The marine west coast climate is the climate zone that exists between 40° and 60° latitude at the western end of the continent in both hemispheres (northern and southern).
This climatic region is surrounded by a Mediterranean climate in the south, a continental dry climate in the east, and a semi-arctic climate in the north. The inland expansion of this climate is controlled by topographic features. For example, wherever the coast is paralleled by mountain ranges, this climate is found in a very narrow coastal belt.
Marine west coast climate is confined to the coastal strips along the western coasts of north and south Americas because of the Rockies and Andes.
This type of climate is usually found on the western edge of the continents. A marine west coast climate, also called an oceanic climate, is the main climate type of the Koppen classification characterized by an equable climate with few temperature extremes and abundant rainfall in all months (1).
Characteristics
- The main features of this place are the climate of humid, mild, cool, and subtropical type.
- Westerly winds blow regularly from sea to land. Therefore, the temperature of the marine climate region of the western edge of the mid-latitude continent is temperate.
- Summer temperatures are mild throughout this climate zone.
- The temperature in this climate region is slightly lower than the normal temperature during summer. The average temperature of the warmest month is between 15°C to 19°C.
- As the sky is overcast and the air contains more water, the temperature does not drop much at night.
- The daily maximum and minimum temperature variation in summer in this climate zone is not more than 10 to 11°C. Somewhere in this climate region during the summer, very hot temperatures can occur, sometimes for several days.
- When the ongoing high pressure moves over these regions, the daytime temperature can rise to 35 to 38°C as the sky is cloudless.
- Sometimes the wind blows from the land towards the sea, such warm weather can also occur.
- Although the average winter temperature in this climate zone is above freezing, the air temperature can sometimes drop below freezing at night.
- Rainfall occurs throughout the year in this climate, this is variation in the seasonal distribution of rainfall. For example, on the windward slope of the coastal highlands, rainfall is slightly higher in winter than in the warmer months of the year.
- The low plains of this climate region receive rainfall mainly under the influence of depressions and their associated air front. During autumn and winter, low-pressure precipitation is more frequent and the sky is very cloudy during this time.
- During summer the number of ongoing depressions decreases and their type also becomes weaker (1) & (2).
Geographical distribution
This climate is observed in the western part of the continents between 40°- 60° latitude in the northern and southern hemispheres. The region extends from the northern part of California in the United States to the middle of British Columbia in Canada. Great Britain, Western Europe, the southern part of New Zealand, Tasmania in Australia, and the southern part of Chile also belong to this climate (5).
Special characteristics of flora and fauna
Flora of Marine west coast climate
Pine, spruce, redwoods, cedar, oak, cypress, hemlock, Douglas fir juniper, larch, California redwood, many types of grass and fern etc. found in this climate. Sequoioideae, Dicranoweisia, cirrhata, wildflowers, etc. are also found in this region.
Characteristics of flora
- Marine west coast climate receives a high amount of rain that grows thick forests.
- Conifer-type plants are mainly found in this region.
- Evergreen forests are noticed in marine west coast climate.
- Leaves of some plants often look like needles.
- A waxy coating is present in the leaves. That is because of losing water.
- The forest has a variety of trees, including evergreens, pines, and oaks.
- Rainwater does not fall to the ground due to the thick forest. So the soil is not easily eroded.
- Here several species of trees can be seen standing side by side.
- Trees do not have specific seasons for flowering or fruiting.
- The leaves of trees in these regions are broadleaf.
Fauna of Marine West Coast Climate
Wolves, rabbits, deer, elk, American sparrow, hummingbird, gulls, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea otters, polar bears, kangaroo, Australian shepherds, cassowaries, owls, has, salmon and raccoons, etc. are found in marine west coast climate.
Characteristics of fauna
- Various species of animals live here, so day and night activity can always be observed among the animals.
- One of the characteristics of the animals here is that they adapt over time to the changing seasons (summer, spring, winter, and autumn).
- The fur of rabbits in this region ranges from brown to white. So that they can hide themselves in the snow from predators.
- Different types of bird gatherings can be observed here depending on the season. They adapt themselves to this climate.
- The southern part of the highlands of Chile and the southern part of New Zealand receive significant amounts of snow during the winter. So the animals of all these regions have adapted their bodies to live there (1) & (4).
Some interesting facts about marine West Coast climate
- This climate is observed in all regions between 40° and 60° latitude of two hemispheres (northern and southern).
- The main features of this place are humid, cool, and mild climate. The average temperature in summer is 15°C and in winter 2-5°C.
- Rainfall occurs almost all year round under the influence of the western wind coming over the sea. The annual average rainfall here is 50 to 250 cm.
- Snowfall occasionally in winter. But the amount of snowfall is not much, usually, all the snow melts within a day or two of snowfall.
- Marine west coast climate is foggy in winter and dominated by winter cyclones and border rainfall.
- This climate zone is influenced by the sea.
- Some places in this climate region can have very warm temperatures for a few days during summer. During this time the temperature can rise to 35 to 38°C as the sky is cloudless.
- The average temperature of the hottest month is 15 to 19°C everywhere in this climate zone.
- In this climate, the specific humidity or absolute humidity of the air is high during summer.
- The marine west coast climatic zone has more cloud cover but less rainfall.
- Various species of flora and fauna can be observed in this fascinating climatic zone.
- In these climate zones, the winter isotherms parallel to the coast and the temperature decreases inland from the coast.
- Variations in rainfall distribution occur due to topography in the marine west coast climate (1) & (3).
Q&A
1. What is the climate of the West Coast?
The climate of the West Coast is mild, which means mild summers and winters and heavy annual precipitation.
2. What is the climate code for the Marine West Coast?
Cfb is the climate code for the marine west coast.
3. What type of climate is in the Marine?
The marine climate is the temperate climate.
4. What is the difference between the marine west coast climate and the Mediterranean climate?
- The temperature of the marine west coast climate is mild throughout the year. On the other hand, the temperature of the Mediterranean climate zone is higher than the temperature of the marine west coast climate.
- Annual rainfall is high in marine west coast climate. However, the annual rainfall in the Mediterranean climate is less than the west coast climate.
Reference
- Savindra Singh. Climatology. Pravalika Publications, Allahabad. Chapter 14: Climatic types and biomes. Page No: 329 to 334.
Written By: Manisha Bharati
