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Most humid continental climates have usually overcast and rainy summers. Seasonality for me should mean that the summers should "look" different from winters -- Winters are cloudy and snowy. Summers are just a bit sunnier, but can be cloudy and damp as well. Summer and winter skies don't look that different. Only distinguishing feature is the ground with the snow cover, bare trees and of course the temperatures (although I was focusing on the visual differences). To be honest, a true continental climate are those that have a dry summer (Dsa and Dsb), but nobody cares about those. So, if anything, humid continental climates are rather liked and far from underrated. But that's because many large cities in the world have Dfa climates (NYC, Chicago, Toronto, Bucharest, etc).
Dfa climate's "sunny" summers may indeed be far sunnier than their winters, but they're still not very sunny and are hardly comparable to those of Mediterranean climates which actually have sunny summers. Not to mention, longer days in the summer means more sunshine likelihood, so I wouldn't count protracted summer days which naturally raise the sunshine hours count. My family visited Chicago back in June 2011 and they complained how cloudy and humid it was with some cool nights. I think "true" continental climates with distinct seasons are those with dry & reliably hot summers, occasionally snowy winters and wet springs (notice how every season has its own weather trend, whereas Dfa climates can have rain and clouds anytime of the year!), like these for instance:
Swimming is more appropriate in leisure centres in Dfa climates, since rivers and beaches will tend to have cool waters for most people (although that's debatable and it depends on the person). FYI, blooming foliage and fall foliage occur in more milder subtropical climates as well. Deciduous plants are not native here in Sydney/SE Australia and those planted here do excellent in this climate with their stunning autumn foliage!
Can't comment on many other cities, but I've found many days here during summer to be reasonable in terms of sunniness.
Beach water is warm enough for me in Jul-Sep, it may not be so for others however.
Yes, like I said before, subtropical climates do have seasons. They just don't have them at their peak.
I think your comment really demonstrates the subjectivity of how good or bad a climate is, which I started this thread by pointing out.
I wouldn't say they are underrated, just too cold for too long.
While winter would be great for skiing on nearby hills, and skating etc. The coldest 4 months of a Toronto spring/autumn are still much colder than my winter, which only leaves the 3 summer months of summer being warmer than my Oceanic climate, and only by an average of 2C - not well balanced imo, but rather just a cold/chilly climate, with a nice summer.
Despite subjectivity I can see why you think so. I've never been living anywhere outside of Toronto, but if I lived in a temperate (be it subtropical, oceanic, Mediterranean, or highland) climate for a signficant amount of time, I wouldn't be accustomed to the non-temperate nature of continental climates.
None of the local networks use that station for forecast. Regardless it is the least representative for Toronto. Are you saying the other stations are cold?
I didn't know they didn't use it for forecast. Nor did I know there was more than 1 station, I've only ever seen data for The Annex and never heard of data from elsewhere.
I didn't know they didn't use it for forecast. Nor did I know there was more than 1 station, I've only ever seen data for The Annex and never heard of data from elsewhere.
You don't think it's okay for Toronto to be too cold for some?
Having escaped from the American Midwest, I absolutely detest humid continental climates. Winters are too cold, too windy, too humid and too long. Summers are stifling hot. Spring and summer are too short and too uneven. The last snow is typically in mid-April, but by early May, air conditioning is already required.
Instead I'd prefer a climate where it is possible to be comfortable in a traditional business-suit year-round: not sweat in summer, not shiver in winter. Set the temperature at 60 degrees, and forget it.
I personally love humid continental climates and tend to favor the Dfc/Dfb ones in particular.
My ideal climate is Labrador City or St. John's (Newfoundland/Labrador). I enjoy all seasons but favor winter and fall. I like winters that are cold, snowy and long.
I guess they are underrated since a lot of people like Mediterranean climates or prefer less changeable climates.
Having escaped from the American Midwest, I absolutely detest humid continental climates. Winters are too cold, too windy, too humid and too long. Summers are stifling hot. Spring and summer are too short and too uneven. The last snow is typically in mid-April, but by early May, air conditioning is already required.
Instead I'd prefer a climate where it is possible to be comfortable in a traditional business-suit year-round: not sweat in summer, not shiver in winter. Set the temperature at 60 degrees, and forget it.
Well summers are not stifling hot compare to humid subtropical climates. Oceanic climates have coolish summers and subtropical/tropical climates have sweltering summers, only humid continental climates have warm to occasionally hot summers with average highs in the upper 70s and low 80s (Southern Ontario, Massachusetts). Similarly, Toronto's summers are only hot for people from Vancouver, cities like Houston and New Orleans have stifling hot summers.
Last edited by Mandy242; 12-20-2021 at 05:27 PM..
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