(8) Marine West-Coast Climate Type (Köppen Cfb and Cfc)

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On middle latitude west coasts, at higher latitudes to be out of the influence of SubTropical High pressure cells

E Hemisphere: Northwestern Europe, tip of SE Australia, New Zealand 

W Hemisphere: Southern Chile in S America, coastal B.C., Washington, Oregon, far N. California

  • Where mountains are present, west coast zone is narrow; mountains create rain shadows on their interior sides; hence different climates

  • These narrow climate zones are at high enough latitudes to be influenced little by the warm drying air from the subtropical high pressure cells

Vancouver, BC, 49° N latitude

  • Temperature greatly moderated by marine influence

  • There is an annual temperature cycle, but temperature range is muted

    • Vancouver temperature range = 27° F (15° C)

  • Precipitation is abundant -- Vancouver = 57 in (146 cm)

  • Distinct winter maximum in precipitation

    • Moist mP, marine Polar, dominates

    • Distinct summer rainfall minimum-- SubTropical High influence

  • Natural vegetation was dense needle forests; "rain" forests  

    • Olympic Rainforest of NW Washington remains

      • Some parts cut for lumber

  • National Park established to preserve this unique vegetation association

  • Vegetation supported a once intense forest products industry

 

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