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Being 5 or 10C colder than summer averages does not constitute a "real" winter. Sure, it might feel a little chilly relative to summer averages, and astronomically speaking it may constitute a winter. But without decent snowpack and subfreezing temperatures, it just wouldn't feel "wintry."
@flamingGalah and ghost-likin: Yes, that includes most of the UK and most of North Carolina, imo. Even NYC (where I live) has a half-assed winter, with sunny 5C weather and lack of persistent snowpack.
^ To have a real winter, in my opinion the mean for the coldest month has to be <45F and snowfall must be at least 5 inches per annum.
Being 5 or 10C colder than summer averages does not constitute a "real" winter. Sure, it might feel a little chilly relative to summer averages, and astronomically speaking it may constitute a winter. But without decent snowpack and subfreezing temperatures, it just wouldn't feel "wintry."
@flamingGalah and ghost-likin: Yes, that includes most of the UK and most of North Carolina, imo. Even NYC (where I live) has a half-assed winter, with sunny 5C weather and lack of persistent snowpack.
agreed. actually, in the grand scheme of things, a winter average of 0C, -5C or even -10C is not that cold at all. most of the landmass in the NH +45-50N averages below that.
This. Snowfall in Canberra is very low as well, so definitely not a real winter.
IMO, a "real winter" is a climate which satisfies at least two out of three of the following conditions:
-mean temperature below 0C (32F) from Dec-Feb (NH) or June-Aug (SH)
-snowfall of at least 50cm (20 in) per annum
-at least three nights below -20C (-4F) per annum
So, for example, Charlotte Pass is an Australian climate with a real winter. It's not a city, though, and has no permanent residents.
Canberra would be the closes of a major city.
By your definition New York City doesn't have a "real winter" since there is no month that has a mean temperature below 32F and NYC last hit -4F, I believe, in 1934. Clearly NYC is a winter city.
Wow. Well I'd love for you all to tell everyone in the UK that they don't get a winter lol...
People saying it isn't relative & you must get X mean temperature & X amount of snow to class as having a "winter", well it IS relative & that is your own personal perceived image of what "winter" should be, not actually what winter is. Winter is simply the coolest season, it does NOT have to have freezing temperatures & feet of snow Just as summer does not have to have average temperatures over 80F & weeks of 90F+ temperatures...
NYC has average winter highs of 5C, sunny weather, and a largely inconsistent snowpack. Temps can frequently rise to 10 or even 15C in the midst of winter. That's not particularly wintry if you ask me. But yeah, there are rare exceptions to those rules I stated. For example, I think that Akita is quite wintry despite not meeting two of those conditions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flamingGalah!
People saying it isn't relative & you must get X mean temperature & X amount of snow to class as having a "winter", well it IS relative & that is your own personal perceived image of what "winter" should be, not actually what winter is. Winter is simply the coolest season, it does NOT have to have freezing temperatures & feet of snow
This question pertains to what we feel is a REAL winter, not just any winter. Hence it is open to opinion. It is your opinion that a real winter is simply a cooler season, and it is my opinion that a real winter requires snow & cold.
By your definition New York City doesn't have a "real winter" since there is no month that has a mean temperature below 32F and NYC last hit -4F, I believe, in 1934. Clearly NYC is a winter city.
NYC is a winter city? Give me a break. It doesn't even see consistent snow pack and the average highs are in the 40s for most of the winter. Winnipeg is a winter city, not NYC.
NYC has average winter highs of 5C, sunny weather, and a largely inconsistent snowpack. Temps can frequently rise to 10 or even 15C in the midst of winter. That's not particularly wintry if you ask me. But yeah, there are rare exceptions to those rules I stated. For example, I think that Akita is quite wintry despite not meeting two of those conditions.
This question pertains to what we feel is a REAL winter, not just any winter. Hence it is open to opinion. It is your opinion that a real winter is simply a cooler season, and it is my opinion that a real winter requires snow & cold.
So the UK has a pretend winter then? Or a proper "winter" & not ,in your opinion, a "real" winter?
Jeez...
Which points me back to the point I made about it being relative...
If a place does not have to spend millions on snowplows and snow removal equipment, and it doesn't have a plan in place to clear the streets, then it has a mild winter.
For people who live in milder climates, temperatures of 10c/50f seems cold, but to those who live in harsher climates it is mild. Last month (August) the nighttime low dropped to 49f in Denver, and we slept with the windows open enjoying the cool air.
For me "winter" relates to daylight length and sunshine. I can dress for temperature variabilities.
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Just as summer does not have to have average temperatures over 80F & weeks of 90F+ temperatures...
