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Is the Great Basin a desert as defined here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Basin_Desert
And according to that wiki article there are only four defined deserts in North America; The Great Basin Desert, Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert. But the thing is that there are places in WA that are just as dry or even drier than some portions of the Great Basin Desert. For instance Vantage, Wa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vantag...ington#Climate
Of course those photos could've been taken at different times of the year, altering the look of the landscape.
Here are some examples of some climates from the Great Basin.
Yes, the Great Basin is obviously a desert. Eastern WA is not a desert because evapotranspiration is too low, despite the low precipitation. Same reason the South Pole isn't a desert climate, but a ice cap climate.
Also I'm not saying that all of eastern WA should be labeled as a desert just the exceptionally dry areas. Here are some cities with less than 8 in of precipitation, from driest to wettest and their avg annual temp.
Obvioulsy some parts of the Great Basin are desert specifically the southern part, but in the north it doesn't seem any more "desert" than eastern WA, maybe the only thing is that their winters are sunnier, but that's about it.
Yes, the Great Basin is obviously a desert. Eastern WA is not a desert because evapotranspiration is too low, despite the low precipitation. Same reason the South Pole isn't a desert climate, but a ice cap climate.
I think a few of the driest parts of eastern WA are desert, just not named as such.
Like Albuquerque in New Mexico and the San Luis Valley in CO/NM
Winter temperatures are too cold to be included as being part of the
Chihuahuan Desert.
Arid areas of WA are not connected to the Great Basin but just as dry and warm,
I don't see much, if any, difference in evapotranspirstion rate.
In fact, Northern Nevada is much higher in elevation and has cooler lows.
I think a few of the driest parts of eastern WA are desert, just not named as such.
Like Albuquerque in New Mexico and the San Luis Valley in CO/NM
Winter temperatures are too cold to be included as being part of the
Chihuahuan Desert.
Arid areas of WA are not connected to the Great Basin but just as dry and warm,
I don't see much, if any, difference in evapotranspirstion rate.
In fact, Northern Nevada is much higher in elevation and has cooler lows.
Also are grass species supposed to be mostly absent in desert climates, when I think of desserts I think of mostly barren land with a couple bushes and other woody plants. To me grass is a sign of a steppe environment, and grass has a large presence in eastern washington and Northern nevada, it's not very dense, but it's still there.
Another Update, I found an even drier and hotter climate in WA at the Hanford Site it receives 6.14 in (156mm) and an annual average high of 66.39F (19.11C) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanford_Site#Climate
Location: João Pessoa,Brazil(The easternmost point of Americas)
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This place are similar to Central and Eastern Patagonia,they are just cold dry steppes imo.
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