Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Climates on the East Coast of the US at similar latitudes have a similar lag as well. NYC is colder in February than December.
Some northern very maritime spots along the east coast have March almost the same as December. Think somewhere near or on Cape Cod is like that (41°N).
Coastal California has the same asymmetric lag, with little winter lag but a large summer lag. Perhaps some similar mechanism is happening where you are.
I wonder what causes this, the lower and central Midwest sees a similar pattern but to a less extent. I made a thread on it a month ago but it got ignored lol.
Coastal California has the same asymmetric lag, with little winter lag but a large summer lag. Perhaps some similar mechanism is happening where you are.
I've noticed this fact and I don't get it. Some cities haven't a winter lag at all, just like some continental climates.
Why do some areas of the Pacific Northwest and California have December slightly colder than January if they are strongly influenced by the ocean? Does the ocean cool fast in November?
This happens both on coastal cities like Seattle, Bellingham, Astoria, Eureka, San Jose, Long Beach, and inland cities like Portland, Eugene, Medford, Redding, Sacramento, Fresno, Paso Robles, Santa Ana...
Coastal California has the same asymmetric lag, with little winter lag but a large summer lag. Perhaps some similar mechanism is happening where you are.
I would have thought sun angle explains the winter - August and September are warmer than June and May, which would be expected as days are longer
Sun angle doesn't explain summer though, but it could be less cold, dry southerlies during February -April compared to October to December.
January is only 0.5C colder than February, and that could probably be explained by one less rain day in February and slightly more sun.
I would have thought February colder than January, was common in Continental climates. While subtropical, Oceanic and Med climates would have warmer a February.
I actually thought the opposite as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orai
Vancouver and Seattle are also warmer in February than in January (and January is even warmer than December).
And December is the coldest month in such ocean influenced climates. It is confusing, a bit. It seems like the ocean does not influence their temperatures that much in December for some reason but starts to influence them more since January again.
February is the coldest months here, and it's because of the thick snowpack and less cloud cover, leading to cold soil and warmth escaping quickly to the lower atmosphere. Guess the reason is the same in parts of Russia. Additionally, the frozen shores of the Baltic Sea enhances this effect.
Here in NW England February is on average colder than January, because sea temperatures are at their lowest, and the winds are generally straight off the Atlantic, most of the time, so much oceanic influence, and winter seasonal lag.
Here in NW England February is on average colder than January, because sea temperatures are at their lowest, and the winds are generally straight off the Atlantic, most of the time, so much oceanic influence, and winter seasonal lag.
Sea temperature can't be the only factor as many places would have their coldest sea temperatures in February/August, while still having a warmer February/August than January/July.
Latitude and sun angle, might offset sea temperature, although that doesn't explain the North American west coast.
No it doesn't I've also wondered why their February seems to get warmer that quickly. Maybe their prevailing wind comes from a different direction than straight over the sea during those months. They are quite a bit south of us latitude wise and have a lot more sun hours in February than we do so could also be to do with stronger sun and more sun hours then making the temperatures rise quicker.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.