Subarctic climate

Last updated
Subarctic climate worldwide
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Dsc
Dsd
Dwc
Dwd
Dfc
Dfd Koppen World Map Dsc, Dwc, Dfc, Dsd, Dwd and Dfd (Subarctic).svg
Subarctic climate worldwide
  Dsc
  Dsd
  Dwc
  Dwd
  Dfc
  Dfd

The subarctic climate (also called subpolar climate, or boreal climate) is a continental climate with long, cold (often very cold) winters, and short, warm to cool summers. It is found on large landmasses, often away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50°N to 70°N, poleward of the humid continental climates. Like other Class D climates, they are rare in the Southern Hemisphere, only found at some isolated highland elevations. Subarctic or boreal climates are the source regions for the cold air that affects temperate latitudes to the south in winter. These climates represent Köppen climate classification Dfc, Dwc, Dsc, Dfd, Dwd and Dsd.

Contents

Description

This type of climate offers some of the most extreme seasonal temperature variations found on the planet: in winter, temperatures can drop to below −50 °C (−58 °F) and in summer, the temperature may exceed 26 °C (79 °F). However, the summers are short; no more than three months of the year (but at least one month) must have a 24-hour average temperature of at least 10 °C (50 °F) to fall into this category of climate, and the coldest month should average below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)). Record low temperatures can approach −70 °C (−94 °F). [1]

With 5–7 consecutive months when the average temperature is below freezing, all moisture in the soil and subsoil freezes solidly to depths of many feet. Summer warmth is insufficient to thaw more than a few surface feet, so permafrost prevails under most areas not near the southern boundary of this climate zone. Seasonal thaw penetrates from 2 to 14 ft (0.6 to 4.3 m), depending on latitude, aspect, and type of ground. [2] Some northern areas with subarctic climates located near oceans (southern Alaska, northern Norway, Sakhalin Oblast and Kamchatka Oblast), have milder winters and no permafrost, and are more suited for farming unless precipitation is excessive. The frost-free season is very short, varying from about 45 to 100 days at most, and a freeze can occur anytime outside the summer months in many areas.

Description

The first D indicates continentality, with the coldest month below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)).

The second letter denotes precipitation patterns:

The third letter denotes temperature:

Precipitation

Most subarctic climates have little precipitation, typically no more than 380 mm (15 in) over an entire year due to the low temperatures and evapotranspiration. Away from the coasts, precipitation occurs mostly in the summer months, while in coastal areas with subarctic climates the heaviest precipitation is usually during the autumn months when the relative warmth of sea vis-à-vis land is greatest. Low precipitation, by the standards of more temperate regions with longer summers and warmer winters, is typically sufficient in view of the very low evapotranspiration to allow a water-logged terrain in many areas of subarctic climate and to permit snow cover during winter, which is generally persistent for an extended period.

A notable exception to this pattern is that subarctic climates occurring at high elevations in otherwise temperate regions have extremely high precipitation due to orographic lift. Mount Washington, with temperatures typical of a subarctic climate, receives an average rain-equivalent of 101.91 inches (2,588.5 mm) of precipitation per year. [3] Coastal areas of Khabarovsk Krai also have much higher precipitation in summer due to orographic influences (up to 175 millimetres (6.9 in) in July in some areas), whilst the mountainous Kamchatka peninsula and Sakhalin island are even wetter, since orographic moisture isn't confined to the warmer months and creates large glaciers in Kamchatka. Labrador, in eastern Canada, is similarly wet throughout the year due to the semi-permanent Icelandic Low and can receive up to 1,300 millimetres (51 in) of rainfall equivalent per year, creating a snow cover of up to 1.5 metres (59 in) that does not melt until June.

Vegetation and land use

Vegetation in regions with subarctic climates is generally of low diversity, as only hardy tree species can survive the long winters and make use of the short summers. Trees are mostly limited to conifers, as few broadleaved trees are able to survive the very low temperatures in winter. This type of forest is also known as taiga, a term which is sometimes applied to the climate found therein as well. Even though the diversity may be low, the area and numbers are high, and the taiga (boreal) forest is the largest forest biome on the planet, with most of the forests located in Russia and Canada. The process by which plants become acclimated to cold temperatures is called hardening.

Agricultural potential is generally poor, due to the natural infertility of soils [4] and the prevalence of swamps and lakes left by departing ice sheets, and short growing seasons prohibit all but the hardiest of crops. Despite the short season, the long summer days at such latitudes do permit some agriculture. In some areas, ice has scoured rock surfaces bare, entirely stripping off the overburden. Elsewhere, rock basins have been formed and stream courses dammed, creating countless lakes. [2]

Neighboring regions

Should one go northward or even toward a polar sea, one finds that the warmest month has an average temperature of less than 10 °C (50 °F), and the subarctic climate grades into a tundra climate not at all suitable for trees. Southward, this climate grades into the humid continental climates with longer summers (and usually less-severe winters) allowing broadleaf trees; in a few locations close to a temperate sea (as in northern Norway and southern Alaska), this climate can grade into a short-summer version of an oceanic climate, the subpolar oceanic climate, as the sea is approached where winter temperatures average near or above freezing despite maintaining the short, cool summers. In China and Mongolia, as one moves southwestwards or towards lower elevations, temperatures increase but precipitation is so low that the subarctic climate grades into a cold semi-arid climate.

Distribution

Dfc and Dfd distribution

The Dfc climate, by far the most common subarctic type, is found in the following areas: [5] [6]

View of pines in the Kuysumy mountains in Siberia Kuysumy mountains and Torgashinsky range. View from viewing platform on Kashtakovskaya path (Stolby reserve, Krasnoyarsk city) 4Y1A8757 (28363120875).jpg
View of pines in the Kuysumy mountains in Siberia

Further north and east in Siberia, continentality increases so much that winters can be exceptionally severe, averaging below −38 °C (−36 °F), even though the hottest month still averages more than 10 °C (50 °F). This creates Dfd climates, which are mostly found in the Sakha Republic:

Subarctic climate in Alaska, near Yukon Subarctic Tundra.JPG
Subarctic climate in Alaska, near Yukon

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Dfc climate is found only in small, isolated pockets in the Snowy Mountains of Australia, the Southern Alps of New Zealand, and the Lesotho Highlands. In South America, this climate occurs on the western slope of the central Andes in Chile and Argentina, where climatic conditions are notably more humid compared to the eastern slope. The presence of the Andes mountain range contributes to a wetter climate on the western slope by capturing moisture from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in increased precipitation, especially during the winter months. This climate zone supports the presence of temperate rainforests, mostly on highest areas of the Valdivian rainforest in Chile and the subantarctic forest in Argentina.

Dsc and Dsd distribution

Climates classified as Dsc or Dsd, with a dry summer, are rare, occurring in very small areas at high elevation around the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Alaska and other parts of the northwestern United States (Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Southern Idaho, California's Eastern Sierra), the Russian Far East, Akureyri, Iceland, Seneca, Oregon, and Atlin, British Columbia. Turkey and Afghanistan are exceptions; Dsc climates are common in Northeast Anatolia, in the Taurus and Köroğlu Mountains, and the Central Afghan highlands.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Dsc climate is present in South America as a subarctic climate influenced by Mediterranean characteristics, often considered a high-altitude variant of the Mediterranean climate. It is located on the eastern slopes of the central Argentine Andes and in some sections on the Chilean side. While there are no major settlements exhibiting this climate, several localities in the vicinity experience it, such as San Carlos de Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, Balmaceda, Punta de Vacas, and Termas del Flaco. [7]

Dwc and Dwd distribution

Climates classified as Dwc or Dwd, with a dry winter, are found in parts of East Asia, like China, where the Siberian High makes the winters colder than places like Scandinavia or Alaska interior but extremely dry (typically with around 5 millimeters (0.20 in) of rainfall equivalent per month), meaning that winter snow cover is very limited. The Dwc climate can be found in:

In the Southern Hemisphere, small pockets of the Lesotho Highlands and the Drakensberg Mountains have a Dwc classification.

Charts of selected sites

Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Climate chart (explanation)
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30
 
 
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−4
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: U.S. Climate Data
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.7
 
 
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56
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42
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1.2
 
 
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Climate chart (explanation)
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14
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12
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24
 
 
−5
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [8]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.9
 
 
12
−2
 
 
0.6
 
 
19
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0.5
 
 
30
10
 
 
0.3
 
 
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1.4
 
 
67
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1.5
 
 
69
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65
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1.2
 
 
54
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0.9
 
 
40
27
 
 
0.9
 
 
22
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0.6
 
 
16
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Climate chart (explanation)
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−22
−29
 
 
11
 
 
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−11
−23
 
 
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−11
 
 
16
 
 
10
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29
 
 
19
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40
 
 
22
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44
 
 
18
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43
 
 
11
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29
 
 
2
−4
 
 
26
 
 
−9
−16
 
 
15
 
 
−18
−26
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [9]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.6
 
 
−7
−21
 
 
0.4
 
 
0
−17
 
 
0.6
 
 
13
−9
 
 
0.5
 
 
33
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0.6
 
 
51
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65
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1.6
 
 
71
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1.7
 
 
65
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1.7
 
 
52
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1.1
 
 
35
26
 
 
1
 
 
16
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Samedan, Graubünden, Switzerland
Climate chart (explanation)
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−1
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8
−4
 
 
67
 
 
13
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91
 
 
17
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87
 
 
19
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100
 
 
19
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73
 
 
15
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77
 
 
11
−3
 
 
70
 
 
4
−8
 
 
37
 
 
−1
−13
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: MeteoSwiss [10]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.1
 
 
30
4
 
 
0.7
 
 
33
4
 
 
0.9
 
 
39
15
 
 
1.5
 
 
46
24
 
 
2.6
 
 
55
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3.6
 
 
63
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3.4
 
 
67
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3.9
 
 
66
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2.9
 
 
58
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3
 
 
51
27
 
 
2.8
 
 
39
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1.5
 
 
31
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Luleå, Sweden
Climate chart (explanation)
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−5
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30
 
 
5
−3
 
 
40
 
 
12
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60
 
 
17
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60
 
 
21
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70
 
 
18
11
 
 
60
 
 
13
6
 
 
50
 
 
6
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55
 
 
0
−6
 
 
50
 
 
−3
−10
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Climates to Travel [11]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2
 
 
24
9
 
 
1.4
 
 
23
8
 
 
1.2
 
 
32
16
 
 
1.2
 
 
41
26
 
 
1.6
 
 
53
37
 
 
2.4
 
 
63
48
 
 
2.4
 
 
69
54
 
 
2.8
 
 
65
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2.4
 
 
56
43
 
 
2
 
 
42
31
 
 
2.2
 
 
32
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2
 
 
27
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Nerdal/Mo i Rana, Norway
Climate chart (explanation)
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19
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110
 
 
18
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155
 
 
13
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186
 
 
6
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136
 
 
1
−3
 
 
163
 
 
−2
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Weather Online [12] yr.no climate statistics Mo i Rana airport [13]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
5.7
 
 
25
17
 
 
4.6
 
 
27
19
 
 
4.4
 
 
34
19
 
 
2.9
 
 
43
28
 
 
2.5
 
 
53
37
 
 
2.8
 
 
60
45
 
 
3.8
 
 
67
50
 
 
4.3
 
 
64
49
 
 
6.1
 
 
55
43
 
 
7.3
 
 
43
34
 
 
5.4
 
 
33
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6.4
 
 
29
22
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Tromsø, Norway
Climate chart (explanation)
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4
−2
 
 
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9
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58
 
 
13
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73
 
 
16
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88
 
 
15
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111
 
 
11
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127
 
 
5
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94
 
 
2
−2
 
 
110
 
 
0
−4
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Met Norway
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
4.3
 
 
30
22
 
 
3.8
 
 
30
22
 
 
3.8
 
 
33
24
 
 
2.8
 
 
39
29
 
 
2.2
 
 
48
36
 
 
2.3
 
 
55
43
 
 
2.9
 
 
61
48
 
 
3.5
 
 
59
47
 
 
4.4
 
 
52
42
 
 
5
 
 
41
34
 
 
3.7
 
 
36
29
 
 
4.3
 
 
33
25
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Kiruna, Sweden
Climate chart (explanation)
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−3
−12
 
 
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−6
 
 
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15
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93
 
 
19
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66
 
 
16
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58
 
 
10
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40
 
 
3
−4
 
 
26
 
 
−3
−10
 
 
32
 
 
−5
−13
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: SMHI Open Data for Kiruna flygplats [14]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1
 
 
18
2
 
 
0.8
 
 
20
4
 
 
0.6
 
 
27
11
 
 
0.8
 
 
38
22
 
 
1.8
 
 
48
33
 
 
2.1
 
 
59
42
 
 
3.6
 
 
65
48
 
 
2.6
 
 
61
45
 
 
2.3
 
 
50
37
 
 
1.6
 
 
37
25
 
 
1
 
 
27
14
 
 
1.2
 
 
23
8
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russia
Climate chart (explanation)
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−34
−40
 
 
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−28
−37
 
 
6
 
 
−12
−26
 
 
8
 
 
3
−10
 
 
20
 
 
14
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30
 
 
23
10
 
 
40
 
 
26
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37
 
 
22
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30
 
 
12
1
 
 
19
 
 
−3
−11
 
 
17
 
 
−22
−30
 
 
9
 
 
−34
−40
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Time and Date [15]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.4
 
 
−29
−40
 
 
0.4
 
 
−18
−35
 
 
0.2
 
 
11
−15
 
 
0.3
 
 
37
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0.8
 
 
57
35
 
 
1.2
 
 
74
50
 
 
1.6
 
 
78
56
 
 
1.5
 
 
71
49
 
 
1.2
 
 
53
34
 
 
0.7
 
 
27
12
 
 
0.7
 
 
−8
−21
 
 
0.4
 
 
−30
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Verkhoyansk, Sakha Republic, Russia
Climate chart (explanation)
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−42
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5
 
 
−37
−46
 
 
5
 
 
−19
−37
 
 
4
 
 
−2
−20
 
 
16
 
 
10
−2
 
 
30
 
 
21
7
 
 
34
 
 
23
10
 
 
30
 
 
19
6
 
 
22
 
 
9
−2
 
 
13
 
 
−9
−18
 
 
11
 
 
−30
−37
 
 
6
 
 
−41
−46
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Погода и Климат [16] January record [17]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.2
 
 
−43
−54
 
 
0.2
 
 
−34
−51
 
 
0.2
 
 
−2
−35
 
 
0.2
 
 
29
−5
 
 
0.6
 
 
51
28
 
 
1.2
 
 
69
45
 
 
1.3
 
 
74
50
 
 
1.2
 
 
67
42
 
 
0.9
 
 
48
29
 
 
0.5
 
 
17
0
 
 
0.4
 
 
−22
−35
 
 
0.2
 
 
−41
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Mohe City, Heilongjiang, China
Climate chart (explanation)
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6.7
 
 
−18
−35
 
 
4.4
 
 
−11
−32
 
 
6.2
 
 
−2
−22
 
 
18
 
 
9
−8
 
 
44
 
 
18
0
 
 
60
 
 
25
6
 
 
117
 
 
26
11
 
 
99
 
 
24
9
 
 
52
 
 
17
1
 
 
28
 
 
6
−9
 
 
13
 
 
−9
−24
 
 
8.1
 
 
−19
−33
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Weather China [18] [19]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.3
 
 
0
−31
 
 
0.2
 
 
12
−26
 
 
0.2
 
 
29
−8
 
 
0.7
 
 
48
18
 
 
1.7
 
 
64
32
 
 
2.4
 
 
76
44
 
 
4.6
 
 
79
52
 
 
3.9
 
 
74
47
 
 
2.1
 
 
63
33
 
 
1.1
 
 
42
15
 
 
0.5
 
 
16
−12
 
 
0.3
 
 
−2
−28
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Crater Lake, Oregon, United States
Climate chart (explanation)
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257
 
 
1
−7
 
 
191
 
 
1
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198
 
 
2
−7
 
 
156
 
 
5
−5
 
 
93
 
 
9
−2
 
 
58
 
 
14
1
 
 
20
 
 
21
5
 
 
21
 
 
21
5
 
 
49
 
 
17
3
 
 
122
 
 
10
−1
 
 
244
 
 
3
−5
 
 
287
 
 
0
−7
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: NOAA [20]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
10
 
 
33
20
 
 
7.5
 
 
34
19
 
 
7.8
 
 
36
20
 
 
6.1
 
 
40
23
 
 
3.7
 
 
49
29
 
 
2.3
 
 
57
34
 
 
0.8
 
 
69
41
 
 
0.8
 
 
69
42
 
 
1.9
 
 
63
37
 
 
4.8
 
 
51
30
 
 
9.6
 
 
38
23
 
 
11
 
 
33
19
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Climate chart (explanation)
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−31
 
 
16
 
 
−23
−31
 
 
28
 
 
−18
−26
 
 
21
 
 
−10
−19
 
 
24
 
 
−2
−8
 
 
34
 
 
10
3
 
 
32
 
 
18
10
 
 
52
 
 
15
8
 
 
26
 
 
7
1
 
 
36
 
 
−7
−13
 
 
31
 
 
−17
−24
 
 
22
 
 
−22
−29
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Weatherbase [21]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.7
 
 
−10
−23
 
 
0.6
 
 
−9
−24
 
 
1.1
 
 
−1
−16
 
 
0.8
 
 
14
−1
 
 
0.9
 
 
29
17
 
 
1.4
 
 
51
38
 
 
1.3
 
 
65
50
 
 
2.1
 
 
59
46
 
 
1
 
 
44
34
 
 
1.4
 
 
20
10
 
 
1.2
 
 
2
−11
 
 
0.9
 
 
−7
−20
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Östersund, Sweden
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
32
 
 
−3
−9
 
 
21
 
 
−2
−8
 
 
22
 
 
1
−6
 
 
23
 
 
7
−1
 
 
48
 
 
13
4
 
 
62
 
 
17
8
 
 
76
 
 
20
11
 
 
81
 
 
18
10
 
 
55
 
 
13
7
 
 
44
 
 
6
2
 
 
34
 
 
1
−3
 
 
36
 
 
−1
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: SMHI [22]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.3
 
 
27
16
 
 
0.8
 
 
28
17
 
 
0.9
 
 
35
22
 
 
0.9
 
 
45
31
 
 
1.9
 
 
55
39
 
 
2.5
 
 
62
47
 
 
3
 
 
67
52
 
 
3.2
 
 
64
51
 
 
2.2
 
 
55
44
 
 
1.7
 
 
43
35
 
 
1.3
 
 
34
26
 
 
1.4
 
 
30
21
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Oulu, Finland
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
32
 
 
−5
−12
 
 
29
 
 
−5
−12
 
 
26
 
 
0
−8
 
 
23
 
 
6
−3
 
 
40
 
 
13
3
 
 
51
 
 
18
9
 
 
80
 
 
21
12
 
 
62
 
 
19
11
 
 
49
 
 
13
6
 
 
51
 
 
6
1
 
 
43
 
 
1
−4
 
 
39
 
 
−3
−9
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: FMI [23]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.3
 
 
23
11
 
 
1.1
 
 
24
10
 
 
1
 
 
31
17
 
 
0.9
 
 
42
28
 
 
1.6
 
 
55
38
 
 
2
 
 
64
49
 
 
3.1
 
 
70
54
 
 
2.4
 
 
66
51
 
 
1.9
 
 
56
43
 
 
2
 
 
42
33
 
 
1.7
 
 
33
24
 
 
1.5
 
 
27
16
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, Denmark
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
7.9
 
 
−13
−23
 
 
6.1
 
 
−15
−25
 
 
5.2
 
 
−11
−22
 
 
7.6
 
 
−1
−12
 
 
11
 
 
8
−2
 
 
13
 
 
15
4
 
 
28
 
 
17
5
 
 
32
 
 
14
3
 
 
23
 
 
8
−1
 
 
13
 
 
−1
−9
 
 
12
 
 
−7
−16
 
 
9.8
 
 
−11
−20
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute [24] [25]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.3
 
 
8
−10
 
 
0.2
 
 
5
−13
 
 
0.2
 
 
13
−8
 
 
0.3
 
 
30
11
 
 
0.4
 
 
47
29
 
 
0.5
 
 
60
40
 
 
1.1
 
 
62
41
 
 
1.2
 
 
57
38
 
 
0.9
 
 
46
30
 
 
0.5
 
 
31
16
 
 
0.5
 
 
19
4
 
 
0.4
 
 
13
−4
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Anadyr, Chukotka, Russia
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
40
 
 
−19
−26
 
 
44
 
 
−17
−25
 
 
38
 
 
−15
−22
 
 
23
 
 
−8
−16
 
 
13
 
 
2
−4
 
 
16
 
 
12
4
 
 
36
 
 
16
9
 
 
45
 
 
14
8
 
 
32
 
 
8
3
 
 
29
 
 
−1
−6
 
 
36
 
 
−8
−15
 
 
33
 
 
−16
−23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Погода и климат [26]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.6
 
 
−1
−14
 
 
1.7
 
 
1
−12
 
 
1.5
 
 
6
−7
 
 
0.9
 
 
17
4
 
 
0.5
 
 
36
25
 
 
0.6
 
 
53
39
 
 
1.4
 
 
61
48
 
 
1.8
 
 
57
46
 
 
1.3
 
 
47
37
 
 
1.1
 
 
30
21
 
 
1.4
 
 
17
6
 
 
1.3
 
 
4
−9
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Livigno, Italy
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
107
 
 
−6
−14
 
 
123
 
 
−5
−14
 
 
134
 
 
−2
−10
 
 
205
 
 
2
−4
 
 
248
 
 
7
1
 
 
271
 
 
12
6
 
 
275
 
 
15
8
 
 
129
 
 
15
7
 
 
178
 
 
10
3
 
 
125
 
 
4
−3
 
 
171
 
 
−1
−8
 
 
121
 
 
−5
−12
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: World Weather Online [27]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
4.2
 
 
21
7
 
 
4.8
 
 
23
7
 
 
5.3
 
 
29
15
 
 
8.1
 
 
35
25
 
 
9.8
 
 
44
34
 
 
11
 
 
54
43
 
 
11
 
 
59
46
 
 
5.1
 
 
59
45
 
 
7
 
 
50
37
 
 
4.9
 
 
40
27
 
 
6.7
 
 
30
18
 
 
4.8
 
 
23
10
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Fraser, Colorado, United States
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
49
 
 
−1
−18
 
 
36
 
 
1
−17
 
 
45
 
 
6
−12
 
 
52
 
 
11
−7
 
 
32
 
 
17
−3
 
 
30
 
 
22
0
 
 
48
 
 
25
3
 
 
44
 
 
24
3
 
 
41
 
 
20
−2
 
 
41
 
 
13
−6
 
 
35
 
 
5
−13
 
 
43
 
 
−1
−18
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: NOAA [20]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.9
 
 
31
−1
 
 
1.4
 
 
34
2
 
 
1.8
 
 
43
11
 
 
2
 
 
51
20
 
 
1.3
 
 
62
27
 
 
1.2
 
 
72
33
 
 
1.9
 
 
77
38
 
 
1.7
 
 
74
37
 
 
1.6
 
 
68
29
 
 
1.6
 
 
56
21
 
 
1.4
 
 
41
10
 
 
1.7
 
 
31
−1
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
14
 
 
−20
−27
 
 
12
 
 
−21
−30
 
 
16
 
 
−15
−25
 
 
23
 
 
−7
−15
 
 
27
 
 
2
−5
 
 
38
 
 
10
1
 
 
60
 
 
16
7
 
 
61
 
 
14
7
 
 
70
 
 
9
3
 
 
59
 
 
3
−2
 
 
51
 
 
−3
−10
 
 
30
 
 
−12
−19
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [28]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.6
 
 
−4
−17
 
 
0.5
 
 
−6
−21
 
 
0.6
 
 
4
−12
 
 
0.9
 
 
20
4
 
 
1.1
 
 
35
23
 
 
1.5
 
 
51
34
 
 
2.4
 
 
61
44
 
 
2.4
 
 
58
45
 
 
2.8
 
 
48
38
 
 
2.3
 
 
37
29
 
 
2
 
 
26
15
 
 
1.2
 
 
11
−2
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Valle Nevado, Chile
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
53
 
 
16
7
 
 
49
 
 
16
7
 
 
37
 
 
14
6
 
 
65
 
 
10
1
 
 
114
 
 
4
−4
 
 
162
 
 
0
−7
 
 
121
 
 
−1
−7
 
 
114
 
 
0
−6
 
 
103
 
 
2
−6
 
 
87
 
 
5
−4
 
 
76
 
 
8
−1
 
 
61
 
 
12
3
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Climate-Data.org [29]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2.1
 
 
60
45
 
 
1.9
 
 
60
45
 
 
1.5
 
 
58
42
 
 
2.6
 
 
50
35
 
 
4.5
 
 
39
25
 
 
6.4
 
 
31
20
 
 
4.8
 
 
29
19
 
 
4.5
 
 
32
21
 
 
4.1
 
 
36
22
 
 
3.4
 
 
41
26
 
 
3
 
 
46
30
 
 
2.4
 
 
54
38
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interior Alaska</span> Geographic region

Interior Alaska is the central region of Alaska's territory, roughly bounded by the Alaska Range to the south and the Brooks Range to the north. It is largely wilderness. Mountains include Denali in the Alaska Range, the Wrangell Mountains, and the Ray Mountains. The native people of the interior are Alaskan Athabaskans. The largest city in the interior is Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city, in the Tanana Valley. Other towns include North Pole, just southeast of Fairbanks, Eagle, Tok, Glennallen, Delta Junction, Nenana, Anderson, Healy and Cantwell. The interior region has an estimated population of 113,154.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polar climate</span> Climate classification

The polar climate regions are characterized by a lack of warm summers but with varying winters. Every month a polar climate has an average temperature of less than 10 °C (50 °F). Regions with a polar climate cover more than 20% of the Earth's area. Most of these regions are far from the equator and near the poles, and in this case, winter days are extremely short and summer days are extremely long. A polar climate consists of cool summers and very cold winters, which results in treeless tundras, glaciers, or a permanent or semi-permanent layer of ice. It is identified with the letter E in the Köppen climate classification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Verkhoyansk</span> Town in Sakha Republic, Russia

Verkhoyansk is a town in Verkhoyansky District of the Sakha Republic, Russia, located on the Yana River in the Arctic Circle, 92 kilometers (57 mi) from Batagay, the administrative center of the district, and 675 kilometers (419 mi) north of Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha republic. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 1,311. Verkhoyansk holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded north of the Arctic Circle, with 38.0 °C (100.4 °F), and it also holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Asia, −67.8 °C (−90.0 °F). The cold record is shared with Oymyakon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental climate</span> Köppen climate category

Continental climates often have a significant annual variation in temperature. They tend to occur in central and eastern parts of the three northern-tier continents, typically in the middle latitudes, often within large landmasses, where prevailing winds blow overland bringing some precipitation, and temperatures are not moderated by oceans. Continental climates occur mostly in the Northern Hemisphere due to the large landmasses found there. Most of northeastern China, eastern and southeastern Europe, much of Russia south of the Arctic Circle, central and southeastern Canada, and the central and northeastern United States have this type of climate. Continentality is a measure of the degree to which a region experiences this type of climate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mediterranean climate</span> Type of climate

A Mediterranean climate, also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as Cs, is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes. Such climates typically have dry summers and wet winters, with summer conditions being hot and winter conditions typically being mild. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Köppen climate classification</span> Climate classification system

The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (arid), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). Each group and subgroup is represented by a letter. All climates are assigned a main group. All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation subgroup. For example, Af indicates a tropical rainforest climate. The system assigns a temperature subgroup for all groups other than those in the A group, indicated by the third letter for climates in B, C, D, and the second letter for climates in E. For example, Cfb indicates an oceanic climate with warm summers as indicated by the ending b. Climates are classified based on specific criteria unique to each climate type.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oceanic climate</span> Climate classification

An oceanic climate, also known as a marine climate or maritime climate, is the temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification represented as Cfb, typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool to warm summers and cool to mild winters, with a relatively narrow annual temperature range and few extremes of temperature. Oceanic climates can be found in both hemispheres generally between 40 and 60 degrees latitude, with subpolar versions extending to 70 degrees latitude in some coastal areas. Other varieties of climates usually classified together with these include subtropical highland climates, represented as Cwb or Cfb, and subpolar oceanic or cold subtropical highland climates, represented as Cfc or Cwc. Subtropical highland climates occur in some mountainous parts of the subtropics or tropics, some of which have monsoon influence, while their cold variants and subpolar oceanic climates occur near polar or tundra regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humid continental climate</span> Category in the Köppen climate classification system

A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers, and cold and snowy winters. Precipitation is usually distributed throughout the year, but often these regions do have dry seasons. The definition of this climate in terms of temperature is as follows: the mean temperature of the coldest month must be below 0 °C (32.0 °F) or −3 °C (26.6 °F) depending on the isotherm, and there must be at least four months whose mean temperatures are at or above 10 °C (50 °F). In addition, the location in question must not be semi-arid or arid. The cooler Dfb, Dwb, and Dsb subtypes are also known as hemiboreal climates. Although amount of snowfall is not a factor used in defining the humid continental climate, snow during the winter in this type of climate is almost a guarantee, either intermittently throughout the winter months near the poleward or coastal margins, or persistently throughout the winter months elsewhere in the climate zone.

In climatology, the term microthermal is used to denote the continental climates of Eurasia and North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seni, Nagqu</span> District in Tibet, China

Seni District is a district within the Nagqu of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Peru</span>

Climate of Peru describes the diverse climates of this large South American country with an area of 1,285,216 km2 (496,225 sq mi). Peru is located entirely in the tropics but features desert and mountain climates as well as tropical rainforests. Elevations above sea level in the country range from −37 to 6,778 m and precipitation ranges from less than 20 mm (0.79 in) annually to more than 8,000 mm (310 in). There are three main climatic regions: the Pacific Ocean coast is one of the driest deserts in the world but with some unique features; the high Andes mountains have a variety of microclimates depending on elevation and exposure and with temperatures and precipitation from temperate to polar and wet to dry; and the Amazon basin has tropical climates, mostly with abundant precipitation, along with sub-tropical climates in elevations above 1,550 m (5,090 ft).

Galuut is a sum (district) of Bayankhongor Province in southern Mongolia. In 2006, its population was 4,012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Alaska</span>

Alaska occupies the northwestern portion of the North American continent and is bordered only by Canada on the east. It is one of two U.S. states not bordered by another state; Hawaii is the other. Alaska has more ocean coastline than all of the other U.S. states combined. About 500 miles (800 km) of Canadian territory consisting of British Columbia separate Alaska from Washington U.S. state. Alaska is thus an exclave of the United States that is part of the continental U.S. and the U.S. West Coast, but is not part of the contiguous U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Alaska</span>

The climate of Alaska is determined by average temperatures and precipitation received statewide over many years. The extratropical storm track runs along the Aleutian Island chain, across the Alaska Peninsula, and along the coastal area of the Gulf of Alaska which exposes these parts of the state to a large majority of the storms crossing the North Pacific. The climate in Juneau and the southeast panhandle is a mid-latitude oceanic climate, in the southern sections and a subarctic oceanic climate in the northern parts. The climate in Southcentral Alaska is a subarctic climate due to its short, cool summers. The climate of the interior of Alaska is best described as extreme and is the best example of a true subarctic climate, as the highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska have both occurred in the interior. The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is an Arctic climate with long, cold winters, and cool summers where snow is possible year-round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of the United States</span>

The climate of the United States varies due to changes in latitude, and a range of geographic features, including mountains and deserts. Generally, on the mainland, the climate of the U.S. becomes warmer the farther south one travels, and drier the farther west, until one reaches the West Coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Chile</span>

The climate of Chile comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale, extending across 38 degrees in latitude, making generalizations difficult. According to the Köppen system, Chile within its borders hosts at least seven major climatic subtypes, ranging from low desert in the north, to alpine tundra and glaciers in the east and southeast, tropical rainforest in Easter Island, Oceanic in the south and Mediterranean climate in central Chile. There are four seasons in most of the country: summer, autumn, winter, and spring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Russia</span>

The climate of Russia is formed under the influence of several determining factors. The enormous size of the country and the remoteness of many areas from the sea result in the dominance of the continental climate, which is prevalent in European and Asian Russia except for the tundra and the extreme southwest. Mountains in the south obstructing the flow of warm air masses from the Indian Ocean and the plain of the west and north makes the country open to Arctic and Atlantic influences. Russia's climate, despite its enormous geographical extent, is generally warm to hot in the summer and cold to very cold in the winter, with snow cover typically present over the vast majority of the country's territory in the winter months, with the exception of the country's southernmost territories, the North Caucasus. Russia's far northeast, subject to an extreme subarctic climate, experiences the coldest winters of any permanently settled region in the world, with Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha Republic, being the world's coldest major city and Oymyakon, also in the Sakha Republic, being the world's coldest permanently inhabited settlement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Norway</span>

The climate of Norway is more temperate than could be expected for such high latitudes. This is mainly due to the North Atlantic Current with its extension, the Norwegian Current, raising the air temperature; the prevailing southwesterlies bringing mild air onshore; and the general southwest–northeast orientation of the coast, which allows the westerlies to penetrate into the Arctic. The January average in Brønnøysund is 15.8C (28.6F) higher than the January average in Nome, Alaska, even though both towns are situated on the west coast of the continents at 65°N. In July the difference is reduced to 3.2C (5.8F). The January average of Yakutsk, in Siberia but slightly further south, is 42.3C (76.1F) lower than in Brønnøysund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of Estonia</span>

Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and in the transition zone between maritime and continental climate. Because Estonia is continuously warmed by maritime air influenced by the heat content of the northern Atlantic Ocean, it has a milder climate despite its northern latitude. The Baltic Sea causes differences between the climate of coastal and inland areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selenge–Orkhon forest steppe</span> Ecoregion in Mongolia

The Selenge–Orkhon forest steppe ecoregion stretches across north central Mongolia, and follows the Selenga River northeast into Russia. The ecoregion is itself at high elevations, but surrounded by higher mountain ranges. As a transition zone between taiga and steppe, it features conifer forests on the north slopes of mountains, and pine/aspen stands on southern slopes. It has an area of 227,660 square kilometres (87,900 sq mi).

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