It is unlikely that anyone will deny the fact that the US climate is quite diverse, and one part of the country can be so dramatically different from the other that sometimes, traveling by plane, you willy-nilly begin to think about whether fate has thrown you to another state. From mountain peaks covered with snow caps, in just a few hours of flight you can find yourself in a desert in which cacti grow, and in especially dry years it is quite possible to die from thirst or extreme heat.
Many mistakenly believe that the climate of
South America and North is similar, i.e. they are repeated in a mirror image. This is nothing more than a delusion. Indeed, you must admit that weather conditions, especially within the framework of the year, are formed not only depending on the location of the continent. A huge role in this process also belongs to local vegetation, the presence or absence of cold or warm currents, the height of the mountains and the presence of lowlands.
So what is the climate in the USA as a whole? What to expect from the weather in different seasons? Let's try to figure it out together.
Section 1. General Information
Vast territories of the United States have diverse climatic conditions. Here you can find regions with almost any weather characteristics.
According to experts, a significant influence on the climate of the United States is nevertheless exerted by the geographical location of one or another part of the country.
The formation of the type of seasonal weather within the same belt depends on the terrain, ocean currents and other factors. The main area of the state, located to the south, is in the subtropical zone, in the north, the climate of America has all the features of a moderate type.
Hawaii and southern Florida belong to the tropic zone; Alaska is characterized by the weather of the polar regions of the Earth. The foothill plateau of the United States is characterized by a semi-desert climate, and the California coast is characterized by a Mediterranean climate. The highlands of the Great Basin and the area around it are located in the arid climate zone.
By the way, it is unlikely that anyone will deny the fact that it was favorable weather conditions that played a huge role in the settlement of this continent.
Section 2. Climate of the USA and features of its formation
A significant effect on the amount of precipitation is exerted by a high-altitude jet stream with air currents, bringing moisture from the North Pacific Ocean.
US climate types |
Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, North Dakota and partly New York. | humid continental |
Iowa, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio and South Dakota | hot continental |
South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, most of Florida and Virginia, Arkansas and Alabama. | humid subtropical |
Utah, South Dakota, Texas, North Dakota, Oregon, New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, Colorado, Casas, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona and Idaho | semi-arid (arid) |
Utah, Nevada, California and Arizona | arid |
US West Coast (Washington and Oregon) | nautical |
California | Mediterranean |
Rocky mountains, pacific belt | Alpine |
South Florida Coast | monsoon |
Hawaii | tropical |
Alaska | subarctic, arctic |
Scientists believe that the climate of North America (Table 1) is diverse mainly due to the following factors.
Wet winds irrigate the west coast of the USA. It often rains in the northwest, and these areas are distinguished by the snowiest winters. In California, most of the precipitation falls in autumn and winter, in the summer it is dry and hot. That is why it is believed that the climate of the western United States is often liked by immigrants from central Russia. The weather here practically does not change, and the change of seasons is clear and logical.
All the moisture is absorbed by the Cascade and Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and as a result, the so-called rain shadow forms, affecting the weather in the west of the Great Plains.
By the way, not everyone knows that it was the rain shadow that also influenced the appearance of the Death Valley and the desert of the Great Basin. When a high-altitude jet stream collides with the air currents of the Gulf of Mexico, severe storms and thunderstorms arise. Depending on the type of air mass, a change in air temperature occurs. It can rise or fall.
Section 3. Drought
Hot weather with low rainfall over a long period leads to droughts, which are common in the United States and have serious consequences.
But much, of course, depends on the location of one or another part of the country. For example, the climate of North America (Table 1) has less impact on heat than on the rest of the territory, but the country is still exposed to cataclysms to a large extent.
For example, the drought between 1931 and 1940, dubbed the Dusty Cauldron, almost destroyed all the Great Plains farms. A cataclysm of such proportions was also observed in 1999-2004.
But the last drought that happened in California was the most severe and led to the drying out of Lake Folsom, where traces of the settlement of the Gold Rush period were discovered. A state of emergency has been declared in some areas of the state. Arid weather reduced water reserves in the State Water Project reservoir system, and more than 25 million people were left without water.
Section 4. The Most Destructive Tornadoes
The United States leads in the number of tornadoes, which are a feature of the state’s climate. Such tornadoes lead to human and material losses. Special sirens inform about the approach of the tornado, and all houses are equipped with shelters. The cause of atmospheric vortices is the collision of warm and cold air masses. Most often, tornadoes are found on the so-called Tornado Alley, uniting areas where these natural phenomena are common.
In April this year, Tupelo in the state of Mississippi struck a powerful tornado, the victims of which were more than 20 people. The elements also touched other US states, as a result of which dozens of people died and were injured, houses and communications lines were destroyed.
Section 5. American Hurricanes
Hurricanes are a natural phenomenon that is often found in a given country. US climate contributes to their education.
The areas of the east coast, Hawaiian islands and the southern states on the border with the Gulf of Mexico are especially affected by this element. The hurricane season lasts from June to December. The main blow falls on the period from August to October. The five most powerful hurricanes include Katrina, Ike, Wilma, Ivan and Charlie.
Leading among them is Hurricane Katrina. The element at the end of August 2005 became the most destructive in the history of the United States. New Orleans in Louisiana suffered the most. More than 80% of the city’s area was under water, more than 1800 people died, the damage from the disaster amounted to 125 billion US dollars.
The fifth hurricane of the 2008 season was Ike, which received a 4th degree of risk on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm hit the southeast coast of the United States, the wind speed reached more than 130 km per hour. The epicenter of the hurricane was 1150 km southeast of the city of Wilmington (North Carolina). Disaster damage totaled $ 30 billion.
Rather intense and unprofitable tropical cyclone was the hurricane "Wilma". In 2005, he was the sixth in power and brought serious damage. The main power of the hurricane fell on the Yucatan Peninsula and Florida. Killed about 62 people, and economic damage amounted to 29 billion US dollars.
Section 6. Floods in the USA
Many floods occur during severe hurricanes. U.S. landforms also affect their appearance. For example, a thunderstorm can quickly fill the canyon and raise the water level. Heavy rains can also cause flooding, due to which landslides often occur.
The largest flood occurred in May 2011, affecting 8 US states. The water level in the Mississippi River rose several times, rapidly increasing flow. The disaster nearly destroyed the city of New Orleans. The width of the river in Tennessee has increased 6 times and flooded a huge area. And the Cumberland River, which overflowed the banks, led to the death of people and caused enormous material damage.
Section 7. Where are earthquakes most likely to occur?
The entire area of the west coast of North America belongs to the zone of the so-called Pacific Fire Belt, where many earthquakes occur. This area also includes territory from Alaska to southern California. Volcanoes are especially active in the Cascade Mountains in the northwestern United States. But volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, known for their volcanoes, is not so dangerous for residents.
The strongest earthquake in the last century happened recently in Washington. The shocks were felt by more than 12 million people. Virginia became the epicenter . There was no particular damage. But if the epicenter was close to Washington or New York, then the consequences could be much more serious. Seismologists call these vibrations mysterious and consider them an alarming sign.
Section 8. Climate Change
As you can see from the information presented above, the types of climate in North America are very diverse, but they can not be called stable. Why? The fact is that from year to year, experts note significant changes.
So, studies of ice crystals in the air showed that the atmospheric CO 2 content increased by 40%. According to scientists, this is due to human activities. Despite the fact that CO 2 is a constituent element of air, a person violates the natural cycle of carbon when burning fossil fuels, and its excess enters the environment. Excess CO2 in the future may lead to an increase in temperature not only in a given country, but also on the entire surface of the Earth as a whole.
Compared to the past decade, the rate of increase in average temperature has slowed. But this phenomenon does not cancel other global changes in temperature indicators.
A warming of several degrees can be a serious cause for alarm. Even a slight deviation affects the change in territorial temperature and precipitation, and also increases the number of extreme natural phenomena.