gradual increase in elevation in okay). In particular, I'm interested in it being possible to drive from a location where it is snowing to a mild/warm one in an hour or so. It's less interesting if the differential is from being horrendously cold to slightly-less-horrendously cold, for instance in Siberia.
That's a good question. The only one I can think of at the moment is southern coastal Alaska (versus interior Alaska and the Yukon), but with much bigger distances separating the bitterly cold from the maritime.
These are both in Mexico:
In Baja California, station 00002017 Rosarito Pumping Station has a February high of 66.7F, while 2 miles inland station 00002042 Rosarito has a high of 73.6F.
In Sonora, Bahia de Kino's January high is 67.1F. San Isidro, about 18 miles away, has a high of 76.1F.
On the coast it could be 25C whilst inland (30km away) the temps will be around 35C.
EDIT: Okay, I didn't read the winter part. In winter, the microclimate is more pronounced during nighttime and early mornings. The city could see a low of 8C, whilst inland it can go down to -1C.
On the coast it could be 25C whilst inland (30km away) the temps will be around 35C.
That's summer though.
Quote:
These are both in Mexico:
In Baja California, station 00002017 Rosarito Pumping Station has a February high of 66.7F, while 2 miles inland station 00002042 Rosarito has a high of 73.6F.
In Sonora, Bahia de Kino's January high is 67.1F. San Isidro, about 18 miles away, has a high of 76.1F.
I'm sure there are better examples.
I guess that's technically winter, but the temperatures aren't exactly "wintery".
Maybe somewhere on the French Riviera vs somewhere in the Alps region is a possibility?
Maybe somewhere on the French Riviera vs somewhere in the Alps region is a possibility?
Whatever contrast there is in that region would be mostly due to elevation differences, not the maritime vs inland difference that you are looking for. For example, if you contrast Marseille on the coast vs Avignon inland (also at sea level), the difference is not impressive.
Another place with a large contrast in winter temperatures (although both elevation and continentality play a role) is central Turkey vs the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Still not anywhere as impressive as California summer contrasts...
For example, Mersin vs Kayseri, a distance of about 300 km.
Here's another decent comparison: Trabzon on the Black Sea coast vs Eruzurum inland in Turkey. A distance of 300 km and a difference of 16 degrees C in January mean temp. Record lows are -41 C in Erzurum and a mild -6 C in Trabzon.
Not sure if this suits your needs but what about Squamish, BC, and Whistler? They're about 60km apart, Squamish is at sea level, Whistler at 650m. In January Squamish high temps are 6C while up at Whistler high temps are 1C (at valley bottom). Whistler will have snow in January, Squamish generally not.
Whatever contrast there is in that region would be mostly due to elevation differences, not the maritime vs inland difference that you are looking for. For example, if you contrast Marseille on the coast vs Avignon inland (also at sea level), the difference is not impressive.
Another place with a large contrast in winter temperatures (although both elevation and continentality play a role) is central Turkey vs the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Still not anywhere as impressive as California summer contrasts...
For example, Mersin vs Kayseri, a distance of about 300 km.
I don't mind if it's mostly due to elevation, just that going straight up a mountain seems like cheating.
Quote:
Here's another decent comparison: Trabzon on the Black Sea coast vs Eruzurum inland in Turkey. A distance of 300 km and a difference of 16 degrees C in January mean temp. Record lows are -41 C in Erzurum and a mild -6 C in Trabzon.
Erzurum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trabzon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Speaking of the Black Sea, I wonder if Sochi -> somewhere in Russia would be a strong possibility? The average temperature in January is 5.9C, it seems likely that there's somewhere not too far away which is a lot colder.
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