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The only switch would be the circulation regimes for ridges and troughs. And they still end up producing the same climate positions and wind direction on both hemispheres.
Even sticking at latitude-latitude, the point still stands:
The "harsh East" is a misconception that arises because the two areas on Earth prone to low-latitude cold happen to be on eastern sides (in North America and Asia). But that circumstance is nothing to do with east and west, and can simply be cancelled if there are modifying factors (i.e. oceans, mountains, etc).
Not at all. South Africa is an odd example to choose because a) Durban isn’t even in the mid-latitudes and b) is literally around the corner from the west coast. There’s not enough land mass in between to make the eastern coast continental. The same is true for Australia, a mini continent with no cold region, and therefore no source of freezing air. Of course these two would be exceptions to the rule.
This is true but the west coast of Europe has the added benefit of the gulf stream which gives the 'mildness' extra kick in Europe. Europes climate would be very different without the Gulf Stream.
Sure, but without the Gulf Stream, England would probably have temperatures like the central coast of British Columbia. Cooler but still not as cold in winter as New York City — an east coast location ten degrees of latitude southward!
NW Europe is mild and cloudy, NW North America is mild and cloudy. SW Europe has Mediterranean climate, SW US has Mediterranean climate. Northeast of North America has four seasons, eastern Europe has four seasons also with hot summers and cold winters
Yes, it is true. There is nothing «*abnormal*» about the western European weather conditions. These conditions are very different compared to the east coast of north America because of dominant winds and water currents goes from west to east.
There Is no reason to consider the climates of the east sides of continents to be the «normal ones*» and the climates of the west coast to be abnormal cases. From our western European references it is the eastern coasts of continents that have abnormally cold winter conditions for equivalent latitudes...
The eastern coast of North America would be warm too if it wasn't for the lack of mountains/oceans that stop the cold snaps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unobtainium
Not at all. South Africa is an odd example to choose because a) Durban isn’t even in the mid-latitudes and
Some broad definitions extend the mid latitudes to include as far equatorward as 30°. Durban is just about on that line.
Quote:
b) is literally around the corner from the west coast. There’s not enough land mass in between to make the eastern coast continental. The same is true for Australia, a mini continent with no cold region, and therefore no source of freezing air. Of course these two would be exceptions to the rule.
That's the point: there's no difference between the east and west coasts in regards to harshness of winter cold temps as long as there is some type of protective factor.
The western coasts of North America and Eurasia just happen to have the luck of protective mountain ranges that prevent against the cold snaps that affect the eastern sides. Remove those mountains, and those western sides would be getting plenty of "beasts" from the east.
Location: Live:Downtown Phoenix, AZ/Work:Greater Los Angeles, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texyn
The eastern coast of North America would be warm too if it wasn't for the lack of mountains/oceans that stop the cold snaps.
Some broad definitions extend the mid latitudes to include as far equatorward as 30°. Durban is just about on that line.
That's the point: there's no difference between the east and west coasts in regards to harshness of winter cold temps as long as there is some type of protective factor.
The western coasts of North America and Eurasia just happen to have the luck of protective mountain ranges that prevent against the cold snaps that affect the eastern sides. Remove those mountains, and those western sides would be getting plenty of "beasts" from the east.
How do you figure when the prevailing winds during winter are from the west?
Location: Near Tours, France about 47°10'N 0°25'E
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texyn
The western coasts of North America and Eurasia just happen to have the luck of protective mountain ranges that prevent against the cold snaps that affect the eastern sides. Remove those mountains, and those western sides would be getting plenty of "beasts" from the east.
What are the protective mountain ranges that would prevent western europe from the cold snaps ?? Look a map, western Europe is directly connected to the big continental Russian plains throught the north European plains without any relief... this absence of relief is what actually makes the oceanic climates to penetrate deeper into Europe, contrary to the North American west coast where the oceanic influence is stopped by the rocky mountains... not the inverse.
Last edited by french user; 03-17-2018 at 02:03 PM..
What are the protective mountain ranges that would prevent western europe from the cold snaps ?? Look a map, western Europe is directly connected to the big continental Russian plains throught the north European plains without any relief... this absence of relief is what actually makes the oceanic climates to penetrate deeper into Europe, contrary to the North American west coast where the oceanic influence is stopped by the rocky mountains... not the inverse.
Unlike our Rockies, the Alps have a mainly east west orientation.
Not really protecting western europe that much.
Alps probably help the French Riviera a bit.
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