Why can't this forum agree what subtropical means? (places, seasons, USA)

[Ariete]

Originally Posted by pdw

On the milder side, would you consider somewhere like Seogwipo in Korea to be subtropical?

Yes, no doubt about it.

[Joe90]

I would say a climate that has a lesser degree of disruption to its ecology/natural environment during the winter months, is more subtropical than any climate with a greater degree of disruption, no matter how hot it gets at any either time of the year.

[P London]

Originally Posted by pdw

Over 25 C in all months would be in almost all cases, tropical, unless nights were unusually chilly for the daytime highs.

On the milder side, would you consider somewhere like Seogwipo in Korea to be subtropical?

Nope not Subtropical to me winters too cold.

[tom77falcons]

Originally Posted by Joe90

I would say a climate that has a lesser degree of disruption to its ecology/natural environment during the winter months, is more subtropical than any climate with a greater degree of disruption, no matter how hot it gets at any either time of the year.

But then theoretically you could have a subtropical climate with winter high/low of 50f/40f, and summer temps of 55f/45f. Despite a lack of winter freezes, what a lousy and cold subtropical climate that would be. I'd rather live in a climate like DC vs that eternal chill.

[dunno what to put here]

Originally Posted by P London

Nope not Subtropical to me winters too cold.

Winters are probably very stable though - I doubt it goes below freezing often, if at all.

[P London]

Originally Posted by dunno what to put here

Winters are probably very stable though - I doubt it goes below freezing often, if at all.

For me winters have to be around 14c or warmer (average highs not means) with means around 7c 10c highs are a bit chilly to be called Subtropical.

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by tom77falcons

But then theoretically you could have a subtropical climate with winter high/low of 50f/40f, and summer temps of 55f/45f. Despite a lack of winter freezes, what a lousy and cold subtropical climate that would be. I'd rather live in a climate like DC vs that eternal chill.

Where is such a climate then?

Using real world climates, I think the idea of less disruption of ecology, is far superior to any other benchmark for identifying whether a climate is more/less subtropical.

In theory, climates systems are objective, identifying patterns of weather/climate and cause and effect, independent of human likes or dislikes. I think how nature responds to seasonal shifts of any place, is a far better indicator of determining how subtropical a climate is.

[deneb78]

Originally Posted by tom77falcons

But then theoretically you could have a subtropical climate with winter high/low of 50f/40f, and summer temps of 55f/45f. Despite a lack of winter freezes, what a lousy and cold subtropical climate that would be. I'd rather live in a climate like DC vs that eternal chill.

I agree. Based on Joe's criteria, the Faroe Islands are subtropical because there isn't much disruption between summer and winter. I imagine it would look not much different there between summer and winter with only 7C difference between the warmest month and the coldest month.

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by deneb78

I agree. Based on Joe's criteria, the Faroe Islands are subtropical because there isn't much disruption between summer and winter. I imagine it would look not much different there between summer and winter with only 7C difference between the warmest month and the coldest month.

I wouldn't say that the Faroe Islands are Subtropical, but more subtropical.

The not looking much different is the point.

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by deneb78

I agree. Based on Joe's criteria, the Faroe Islands are subtropical because there isn't much disruption between summer and winter. I imagine it would look not much different there between summer and winter with only 7C difference between the warmest month and the coldest month.

After looking at Macquaire Island's climate stats, I think you're right.

What I should have said, is that a location with higher levels of winter plant/animal activity, is more subtropical than area with lower levels of winter activity.