Subtropical Climate: Warm, Humid Year-Round Weather

Subtropical climates have warm to hot summers and mild winters. They are always humid. These climates sit on the eastern sides of continents, between 20° and 35° N and S latitude.

The Köppen climate system calls these climates type C. There are two kinds: Cfa (humid subtropical) and Cwa (monsoon-influenced humid subtropical). Subtropical climates have a biotemperature between 16 to 18 °C and 24 °C. They are humid or even perhumid, with a potential evapotranspiration ratio less than 1.

These climates have unique temperature and precipitation patterns. Maritime tropical air and warm ocean currents play a big role. You can find subtropical climates in many places, like the southeastern United States, southeastern South America, and eastern Asia.

Even though they share some traits, subtropical climates can vary. Some have a monsoon influence, while others have big differences between summer and winter.

Key Takeaways

• Subtropical climates feature warm to hot summers and mild winters with high humidity year-round
• These climates are found on the eastern sides of continents between 20° and 35° N and S latitude
• The Köppen climate classification system categorizes subtropical climates as type C, with subtypes Cfa and Cwa
• Subtropical climates have a biotemperature between 16 to 18 °C and 24 °C and are humid or perhumid
• Regional variations in subtropical climates can include monsoon influence or more pronounced seasonal contrasts

Geographic Distribution of Subtropical Climates

Subtropical climates are found in many parts of the world. They sit between latitudes 23°26′10.0″ and 35° north and south. These climates have hot summers and mild winters with little frost. They are in the temperate zones in both hemispheres.

At high elevations in the tropics, subtropical climates can also exist. For example, in Mexico and Vietnam. A lot of the world’s deserts are in these zones because of the subtropical anticyclone.

The Mediterranean climate is a type of subtropical climate. It is on the western sides of continents. It has wet winters and dry summers.

Humid Subtropical Climate Locations

Humid subtropical climates are in many places worldwide. These include the southeastern United States, parts of South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, and China. This climate type has hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Summer is usually the wettest season in these climates. Winters are drier because of the westerlies and seasonal fronts.

This climate is on the east coast of continents between 20° and 40° N and S latitude. It includes:

• Southeastern United States
• Southeastern South America
• Coastal southeast South Africa
• Eastern Australia
• Eastern Asia from northern India through south China to Japan

Coastal and Inland Variations

Subtropical climates can be different depending on their location. In some places, like China and the United States, they show more seasonal changes. These changes are between hot tropical climates and colder areas to the north.

In humid subtropical climates, it rains more near the coast than inland. Monsoon rainfall is big in Asia, especially in China. This region has different climates, including monsoon climates.

Lakes and warm ocean currents create microclimates in subtropical areas. These factors affect temperatures and rainfall. They make the subtropical climates in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia diverse.

Controlling Factors of Subtropical Climate

Several key factors shape subtropical climates. These factors are crucial for the weather and environment in these regions. Subtropical areas are between 23.5° to 35° latitude in both hemispheres.

Influence of Maritime Tropical Air

Maritime tropical air is a big factor in subtropical climates. This warm, moist air affects cities like Brisbane, Atlanta, and Shanghai. It makes their summers warm and humid, often over 25°C.

Being near oceans or seas helps bring in this air. Warm ocean currents evaporate moisture, making the air more humid and unstable. This leads to more rain throughout the year, as seen in this article on climatic controls.

Effect of Warm Ocean Currents

Warm ocean currents also shape subtropical climates. These currents add heat and moisture to the air. This mix leads to thunderstorms and cyclonic storms, common in these areas.

The table below shows how warm ocean currents and maritime tropical air affect rainfall:

Southeast China gets more rain in summer due to monsoons. Southeast United States and East Australia also get a lot of rain. This is thanks to maritime tropical air and warm ocean currents.

But, subtropical climates can get cold in winter. Cold air from the north can bring frost or freezing temperatures. But these cold spells are not long-lasting in subtropical areas.

Distinguishing Characteristics of Subtropical Climate

Subtropical climates are known for their warm and humid weather all year. These areas sit between 23.5° and 35° latitude in both hemispheres. They have a unique temperature range and precipitation patterns that make them different from other climates. Cities like Brisbane in Australia, Atlanta in the United States, and Shanghai in China show what subtropical regions are like.

Summers in these areas are hot and humid, often over 25°C. The high humidity levels make the heat feel worse. The temperature doesn’t drop much at night. In contrast, winters are mild, with frost but not often.

According to Britannica, subtropical deserts are between 15° and 30° latitude. They have big daily temperature changes, up to 35°C (63°F).

Subtropical climates have wet and dry seasons. Humid subtropical areas get rain all year. They also face storms like hurricanes and typhoons. Dry subtropical areas get little rain, mostly in short bursts. Deserts like the Sahara and Kalahari are in these dry zones.

The mix of temperature, rain, and humidity in subtropical climates supports a wide range of plants and animals. As Flowers Gardenia points out, the warm and humid weather in places like Fort Lauderdale is perfect for tropical gardens. These gardens focus on bringing together different plants for a lively and diverse look.

Temperature Patterns in Subtropical Climates

Subtropical climates have warm summers and mild winters. They get their weather from moist air from the ocean. This air brings high temperatures and humidity all year.

Warm Summer Temperatures

In summer, subtropical areas get very hot. The warmest months average about 27°C (81°F). Temperatures can go from 30°C to 38°C (86°F to 100°F).

Nights are also warm and feel heavy with humidity. The heat in these places is intense and lasts a long time. People there need to get used to the hot and humid weather.

Mild Winter Temperatures

Winters in subtropical areas are mild. The coldest month is usually between 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F). Frosts happen, but they’re not as harsh as in other places.

This mild weather lets crops grow for a longer time. It also supports growing many different types of crops.

High Humidity and Heat Index

Subtropical climates are known for their high humidity. This makes the temperature feel even hotter. The heat index makes warm days feel unbearable.

This can lead to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. People use air conditioning and fans to stay cool indoors. They also avoid going outside when it’s very hot and drink plenty of water.

Precipitation in Subtropical Climates

Subtropical climates get about 100 cm (39 inches) of rain each year, spread out evenly. But, the amount can change a lot, from 75 to over 200 cm (30 to 79 inches). The humid subtropical climate gets a bit more rain in summer than winter. Most summer rain comes from thunderstorms.

Evenly Distributed Rainfall

Subtropical climates are known for steady rain all year. This rain helps many plants grow, like evergreen trees and palm trees. It also means plants can grow for up to 8 months in some places.

Convectional Thunderstorms

Summer brings big thunderstorms to subtropical areas. These storms start when the ground heats up, making air rise. As this air cools, it forms tall clouds that can bring heavy rain, lightning, and sometimes tornadoes or hail.

Monsoon Influence in Some Regions

In places like eastern and southern Asia, monsoons change the subtropical climate. This type of climate, called Cwa, has a dry winter and a big temperature difference between summer and winter. Places with this climate include:

• Mainland China near the Yangtze River
• Taiwan
• Japan
• South Korea
• Vietnam

In summer, these areas get a lot of rain from the monsoon. Winter is usually dry. The Siberian anticyclone also affects winter temperatures in these areas.

Tropical cyclones also bring rain in some subtropical areas. These storms form over warm oceans and can cause heavy rain and strong winds. In winter, rain comes mainly from storms along the polar front, where cold and warm air meet.

Conclusion

Subtropical climates are known for their warm to hot summers and mild winters. They have high humidity all year. These regions are on the eastern sides of continents, between 20° and 35° latitude in both hemispheres.

The weather in subtropical areas is mild in winter, with temperatures from 4.4°C to 12.8°C. The growing season lasts 7 to 12 months, with very little frost. This makes the climate perfect for many plants and animals.

Subtropical areas get between 75 cm to 150 cm of rain a year. In some places, it can get up to 250 cm. Coastal areas often have thunderstorms, especially in the Gulf states of the USA.

These regions are home to many different plants and animals. You can find evergreen trees, palms, pine trees, and fruit trees like coconuts, mangoes, and papayas. In India, you might see panthers, deer, capybaras, alligators, turtles, and snakes.

Gardeners in these areas do well with heat-tolerant crops like cherry tomatoes. But, cool-weather crops and leafy greens may not do as well. Using natural pest control, like companion planting and ladybugs, is a good idea in these climates.

Throughout history, the tropics have seen temperature and salinity changes. This has had a big impact on life there. Some argue that the tropics have stable temperatures, but others question the role of the atmosphere in these models.

Understanding subtropical climates is key for sustainable farming, protecting nature, and adapting to climate change in these areas.