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I observe this in other places like the west and the Midwest for example Missoula, MT and Fargo, ND.
I think that although they are higher places, the Arctic cold air does not flow as easily as it is possible on the plains.
As saritra stated, chinooks, or foehn winds are probably one of the most important aspects that explains why Minnesota is colder than western South Dakota for the same latitude.
The dryness may have an impact that explains why summers can average hotter further west, with high diurnal ranges, as rain and humidity suppress temperatures from increasing during droughts and heat waves. Minnesota, in turn, has a higher potential for drought/heat waves than areas further east (although the Great Lakes also play a role here, creating an additional marine influence, especially in Michigan resulting in milder winters here than MN as well, but cooler summers unlike SD).
Rapid City gets more sun and also regular foehn winds, combine that with lower humidity, and that's why they're warmer
Yes, all of the above....I call them Chinooks
Also, with a few exceptions, the farther west in North America you are
at any given latitude you are warmer...sometimes much warmer...
for example ...I’m at 43.5N ....exact same latitude as Boise, Idaho...
I’m almost at sea level ....Boise is over 2,000 feet...is my climate as warm as Boise?
no way Jose...cooler in every season.
Just like Los Angeles or Phoenix are far warmer than Atlanta...at the same latitude
Also, with a few exceptions, the farther west in North America you are
at any given latitude you are warmer...sometimes much warmer...
for example ...I’m at 43.5N ....exact same latitude as Boise, Idaho...
I’m almost at sea level ....Boise is over 2,000 feet...is my climate as warm as Boise?
no way Jose...cooler in every season.
Just like Los Angeles or Phoenix are far warmer than Atlanta...at the same latitude
Phoenix with Atlanta is a good example as well. But Los Angeles maybe not like other West Coast cities with the explanations that I imagine most know about (it was quite discussed here and in others forums and sites).
I don't think you can compare any cities on the west coast with other cities inland at the same latitude. The Pacific ocean mitigates a lot of extreme temps. That's why in Rapid City you can also see extreme swings of temperatures in such a short period of time, which you won't have in cities alongside the Pacific.
From Wikipedia: "The largest recorded temperature change in one place over a 24-hour period occurred on January 15, 1972 in Loma, Montana, when the temperature rose from −54 to 49 °F."
I remember our chemistry teacher telling us about the time he was in Rapid City. He had left in shirt sleeves and by the time he got home, the temp had dropped almost 50 degrees.He always carried a jacket with him after that.
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