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Everyone talking about greater aridity is forgetting about the ITCZ shift: there would be a much greater shift northwards, given a greater landmass at lower latitudes. Look at how far north the zone shifts in Asia, with all that land: almost to the 30N zones.
The US then bathes in tropical moisture, with plentiful rain to check whatever aridity is present (think: monsoonal India).
The tropical climate in the Continental US starts in Stuart, Florida which is 11km (6.8 miles) north of the 27th parallel north (Port St. Lucie which is just north of Stuart, falls just short of having a true tropical climate). So if you shifted 15 degrees south, basically anywhere south of the 42nd parallel north on the East Coast would have a tropical climate, and probably coastal cities close to it as well. So the tropical climate would probably start around Boston and then extend down to Key West. The main difference would be that Boston would have a borderline tropical climate similar to Stuart, whereas Key West would have more of an equatorial tropical climate with basically no seasonal differences.
Even though a comparison between places found about 15° to the south may give a general idea about what the climate of every location would be like, we should be careful on it, as the shape of the landmass has a very strong influence in how the new configuration would work; it’s far from being a linear transition.
For instance, Florida is mostly a peninsula, surrounded by hot waters. Boston at 27° would still be hit by significant cold air masses, so it would still be rather far from being tropical, but a fully warm subtropical place with very hot and damp summers, and mild winters. Think of Jacksonville with warmer winters (and slightly warmer summers).
Los Angeles and San Diego would be located at latitudes where currently dryish tropical savannah climates occur. However, under the new configuration, the California current would get enhanced and would not leave room to warm waters to cause significant summer rainfall.
How the climate works in other continents may help in approximating different variants that may occur. Think of South and East Asia and South America.
Even though a comparison between places found about 15° to the south may give a general idea about what the climate of every location would be like, we should be careful on it, as the shape of the landmass has a very strong influence in how the new configuration would work; it’s far from being a linear transition.
For instance, Florida is mostly a peninsula, surrounded by hot waters. Boston at 27° would still be hit by significant cold air masses, so it would still be rather far from being tropical, but a fully warm subtropical place with very hot and damp summers, and mild winters. Think of Jacksonville with warmer winters (and slightly warmer summers).
Los Angeles and San Diego would be located at latitudes where currently dryish tropical savannah climates occur. However, under the new configuration, the California current would get enhanced and would not leave room to warm waters to cause significant summer rainfall.
How the climate works in other continents may help in approximating different variants that may occur. Think of South and East Asia and South America.
BTW, speaking of shapes, would an example of landforms changing climates be some places not being as cool as they possibly could be because they curve away from the ocean?
Like, if a place is by the ocean, but it curves away from it, wouldn't the climate not be as mild as it should be?
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