What city/town in California has the most changable weather

[KC6ZLV]

Originally Posted by californio sur

The high Sierra is the closest thing to weather common to the Pacific Northwest. In-fact, the weather that is typical of coastal Alaska and Washington is comparable to the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Otherwise the climate in California follows the typical Mediterranean model of mild winters and a long warm dry season.

Coastal Washington has a Cfb climate. Alaska has a Cfb or Cfc climate. These are called "West Coast Marine" climates. The Sierra Nevada has Csa, Csb, Dsb, Dsc, climates, with increasing elevation, and EH at the peaks. The east slope has a Bsk climate.

West Coast Marine and higher-elevation Mediterranean climates (Dsb and Dsc) are very different in temperature extremes, humidity, and precipitation patterns.

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by KC6ZLV

Coastal Washington has a Cfb climate. Alaska has a Cfb or Cfc climate. These are called "West Coast Marine" climates. The Sierra Nevada has Csa, Csb, Dsb, Dsc, climates, with increasing elevation, and EH at the peaks. The east slope has a Bsk climate.

West Coast Marine and higher-elevation Mediterranean climates (Dsb and Dsc) are very different in temperature extremes, humidity, and precipitation patterns.

Thanks for the clarification; I was wondering about what I wrote afterward since it did not make sense! I read that the higher one goes up in elevation that the climate takes on characteristics of northern-most climates. But as you point out, the highest peaks in the Sierra would probably be closer to central Alaska on the Arctic Sea, right? Coastal Washington would be way too mild in comparison to alpine elevations. It hardly even snows along the immediate coast of the Pacific Northwest.

[KC6ZLV]

Originally Posted by californio sur

Thanks for the clarification; I was wondering about what I wrote afterward since it did not make sense! I read that the higher one goes up in elevation that the climate takes on characteristics of northern-most climates. But as you point out, the highest peaks in the Sierra would probably be closer to central Alaska on the Arctic Sea, right? Coastal Washington would be way too mild in comparison to alpine elevations. It hardly even snows along the immediate coast of the Pacific Northwest.

I wouldn't say the highest peaks are like Alaska. It is certainly colder up there, but again, precipitation and temperature patterns are very different. The two locations would require you dress for very different kinds of weather throughout most of the year. The High Sierra is much warmer in the summer and a lot more snow than Central Alaska in the winter, although not as cold as interior Alaska.

Vegetation is a good indicator of similar climate types. A single species usually grows within a defined range of climates. As an example, Ponderosa Pine shows up in ares where precipitation is close to 20" or greater a year with warm summers, unless water flows into an area through geological means, such as valleys and along rivers. White Fir generally grows just above the elevation where snow is common. Groves of Douglas Fir, which most people associate with cool, wet climates, shows up in areas where precipitation is about 30" or greater and will grows in areas with very warm summers. It grows down to around 600 feet east of Sacramento where soil or micro-climates retain enough moisture.

There are exceptions, of course. I don't think I've seen Douglas Fir in Redding. The excessive dry heat probably kills the saplings. But you start to see them on the shady slopes just outside Redding.