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Wikipedia

Mediterranean climate

A Mediterranean climate (/ˌmɛdɪtəˈrniən/ MED-ih-tə-RAY-nee-ən), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen as Cs, is a climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude), characterized by warm to hot, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the majority of Mediterranean-climate regions and countries, but remain highly dependent on proximity to the ocean, altitude and geographical location.

Regions with Mediterranean climates
  Hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa)
  Warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb)

The dry summer climate is found throughout the warmer middle latitudes, affecting almost exclusively the western portions of continents in relative proximity to the coast. The climate type's name is in reference to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea, which mostly share this type of climate, but it can also be found in the Atlantic portions of Iberia and Northwest Africa, the Pacific portions of the United States and Chile, areas around Cape Town, South Africa, parts of Southwest and South Australia and parts of Central Asia.

Mediterranean climate zones are typically located along the western coasts of landmasses, between roughly 30 and 45 degrees north or south of the equator. The main cause of Mediterranean, or dry summer, climate is the subtropical ridge, extending towards the hemisphere in question’s pole during the summer and migrating towards the equator during the winter. This is due to the seasonal poleward-equatorward variations of temperatures.[1]

The resulting vegetation of Mediterranean climates are the garrigue or maquis in the European Mediterranean Basin, the chaparral in California, the fynbos in South Africa, the mallee in Australia, and the matorral in Chile. Areas with this climate are also where the so-called "Mediterranean trinity" of major agricultural crops have traditionally been successfully grown (wheat, grapes and olives). As a result, these regions are notable for their high-quality wines, grapeseed/olive oils, and bread products.[2]

Most of the historically-iconic cities and regions of the Mediterranean Basin lie within the Mediterranean climatic zone, including Algiers, Athens, Barcelona, Beirut, İzmir, Jerusalem, Marseille, Monaco, Naples, Rome, Tunis, Valencia, and Valletta. Locations with Mediterranean climates outside of the Mediterranean Basin include Adelaide, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dushanbe, Lisbon, Los Angeles, Perth, Porto, San Diego, San Francisco, Santiago, Tashkent and Victoria.[3]

Köppen climate classification

 
Continental Portugal has a clear contrast between the cool to warm (Csb) and hot (Csa) summers.

Under the Köppen climate classification, "hot dry-summer" climates (classified as Csa) and "cool dry-summer" climates (classified as Csb) are often referred to as just "Mediterranean". Under the Köppen climate system, the first letter indicates the climate group (in this case temperate climates). Temperate climates or "C" zones average temperature above 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)), but below 18 °C (64 °F), in their coolest months. The second letter indicates the precipitation pattern ("s" represents dry summers). Köppen has defined a dry summer month as a month with less than 30 mm (1.2 in) of precipitation and as a month within the high-sun months of April to September, in the case of the Northern Hemisphere and October to March, in the case of the Southern Hemisphere, and it also must contain exactly or less than one-third that of the wettest winter month. Some, however, use a 40 mm (1.6 in) level.[4][5] The third letter indicates the degree of summer heat: "a" represents an average temperature in the warmest month above 22 °C (72 °F), while "b" indicates the average temperature in the warmest month below 22 °C (72 °F). There is a "c" with 3 or less months' average temperature above 10 °C (50 °F), but this climate is rare and is very isolated.

Under the Köppen classification, dry-summer climates (Csa, Csb) usually occur on the western sides of continents. Csb zones in the Köppen system include areas normally not associated with Mediterranean climates but with Oceanic climates, such as much of the Pacific Northwest, much of southern Chile, parts of west-central Argentina, and parts of New Zealand.[6] Additional highland areas in the subtropics also meet Cs requirements, though they, too, are not normally associated with Mediterranean climates. The same goes for a number of oceanic islands such as Madeira, the Juan Fernández Islands, the western part of the Canary Islands, and the eastern part of the Azores.

Under Trewartha's modified Köppen climate classification, the two major requirements for a Cs climate are revised. Under Trewartha's system, at least eight months must have average temperatures of 10 °C (50 °F) or higher (subtropical), and the average annual precipitation must not exceed 900 mm (35 in), as well as satisfying Köppen's precipitation requirements.

Under the Holdridge life zones classification, the Mediterranean climates can be either temperate or subtropical climates. They are frequently found within the Warm Temperate region as defined by Leslie Holdridge with a mean annual biotemperature between 12 °C (54 °F) and the frost line or critical temperature line, 16 to 18 °C (61 to 64 °F) (depending on locations in the world[7] but often "simplified" as 17 °C (63 °F) (= 2(log212+0;5) ≈ 16.97 °C (62.55 °F))[8]). Biotemperature is based on the growing season length and temperature. It is measured as the mean of all temperatures, with all temperatures below freezing and above 30 °C (86 °F) adjusted to 0 °C,[9] as plants are normally dormant at these temperatures. The frost line separates the warm temperate region from the subtropical region. It represents the dividing line between two major physiological groups of evolved plants. On the warmer side of the line, the majority of the plants are sensitive in low temperatures. They can be killed back by frosts as they have not evolved to withstand periods of cold. On the colder temperate side of the line, the total flora is adapted to survive periods of variable lengths of low temperatures, whether as seeds in the case of the annuals or as perennial plants which can withstand the cold. Only the warmest Mediterranean climates with a biotemperature between 16 °C (61 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F) and 24 °C (75 °F) are classified as subtropical climates in the Holdridge classification.

Precipitation

[Chile] has six, months of winter, no more, and in them, except when there is a quarter moon when it rains one or two days, all the other days have such beautiful suns...

During summer, regions of the Mediterranean climate are strongly influenced by the subtropical ridge which keeps atmospheric conditions very dry with minimal cloud coverage. In some areas, such as coastal California, the cold current has a stabilizing effect on the surrounding air, further reducing the chances for rain, but often causing thick layers of marine fog that usually evaporates by mid-day. Similar to desert climates, in many Mediterranean climates there is a strong diurnal character to daily temperatures in the warm summer months due to strong solar heating during the day from sunlight and rapid cooling at night.

In winter, the subtropical ridge migrates towards the equator and leaves the area, making rainfall much more likely. As a result, areas with this climate receive almost all of their precipitation during their winter and spring seasons, and may go anywhere from four to six months during the summer and early fall without having any significant precipitation. In the lower latitudes, precipitation usually decreases in both the winter and summer due to higher evapotranspiration. Toward the polar latitudes, total moisture usually increases; for instance, the Mediterranean climate in Southern Europe has more rain. The rainfall also tends to be more evenly distributed throughout the year in Southern Europe, while in places such as the Eastern Mediterranean, or in Southern California, the summer is nearly or completely dry. In places where evapotranspiration is higher, steppe climates tend to prevail, but still follow the basic pattern of the Mediterranean climates.

Temperature

 
Aegean Sea of Ölüdeniz, Turkey

The majority of the regions with Mediterranean climates have relatively mild winters and very warm summers. However, winter and summer temperatures can vary greatly between different regions with a Mediterranean climate. For instance, in the case of winters, Los Angeles experiences mild to warm temperatures in the winter, with frost and snowfall almost unknown, whereas Tashkent has cold winters with annual frosts and snowfall seen in the winter; or, to consider summer, Seville experiences rather high temperatures in that season. In contrast, San Francisco has cool summers with daily highs around 21 °C (70 °F) due to the continuous upwelling of cold subsurface waters along the coast.

Because most regions with a Mediterranean climate are near large bodies of water, temperatures are generally moderate, with a comparatively small range of temperatures between the winter low and summer high unlike dry-summer humid continental climates (although the daily diurnal range of temperature during the summer is large due to dry and clear conditions, except along the immediate coastlines). Temperatures during winter only occasionally fall below the freezing point and snow is generally seldom seen. Summer temperatures can be cool to very hot, depending on the distance from a large body of water, elevation, and latitude, among other factors. Strong winds from inland desert regions can sometimes boost summer temperatures up, quickly increasing the risk of wildfires. Notable exceptions to the usual proximity from bodies of water, thus featuring extremely high summer temperatures and cooler winters, include south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq (Urfa, Erbil), surrounded by hot deserts to the south and mountains to the north. Those places routinely experience summer daily means of over 30 °C (86 °F), while receiving enough rainfall in winter not to fall into arid or semi-arid classifications.

As in every climatologic domain, the highland locations of the Mediterranean domain can present cooler temperatures in the summer and winter than the lowland areas, temperatures which can sometimes prohibit the growth of typical cold-sensitive Mediterranean plants. Some Spanish authors opt in to use the term Continental Mediterranean Climate for some regions with lower temperatures in winter than the coastal areas[10] (direct translation from Clima Mediterráneo Continentalizado), but most climate classifications (including Köppen's Cs zones) show no distinction as long as winter temperature means stay above freezing.

Additionally, the temperature and rainfall pattern for a Csa or even a Csb climate can exist as a microclimate in some high-altitude locations adjacent to a rare tropical As (tropical savanna climate with dry summers, typically in a rainshadow region, as in Hawaii). These have a favourable climate, with mild wet winters and fairly warm, dry summers.

Mediterranean biome

 
The Ionian Sea, view from the island Lefkada, Greece
 
Makarska in Dalmatia, Croatia
 
The coastal Mediterranean region of Costa Brava, Catalonia, Spain

The Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome is closely associated with Mediterranean climate zones, as are unique freshwater communities, though vegetation native to the Mediterranean climate zone can also be found in the approximate nearby climate zones, which usually tend to be the humid subtropical, oceanic and/or semi-arid zones, depending on the region and location. Particularly distinctive of the climate are sclerophyll shrublands, called maquis in the Mediterranean Basin, chaparral in California, matorral in Chile, fynbos in South Africa, and mallee and kwongan shrublands in Australia.

Aquatic communities in Mediterranean climate regions are adapted to a yearly cycle in which abiotic (environmental) controls of stream populations and community structure dominate during floods, biotic components (e.g. competition and predation) controls become increasingly important as the flood discharge declines, and environmental controls regain dominance as environmental conditions become very harsh (i.e. hot and dry); as a result, these communities are well suited to recover from droughts, floods, and fires.[11] Aquatic organisms in these regions show distinct long-term patterns in their structure and function,[3] and are also highly sensitive to the recent effects of climate change.[1][2]

Natural vegetation

The native vegetation of Mediterranean climate lands must be adapted to survive long, hot summer droughts in summer and prolonged wet periods in winter. Mediterranean vegetation examples include the following:[12]

Many native vegetations in Mediterranean climate area valleys have been cleared for agriculture and farming. In places such as the Sacramento Valley and Oxnard Plain in California, draining marshes and estuaries combined with supplemental irrigation has led to a century of intensive agriculture. Much of the Overberg in the southern Cape of South Africa, was once covered with renosterveld, but has likewise been largely converted to agriculture, mainly for wheat. In hillside and mountainous areas, away from the urban sprawls, ecosystems and habitats of native vegetation are more sustained and undisturbed.

The fynbos vegetation in the South-western Cape in South Africa is famed for its high floral diversity, and includes such plant types as members of the Restionaceae, Ericas (Heaths) and Proteas. Representatives of the Proteaceae also grow in Australia, such as Banksias. The palette of California native plants is also renowned for its species and cultivar diversity.

Hot-summer Mediterranean climate

 
  Hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa)

This subtype of the Mediterranean climate (Csa) is the most common form of the Mediterranean climate, therefore it is also known as a "typical Mediterranean climate". As stated earlier, regions with this form of a Mediterranean climate experience average monthly temperatures in excess of 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) during its warmest month and an average in the coldest month between 18 and −3 °C (64 and 27 °F) or, in some applications, between 18 and 0 °C (64 and 32 °F). Also, at least four months must average above 10 °C (50 °F) to avoid becoming a cold mediterranean subtype. Regions with this form of the Mediterranean climate typically experience hot, sometimes very hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters. In a number of instances, summers here can closely resemble summers seen in arid and semi-arid climates and be close to the thresholds for them. However, high temperatures during summers are generally not quite as high as those in arid or semiarid climates due to the presence of a large body of water nearby. All areas with this subtype have wet mild winters. However, some areas with a hot Mediterranean subtype can actually experience very chilly winters, with occasional snowfall.

Csa climates are mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea, southern Australia, southwestern South Africa, sections of Central Asia, northern sections of Iran and Iraq, the interior of northern California west of the Sierra Nevada, along the Wasatch Front in Utah, and inland areas of southern Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains. Southern California's coasts also experience hot summers due to the shielding effect of the Channel Islands. However, unshielded areas of that coastline can have warm-summer Mediterranean climates with hot-summer areas just a few kilometres inland.

Valencia, Spain
Climate chart (explanation)
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37
 
 
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19
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21
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39
 
 
23
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22
 
 
27
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30
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20
 
 
30
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70
 
 
28
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77
 
 
24
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47
 
 
20
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48
 
 
17
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[13]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.5
 
 
62
45
 
 
1.4
 
 
63
46
 
 
1.3
 
 
67
49
 
 
1.5
 
 
69
53
 
 
1.5
 
 
74
58
 
 
0.9
 
 
81
65
 
 
0.3
 
 
85
71
 
 
0.8
 
 
86
71
 
 
2.8
 
 
82
66
 
 
3
 
 
76
59
 
 
1.9
 
 
68
51
 
 
1.9
 
 
63
47
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Los Angeles, United States
Climate chart (explanation)
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79
 
 
20
9
 
 
97
 
 
20
10
 
 
62
 
 
21
11
 
 
23
 
 
23
12
 
 
6.6
 
 
24
14
 
 
2.3
 
 
26
16
 
 
0.3
 
 
28
18
 
 
1
 
 
29
18
 
 
6.1
 
 
28
17
 
 
17
 
 
26
15
 
 
26
 
 
23
11
 
 
59
 
 
20
9
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: NOAA [1]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3.1
 
 
68
48
 
 
3.8
 
 
69
49
 
 
2.4
 
 
70
51
 
 
0.9
 
 
73
53
 
 
0.3
 
 
74
57
 
 
0.1
 
 
78
60
 
 
0
 
 
83
64
 
 
0
 
 
84
64
 
 
0.2
 
 
83
63
 
 
0.7
 
 
78
59
 
 
1
 
 
73
52
 
 
2.3
 
 
68
47
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Perth, Australia
Climate chart (explanation)
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9.5
 
 
31
18
 
 
13
 
 
31
18
 
 
19
 
 
30
16
 
 
44
 
 
26
14
 
 
118
 
 
22
11
 
 
177
 
 
19
9
 
 
170
 
 
18
8
 
 
134
 
 
19
8
 
 
81
 
 
20
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52
 
 
23
11
 
 
22
 
 
26
14
 
 
13
 
 
29
16
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: BoM[14]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.4
 
 
87
64
 
 
0.5
 
 
88
64
 
 
0.8
 
 
85
62
 
 
1.7
 
 
78
56
 
 
4.6
 
 
72
51
 
 
7
 
 
67
47
 
 
6.7
 
 
65
46
 
 
5.3
 
 
66
46
 
 
3.2
 
 
68
49
 
 
2.1
 
 
73
52
 
 
0.9
 
 
79
57
 
 
0.5
 
 
84
61
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Warm-summer Mediterranean climate

 
  Warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb)

Occasionally also termed the "Cool-summer Mediterranean climate", this subtype of the Mediterranean climate (Csb) is less common and experience warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 22 °C (72 °F) during its warmest month and as usual an average in the coldest month between 18 and −3 °C (64 and 27 °F) or,[citation needed] in some applications, between 18 and 0 °C (64 and 32 °F).[citation needed]

Also, at least four months must average above 10 °C (50 °F) once again.

Cool ocean currents, upwelling and higher latitudes are often the reason for this cooler type of Mediterranean climate. This is why it rarely occurs on the Mediterranean Sea shores, as it is a warm sea and is subtropical, from 3 to 6 °C above the theoric value according to Jean Demangeot.[15]

The other main reason for this cooler type is the altitude. For instance, Menton on the French coast has a Csa climate while Castellar, Alpes-Maritimes, the adjacent town just north of Menton, with an altitude between 100 and 1,382 m (328 and 4,534 ft), has a Csb climate instead.[16]

Winters are rainy and can be mild to chilly. In some instances, snow can fall on these areas.

Precipitation occurs often in the colder seasons, but there are a number of clear sunny days even during the wetter seasons.

Csb climates are found in northwestern Iberian Peninsula (namely Galicia and the Norte region and west coast of Portugal), in coastal California, in the Pacific Northwest (namely western Washington, western Oregon and southern portions of Vancouver Island in British Columbia),[17][18][19][20][21] in central Chile, in parts of southern Australia and in sections of southwestern South Africa. A few locations close to the south coast of England such as Weymouth and Portland just scrape into this climate classification due to very low rainfall in July. A trend towards slightly drier summers during the 1971-2000 climate average period, meant that this classification previously extended slightly further to include a few other weather stations in southern England, such as Bognor Regis and Teignmouth.[22] Rarer instances of this climate can be found in relatively small and isolated high altitude areas of the Andes in Northern Ecuador, Colombia, and Western Venezuela.

Porto, Portugal
Climate chart (explanation)
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90
 
 
17
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116
 
 
18
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98
 
 
20
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46
 
 
24
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18
 
 
25
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27
 
 
26
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71
 
 
24
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138
 
 
21
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158
 
 
17
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195
 
 
14
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Instituto de Meteorologia[23]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
6.2
 
 
57
41
 
 
5.5
 
 
59
43
 
 
3.5
 
 
63
46
 
 
4.6
 
 
65
48
 
 
3.8
 
 
68
53
 
 
1.8
 
 
74
58
 
 
0.7
 
 
78
61
 
 
1.1
 
 
78
61
 
 
2.8
 
 
75
58
 
 
5.4
 
 
69
54
 
 
6.2
 
 
63
48
 
 
7.7
 
 
58
44
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Victoria, Canada
Climate chart (explanation)
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94
 
 
7
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72
 
 
9
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47
 
 
11
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29
 
 
13
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26
 
 
16
8
 
 
21
 
 
18
10
 
 
14
 
 
20
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20
 
 
20
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27
 
 
19
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51
 
 
14
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99
 
 
9
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109
 
 
7
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Environment Canada[24]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3.7
 
 
45
37
 
 
2.8
 
 
47
39
 
 
1.8
 
 
51
40
 
 
1.1
 
 
56
43
 
 
1
 
 
61
47
 
 
0.8
 
 
64
50
 
 
0.6
 
 
68
52
 
 
0.8
 
 
68
53
 
 
1.1
 
 
65
51
 
 
2
 
 
57
46
 
 
3.9
 
 
49
41
 
 
4.3
 
 
45
38
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Cape Town, South Africa
Climate chart (explanation)
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25
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41
 
 
23
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69
 
 
20
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93
 
 
18
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82
 
 
18
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77
 
 
18
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40
 
 
19
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30
 
 
21
11
 
 
14
 
 
24
13
 
 
17
 
 
25
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO[25]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.6
 
 
79
60
 
 
0.7
 
 
80
60
 
 
0.8
 
 
78
58
 
 
1.6
 
 
73
53
 
 
2.7
 
 
69
49
 
 
3.7
 
 
65
46
 
 
3.2
 
 
64
45
 
 
3
 
 
64
46
 
 
1.6
 
 
67
48
 
 
1.2
 
 
70
51
 
 
0.6
 
 
74
56
 
 
0.7
 
 
77
59
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Cold-summer Mediterranean climate

 
Distribution of the relatively rare cold-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen type Csc) in Washington, Oregon and California

The cold-summer subtype of the Mediterranean climate (Csc) is rare and predominately found at scattered high-altitude locations along the west coasts of North and South America having a similar climate.[citation needed] This type is characterized by cool, dry summers, with less than four months with a mean temperature at or above 10 °C (50 °F), as well as with cool, wet winters, with no winter month having a mean temperature below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C [27 °F]), depending on the isotherm used).[citation needed] Regions with this climate are influenced by the dry-summer trend (though briefly) that extends considerably poleward along the west coast of the Americas, as well as the moderating influences of high altitude and relative proximity to the Pacific Ocean. These conditions maintain an unusually narrow temperature range through the year for climate zones at such distances from coasts.

In North America, areas with Csc climate can be found in the Olympic, Cascade, Klamath, and Sierra Nevada ranges in Washington, Oregon and California. These locations are found at high altitude nearby lower altitude regions characterized by a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) or hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa). A rare instance of this climate occurs in the tropics, on Haleakalā Summit in Hawaii.

In South America, Csc regions can be found along the Andes in Chile and Argentina. The town of Balmaceda, Chile is one of the few towns confirmed to have this climate.

Small areas with a Csc climate can be found at high elevations in Corsica.[11]

In Norway, the small fishing village of Røst above the Arctic Circle has a climate bordering on Csc and is known as a "climatic anomaly" due to abnormally warm temperatures despite its latitude located above 67°N latitude.[citation needed]

Balmaceda, Chile
Climate chart (explanation)
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16
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54
 
 
12
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93
 
 
8
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85
 
 
4
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84
 
 
4
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72
 
 
6
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49
 
 
9
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30
 
 
13
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28
 
 
15
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32
 
 
16
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: DMC[26] infochile[27]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.1
 
 
64
44
 
 
0.8
 
 
64
43
 
 
1.5
 
 
60
40
 
 
2.1
 
 
53
37
 
 
3.6
 
 
46
33
 
 
3.4
 
 
40
28
 
 
3.3
 
 
38
27
 
 
2.8
 
 
43
30
 
 
1.9
 
 
49
32
 
 
1.2
 
 
55
36
 
 
1.1
 
 
58
40
 
 
1.2
 
 
62
42
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Haleakala Summit, United States
Climate chart (explanation)
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203
 
 
7
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91
 
 
10
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78
 
 
11
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102
 
 
11
3
 
 
34
 
 
13
4
 
 
9.4
 
 
15
6
 
 
12
 
 
14
5
 
 
28
 
 
15
6
 
 
40
 
 
14
6
 
 
34
 
 
14
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104
 
 
10
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119
 
 
6
0
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: The Western Regional Climate Center[28]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
8
 
 
45
34
 
 
3.6
 
 
50
36
 
 
3.1
 
 
51
37
 
 
4
 
 
52
37
 
 
1.4
 
 
55
39
 
 
0.4
 
 
58
42
 
 
0.5
 
 
58
42
 
 
1.1
 
 
58
42
 
 
1.6
 
 
58
42
 
 
1.3
 
 
57
41
 
 
4.1
 
 
51
38
 
 
4.7
 
 
43
32
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Liawenee, Tasmania
Climate chart (explanation)
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O
N
D
 
 
49
 
 
19
5
 
 
37
 
 
18
5
 
 
65
 
 
16
4
 
 
66
 
 
12
2
 
 
89
 
 
9
0
 
 
104
 
 
7
−1
 
 
120
 
 
6
−2
 
 
129
 
 
7
−1
 
 
111
 
 
9
−1
 
 
69
 
 
12
1
 
 
64
 
 
15
3
 
 
59
 
 
17
4
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Bureau of Meteorology[29]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.9
 
 
66
42
 
 
1.5
 
 
65
41
 
 
2.5
 
 
61
39
 
 
2.6
 
 
54
35
 
 
3.5
 
 
48
32
 
 
4.1
 
 
44
30
 
 
4.7
 
 
42
29
 
 
5.1
 
 
44
30
 
 
4.4
 
 
48
31
 
 
2.7
 
 
54
33
 
 
2.5
 
 
59
37
 
 
2.3
 
 
62
39
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

References

  1. ^ a b Lawrence, J.E.; K.B. Lunde; R.D. Mazor; L.A. Bêche; E.P. McElravy; V.H. Resh (2010). "Long-Term Macroinvertebrate Responses to Climate Change: Implications for Biological Assessment in Mediterranean-Climate Streams". Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 29 (4): 1424–1440. doi:10.1899/09-178.1. S2CID 84679634.
  2. ^ a b Filipe, A.F.; J.E. Lawrence; N. Bonada (November 2013). "Vulnerability of Biota in Mediterranean Streams to Climate Change: A Synthesis of Ecological Responses and Conservation Challenges". Hydrobiologia. 719: 331–351. doi:10.1007/s10750-012-1244-4. hdl:2445/48186. S2CID 17658477.
  3. ^ a b Resh, V.H.; L.A. Bêche; J.E. Lawrence; R.D. Mazor; E.P. McElravy; A.H. Purcell; S.M. Carlson (2013). "Long-term Population and Community Patterns of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Northern California Mediterranean-climate Streams". Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 719: 93–118. doi:10.1007/s10750-012-1373-9. S2CID 186919.
  4. ^ Kottek, Markus; Grieser, Jürgen; Beck, Christoph; Rudolf, Bruno; Rube, Franz (June 2006). "World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated" (PDF). Meteorologische Zeitschrift. 15 (3): 259–263. Bibcode:2006MetZe..15..259K. doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130. (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  5. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 4 (2): 439–473. doi:10.5194/hessd-4-439-2007. (PDF) from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  6. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification". Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 11 (5): 1633–1644. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  7. ^ "LIFE ZONE ECOLOGY by L. R. Holdridge" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  8. ^ "The climate of Carpathian Region in the 20th century based on the original and modified Holdridge life zone system".
  9. ^ Lugo, A. E. (1999). "The Holdridge life zones of the conterminous United States in relation to ecosystem mapping". Journal of Biogeography. 26 (5): 1025–1038. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.1999.00329.x. S2CID 11733879. (PDF) from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  10. ^ "España a Través de los Mapas". www.ign.es. from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  11. ^ a b Gasith, A. and V.H. Resh (1999). "Streams in Mediterranean Climate Regions: Abiotic Influences and Biotic Responses to Predictable Seasonal Events". Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 30: 51–81. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.30.1.51.
  12. ^ Dallman, Peter (1998). . Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520208094. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  13. ^ "Valores climatológicos normales: Valencia - Agencia Estatal de Meteorología - AEMET. Gobierno de España". www.aemet.es.
  14. ^ "Perth Monthly climate statistics". Australia Bureau of Meteorology. from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Climat Castellar: Température de l'EAU à, Température moyenne Castellar, Pluviométrie, diagramme ombrothermique pour Castellar - Climate-Data.org". from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  17. ^ "The Warm Land: 5 must-do activities at this hidden B.C. gem". from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Explore Southern Vancouver Island's small communities". 8 July 2016. from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  19. ^ "mediterranean+climate" Nature Canada. 1994.
  20. ^ Institute, Royal Canadian (1949). "mediterranean+climate" Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute.
  21. ^ "mediterranean+climate"&pg=PA36 Cincinnati Magazine. June 1980.
  22. ^ "UK climate averages".
  23. ^ "Monthly Averages for Porto, Portugal". Instituto de Meteorologia. from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  24. ^ "Victoria Gonzales HTS, British Columbia". Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000 (in English and French). Environment Canada. 19 January 2011. from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  25. ^ "Weather Information for Cape Town". World Weather Information Service. from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  26. ^ (PDF). Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  27. ^ "Datos climatológicos Chile Sur". Atmosfera.cl. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012.
  28. ^ "Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information". Western Regional Climate Center. from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  29. ^ "Climate statistics for Australian locations". Australian Government – Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 20 July 2022.

External links

  Media related to Mediterranean climate at Wikimedia Commons

    mediterranean, climate, influence, viticulture, wine, climate, specifically, mediterranean, climate, mediterranean, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this. For the influence of Mediterranean climates on viticulture see Mediterranean climate wine For the climate specifically of the Mediterranean Sea see Climate of the Mediterranean Sea This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Mediterranean climate news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message A Mediterranean climate ˌ m ɛ d ɪ t e ˈ r eɪ n i en MED ih te RAY nee en also called a dry summer climate described by Koppen as Cs is a climate type that occurs in the lower mid latitudes normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude characterized by warm to hot dry summers and mild fairly wet winters these weather conditions are typically experienced in the majority of Mediterranean climate regions and countries but remain highly dependent on proximity to the ocean altitude and geographical location Regions with Mediterranean climates Hot summer mediterranean climate Csa Warm summer mediterranean climate Csb The dry summer climate is found throughout the warmer middle latitudes affecting almost exclusively the western portions of continents in relative proximity to the coast The climate type s name is in reference to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea which mostly share this type of climate but it can also be found in the Atlantic portions of Iberia and Northwest Africa the Pacific portions of the United States and Chile areas around Cape Town South Africa parts of Southwest and South Australia and parts of Central Asia Mediterranean climate zones are typically located along the western coasts of landmasses between roughly 30 and 45 degrees north or south of the equator The main cause of Mediterranean or dry summer climate is the subtropical ridge extending towards the hemisphere in question s pole during the summer and migrating towards the equator during the winter This is due to the seasonal poleward equatorward variations of temperatures 1 The resulting vegetation of Mediterranean climates are the garrigue or maquis in the European Mediterranean Basin the chaparral in California the fynbos in South Africa the mallee in Australia and the matorral in Chile Areas with this climate are also where the so called Mediterranean trinity of major agricultural crops have traditionally been successfully grown wheat grapes and olives As a result these regions are notable for their high quality wines grapeseed olive oils and bread products 2 Most of the historically iconic cities and regions of the Mediterranean Basin lie within the Mediterranean climatic zone including Algiers Athens Barcelona Beirut Izmir Jerusalem Marseille Monaco Naples Rome Tunis Valencia and Valletta Locations with Mediterranean climates outside of the Mediterranean Basin include Adelaide Cape Town Casablanca Dushanbe Lisbon Los Angeles Perth Porto San Diego San Francisco Santiago Tashkent and Victoria 3 Contents 1 Koppen climate classification 2 Precipitation 3 Temperature 4 Mediterranean biome 4 1 Natural vegetation 5 Hot summer Mediterranean climate 6 Warm summer Mediterranean climate 7 Cold summer Mediterranean climate 8 References 9 External linksKoppen climate classification Edit Continental Portugal has a clear contrast between the cool to warm Csb and hot Csa summers Under the Koppen climate classification hot dry summer climates classified as Csa and cool dry summer climates classified as Csb are often referred to as just Mediterranean Under the Koppen climate system the first letter indicates the climate group in this case temperate climates Temperate climates or C zones average temperature above 0 C 32 F or 3 C 27 F but below 18 C 64 F in their coolest months The second letter indicates the precipitation pattern s represents dry summers Koppen has defined a dry summer month as a month with less than 30 mm 1 2 in of precipitation and as a month within the high sun months of April to September in the case of the Northern Hemisphere and October to March in the case of the Southern Hemisphere and it also must contain exactly or less than one third that of the wettest winter month Some however use a 40 mm 1 6 in level 4 5 The third letter indicates the degree of summer heat a represents an average temperature in the warmest month above 22 C 72 F while b indicates the average temperature in the warmest month below 22 C 72 F There is a c with 3 or less months average temperature above 10 C 50 F but this climate is rare and is very isolated Under the Koppen classification dry summer climates Csa Csb usually occur on the western sides of continents Csb zones in the Koppen system include areas normally not associated with Mediterranean climates but with Oceanic climates such as much of the Pacific Northwest much of southern Chile parts of west central Argentina and parts of New Zealand 6 Additional highland areas in the subtropics also meet Cs requirements though they too are not normally associated with Mediterranean climates The same goes for a number of oceanic islands such as Madeira the Juan Fernandez Islands the western part of the Canary Islands and the eastern part of the Azores Under Trewartha s modified Koppen climate classification the two major requirements for a Cs climate are revised Under Trewartha s system at least eight months must have average temperatures of 10 C 50 F or higher subtropical and the average annual precipitation must not exceed 900 mm 35 in as well as satisfying Koppen s precipitation requirements Under the Holdridge life zones classification the Mediterranean climates can be either temperate or subtropical climates They are frequently found within the Warm Temperate region as defined by Leslie Holdridge with a mean annual biotemperature between 12 C 54 F and the frost line or critical temperature line 16 to 18 C 61 to 64 F depending on locations in the world 7 but often simplified as 17 C 63 F 2 log212 0 5 16 97 C 62 55 F 8 Biotemperature is based on the growing season length and temperature It is measured as the mean of all temperatures with all temperatures below freezing and above 30 C 86 F adjusted to 0 C 9 as plants are normally dormant at these temperatures The frost line separates the warm temperate region from the subtropical region It represents the dividing line between two major physiological groups of evolved plants On the warmer side of the line the majority of the plants are sensitive in low temperatures They can be killed back by frosts as they have not evolved to withstand periods of cold On the colder temperate side of the line the total flora is adapted to survive periods of variable lengths of low temperatures whether as seeds in the case of the annuals or as perennial plants which can withstand the cold Only the warmest Mediterranean climates with a biotemperature between 16 C 61 F to 18 C 64 F and 24 C 75 F are classified as subtropical climates in the Holdridge classification Precipitation EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Chile has six months of winter no more and in them except when there is a quarter moon when it rains one or two days all the other days have such beautiful suns Pedro de Valdivia to Charles V Holy Roman Emperor During summer regions of the Mediterranean climate are strongly influenced by the subtropical ridge which keeps atmospheric conditions very dry with minimal cloud coverage In some areas such as coastal California the cold current has a stabilizing effect on the surrounding air further reducing the chances for rain but often causing thick layers of marine fog that usually evaporates by mid day Similar to desert climates in many Mediterranean climates there is a strong diurnal character to daily temperatures in the warm summer months due to strong solar heating during the day from sunlight and rapid cooling at night In winter the subtropical ridge migrates towards the equator and leaves the area making rainfall much more likely As a result areas with this climate receive almost all of their precipitation during their winter and spring seasons and may go anywhere from four to six months during the summer and early fall without having any significant precipitation In the lower latitudes precipitation usually decreases in both the winter and summer due to higher evapotranspiration Toward the polar latitudes total moisture usually increases for instance the Mediterranean climate in Southern Europe has more rain The rainfall also tends to be more evenly distributed throughout the year in Southern Europe while in places such as the Eastern Mediterranean or in Southern California the summer is nearly or completely dry In places where evapotranspiration is higher steppe climates tend to prevail but still follow the basic pattern of the Mediterranean climates Temperature EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Aegean Sea of Oludeniz Turkey The majority of the regions with Mediterranean climates have relatively mild winters and very warm summers However winter and summer temperatures can vary greatly between different regions with a Mediterranean climate For instance in the case of winters Los Angeles experiences mild to warm temperatures in the winter with frost and snowfall almost unknown whereas Tashkent has cold winters with annual frosts and snowfall seen in the winter or to consider summer Seville experiences rather high temperatures in that season In contrast San Francisco has cool summers with daily highs around 21 C 70 F due to the continuous upwelling of cold subsurface waters along the coast Because most regions with a Mediterranean climate are near large bodies of water temperatures are generally moderate with a comparatively small range of temperatures between the winter low and summer high unlike dry summer humid continental climates although the daily diurnal range of temperature during the summer is large due to dry and clear conditions except along the immediate coastlines Temperatures during winter only occasionally fall below the freezing point and snow is generally seldom seen Summer temperatures can be cool to very hot depending on the distance from a large body of water elevation and latitude among other factors Strong winds from inland desert regions can sometimes boost summer temperatures up quickly increasing the risk of wildfires Notable exceptions to the usual proximity from bodies of water thus featuring extremely high summer temperatures and cooler winters include south eastern Turkey and northern Iraq Urfa Erbil surrounded by hot deserts to the south and mountains to the north Those places routinely experience summer daily means of over 30 C 86 F while receiving enough rainfall in winter not to fall into arid or semi arid classifications As in every climatologic domain the highland locations of the Mediterranean domain can present cooler temperatures in the summer and winter than the lowland areas temperatures which can sometimes prohibit the growth of typical cold sensitive Mediterranean plants Some Spanish authors opt in to use the term Continental Mediterranean Climate for some regions with lower temperatures in winter than the coastal areas 10 direct translation from Clima Mediterraneo Continentalizado but most climate classifications including Koppen s Cs zones show no distinction as long as winter temperature means stay above freezing Additionally the temperature and rainfall pattern for a Csa or even a Csb climate can exist as a microclimate in some high altitude locations adjacent to a rare tropical As tropical savanna climate with dry summers typically in a rainshadow region as in Hawaii These have a favourable climate with mild wet winters and fairly warm dry summers Mediterranean biome Edit The Ionian Sea view from the island Lefkada Greece Makarska in Dalmatia Croatia The coastal Mediterranean region of Costa Brava Catalonia Spain The Mediterranean forests woodlands and scrub biome is closely associated with Mediterranean climate zones as are unique freshwater communities though vegetation native to the Mediterranean climate zone can also be found in the approximate nearby climate zones which usually tend to be the humid subtropical oceanic and or semi arid zones depending on the region and location Particularly distinctive of the climate are sclerophyll shrublands called maquis in the Mediterranean Basin chaparral in California matorral in Chile fynbos in South Africa and mallee and kwongan shrublands in Australia Aquatic communities in Mediterranean climate regions are adapted to a yearly cycle in which abiotic environmental controls of stream populations and community structure dominate during floods biotic components e g competition and predation controls become increasingly important as the flood discharge declines and environmental controls regain dominance as environmental conditions become very harsh i e hot and dry as a result these communities are well suited to recover from droughts floods and fires 11 Aquatic organisms in these regions show distinct long term patterns in their structure and function 3 and are also highly sensitive to the recent effects of climate change 1 2 Natural vegetation Edit The native vegetation of Mediterranean climate lands must be adapted to survive long hot summer droughts in summer and prolonged wet periods in winter Mediterranean vegetation examples include the following 12 Evergreen trees bay laurel eucalyptus grevillea casuarina melaleuca pine and cypress Deciduous trees sycamore oak and buckeyes Fruit trees olive figs walnuts and grapes Shrubs rosemary Erica Banksia and chamise Sub shrubs lavender Halimium and sagebrush Grasses grassland types Themeda triandra bunchgrasses sedges and rushes Herbs Achillea Dietes Helichrysum and PenstemonMany native vegetations in Mediterranean climate area valleys have been cleared for agriculture and farming In places such as the Sacramento Valley and Oxnard Plain in California draining marshes and estuaries combined with supplemental irrigation has led to a century of intensive agriculture Much of the Overberg in the southern Cape of South Africa was once covered with renosterveld but has likewise been largely converted to agriculture mainly for wheat In hillside and mountainous areas away from the urban sprawls ecosystems and habitats of native vegetation are more sustained and undisturbed The fynbos vegetation in the South western Cape in South Africa is famed for its high floral diversity and includes such plant types as members of the Restionaceae Ericas Heaths and Proteas Representatives of the Proteaceae also grow in Australia such as Banksias The palette of California native plants is also renowned for its species and cultivar diversity Hot summer Mediterranean climate EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Hot summer mediterranean climate Csa This subtype of the Mediterranean climate Csa is the most common form of the Mediterranean climate therefore it is also known as a typical Mediterranean climate As stated earlier regions with this form of a Mediterranean climate experience average monthly temperatures in excess of 22 0 C 71 6 F during its warmest month and an average in the coldest month between 18 and 3 C 64 and 27 F or in some applications between 18 and 0 C 64 and 32 F Also at least four months must average above 10 C 50 F to avoid becoming a cold mediterranean subtype Regions with this form of the Mediterranean climate typically experience hot sometimes very hot and dry summers and mild wet winters In a number of instances summers here can closely resemble summers seen in arid and semi arid climates and be close to the thresholds for them However high temperatures during summers are generally not quite as high as those in arid or semiarid climates due to the presence of a large body of water nearby All areas with this subtype have wet mild winters However some areas with a hot Mediterranean subtype can actually experience very chilly winters with occasional snowfall Csa climates are mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea southern Australia southwestern South Africa sections of Central Asia northern sections of Iran and Iraq the interior of northern California west of the Sierra Nevada along the Wasatch Front in Utah and inland areas of southern Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains Southern California s coasts also experience hot summers due to the shielding effect of the Channel Islands However unshielded areas of that coastline can have warm summer Mediterranean climates with hot summer areas just a few kilometres inland Valencia SpainClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 37 16 7 36 17 8 33 19 10 38 21 12 39 23 15 22 27 19 8 30 22 20 30 22 70 28 19 77 24 15 47 20 11 48 17 8 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia 13 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 1 5 62 45 1 4 63 46 1 3 67 49 1 5 69 53 1 5 74 58 0 9 81 65 0 3 85 71 0 8 86 71 2 8 82 66 3 76 59 1 9 68 51 1 9 63 47 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesLos Angeles United StatesClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 79 20 9 97 20 10 62 21 11 23 23 12 6 6 24 14 2 3 26 16 0 3 28 18 1 29 18 6 1 28 17 17 26 15 26 23 11 59 20 9 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource NOAA 1 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 3 1 68 48 3 8 69 49 2 4 70 51 0 9 73 53 0 3 74 57 0 1 78 60 0 83 64 0 84 64 0 2 83 63 0 7 78 59 1 73 52 2 3 68 47 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesPerth AustraliaClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 9 5 31 18 13 31 18 19 30 16 44 26 14 118 22 11 177 19 9 170 18 8 134 19 8 81 20 10 52 23 11 22 26 14 13 29 16 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource BoM 14 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 0 4 87 64 0 5 88 64 0 8 85 62 1 7 78 56 4 6 72 51 7 67 47 6 7 65 46 5 3 66 46 3 2 68 49 2 1 73 52 0 9 79 57 0 5 84 61 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesWarm summer Mediterranean climate Edit Warm summer mediterranean climate Csb Occasionally also termed the Cool summer Mediterranean climate this subtype of the Mediterranean climate Csb is less common and experience warm but not hot and dry summers with no average monthly temperatures above 22 C 72 F during its warmest month and as usual an average in the coldest month between 18 and 3 C 64 and 27 F or citation needed in some applications between 18 and 0 C 64 and 32 F citation needed Also at least four months must average above 10 C 50 F once again Cool ocean currents upwelling and higher latitudes are often the reason for this cooler type of Mediterranean climate This is why it rarely occurs on the Mediterranean Sea shores as it is a warm sea and is subtropical from 3 to 6 C above the theoric value according to Jean Demangeot 15 The other main reason for this cooler type is the altitude For instance Menton on the French coast has a Csa climate while Castellar Alpes Maritimes the adjacent town just north of Menton with an altitude between 100 and 1 382 m 328 and 4 534 ft has a Csb climate instead 16 Winters are rainy and can be mild to chilly In some instances snow can fall on these areas Precipitation occurs often in the colder seasons but there are a number of clear sunny days even during the wetter seasons Csb climates are found in northwestern Iberian Peninsula namely Galicia and the Norte region and west coast of Portugal in coastal California in the Pacific Northwest namely western Washington western Oregon and southern portions of Vancouver Island in British Columbia 17 18 19 20 21 in central Chile in parts of southern Australia and in sections of southwestern South Africa A few locations close to the south coast of England such as Weymouth and Portland just scrape into this climate classification due to very low rainfall in July A trend towards slightly drier summers during the 1971 2000 climate average period meant that this classification previously extended slightly further to include a few other weather stations in southern England such as Bognor Regis and Teignmouth 22 Rarer instances of this climate can be found in relatively small and isolated high altitude areas of the Andes in Northern Ecuador Colombia and Western Venezuela Porto PortugalClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 158 14 5 140 15 6 90 17 8 116 18 9 98 20 12 46 24 15 18 25 16 27 26 16 71 24 15 138 21 12 158 17 9 195 14 7 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource Instituto de Meteorologia 23 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 6 2 57 41 5 5 59 43 3 5 63 46 4 6 65 48 3 8 68 53 1 8 74 58 0 7 78 61 1 1 78 61 2 8 75 58 5 4 69 54 6 2 63 48 7 7 58 44 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesVictoria CanadaClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 94 7 3 72 9 4 47 11 5 29 13 6 26 16 8 21 18 10 14 20 11 20 20 12 27 19 11 51 14 8 99 9 5 109 7 3 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource Environment Canada 24 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 3 7 45 37 2 8 47 39 1 8 51 40 1 1 56 43 1 61 47 0 8 64 50 0 6 68 52 0 8 68 53 1 1 65 51 2 57 46 3 9 49 41 4 3 45 38 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesCape Town South AfricaClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 15 26 16 17 27 16 20 25 14 41 23 12 69 20 9 93 18 8 82 18 7 77 18 8 40 19 9 30 21 11 14 24 13 17 25 15 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource WMO 25 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 0 6 79 60 0 7 80 60 0 8 78 58 1 6 73 53 2 7 69 49 3 7 65 46 3 2 64 45 3 64 46 1 6 67 48 1 2 70 51 0 6 74 56 0 7 77 59 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesCold summer Mediterranean climate Edit Distribution of the relatively rare cold summer Mediterranean climate Koppen type Csc in Washington Oregon and California The cold summer subtype of the Mediterranean climate Csc is rare and predominately found at scattered high altitude locations along the west coasts of North and South America having a similar climate citation needed This type is characterized by cool dry summers with less than four months with a mean temperature at or above 10 C 50 F as well as with cool wet winters with no winter month having a mean temperature below 0 C 32 F or 3 C 27 F depending on the isotherm used citation needed Regions with this climate are influenced by the dry summer trend though briefly that extends considerably poleward along the west coast of the Americas as well as the moderating influences of high altitude and relative proximity to the Pacific Ocean These conditions maintain an unusually narrow temperature range through the year for climate zones at such distances from coasts In North America areas with Csc climate can be found in the Olympic Cascade Klamath and Sierra Nevada ranges in Washington Oregon and California These locations are found at high altitude nearby lower altitude regions characterized by a warm summer Mediterranean climate Csb or hot summer Mediterranean climate Csa A rare instance of this climate occurs in the tropics on Haleakala Summit in Hawaii In South America Csc regions can be found along the Andes in Chile and Argentina The town of Balmaceda Chile is one of the few towns confirmed to have this climate Small areas with a Csc climate can be found at high elevations in Corsica 11 In Norway the small fishing village of Rost above the Arctic Circle has a climate bordering on Csc and is known as a climatic anomaly due to abnormally warm temperatures despite its latitude located above 67 N latitude citation needed Balmaceda ChileClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 28 18 7 20 18 6 38 16 5 54 12 3 93 8 1 85 4 2 84 4 3 72 6 1 49 9 0 30 13 2 28 15 4 32 16 6 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource DMC 26 infochile 27 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 1 1 64 44 0 8 64 43 1 5 60 40 2 1 53 37 3 6 46 33 3 4 40 28 3 3 38 27 2 8 43 30 1 9 49 32 1 2 55 36 1 1 58 40 1 2 62 42 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesHaleakala Summit United StatesClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 203 7 1 91 10 2 78 11 3 102 11 3 34 13 4 9 4 15 6 12 14 5 28 15 6 40 14 6 34 14 5 104 10 3 119 6 0 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource The Western Regional Climate Center 28 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 8 45 34 3 6 50 36 3 1 51 37 4 52 37 1 4 55 39 0 4 58 42 0 5 58 42 1 1 58 42 1 6 58 42 1 3 57 41 4 1 51 38 4 7 43 32 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesLiawenee TasmaniaClimate chart explanation J F M A M J J A S O N D 49 19 5 37 18 5 65 16 4 66 12 2 89 9 0 104 7 1 120 6 2 129 7 1 111 9 1 69 12 1 64 15 3 59 17 4 Average max and min temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mmSource Bureau of Meteorology 29 Imperial conversionJFMAMJJASOND 1 9 66 42 1 5 65 41 2 5 61 39 2 6 54 35 3 5 48 32 4 1 44 30 4 7 42 29 5 1 44 30 4 4 48 31 2 7 54 33 2 5 59 37 2 3 62 39 Average max and min temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inchesReferences Edit a b Lawrence J E K B Lunde R D Mazor L A Beche E P McElravy V H Resh 2010 Long Term Macroinvertebrate Responses to Climate Change Implications for Biological Assessment in Mediterranean Climate Streams Journal of the North American Benthological Society 29 4 1424 1440 doi 10 1899 09 178 1 S2CID 84679634 a b Filipe A F J E Lawrence N Bonada November 2013 Vulnerability of Biota in Mediterranean Streams to Climate Change A Synthesis of Ecological Responses and Conservation Challenges Hydrobiologia 719 331 351 doi 10 1007 s10750 012 1244 4 hdl 2445 48186 S2CID 17658477 a b Resh V H L A Beche J E Lawrence R D Mazor E P McElravy A H Purcell S M Carlson 2013 Long term Population and Community Patterns of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Northern California Mediterranean climate Streams Journal of the North American Benthological Society 719 93 118 doi 10 1007 s10750 012 1373 9 S2CID 186919 Kottek Markus Grieser Jurgen Beck Christoph Rudolf Bruno Rube Franz June 2006 World Map of the Koppen Geiger climate classification updated PDF Meteorologische Zeitschrift 15 3 259 263 Bibcode 2006MetZe 15 259K doi 10 1127 0941 2948 2006 0130 Archived PDF from the original on 12 April 2019 Retrieved 27 February 2011 Peel M C Finlayson B L McMahon T A 2007 Updated world map of the Koppen Geiger climate classification PDF Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 4 2 439 473 doi 10 5194 hessd 4 439 2007 Archived PDF from the original on 28 August 2019 Retrieved 27 February 2011 Peel M C Finlayson B L McMahon T A 2007 Updated world map of the Koppen Geiger climate classification Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 11 5 1633 1644 Bibcode 2007HESS 11 1633P doi 10 5194 hess 11 1633 2007 Archived from the original on 10 February 2017 Retrieved 27 February 2011 LIFE ZONE ECOLOGY by L R Holdridge PDF Archived PDF 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for Australian locations Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Retrieved 20 July 2022 External links Edit Media related to Mediterranean climate at Wikimedia Commons Explanation of Mediterranean Climate University of Wisconsin Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mediterranean climate amp oldid 1148886490 Hot summer Mediterranean climate, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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