Humid Continental Climate (Dfa, Dfb)

Latitude/Longitude = 41.9^o N; 87.5^o W
Average Annual Temperature (^oC) =10.3
Annual Temperature Range (^oC) =29.2
Total Annual Precipitation (mm) =904.4
Summer Precipitation (mm) = 545.5
Winter Precipitation (mm) = 358.9

Temperate forest of Wisconsin. The humid continental climate supports a diversity of ecosystems, from temperate deciduous forests to parklands and grasslands. Alfisols and mollisols are the dominant soils, though spodosols can be found where coniferous vegetation flourishes.

(Photo credit: M. Ritter)

Geographic Distribution

Warm Summer Subtype

• Eastern and Midwestern U.S. from Atlantic coast to 100th meridian.

• east central Europe.

• northern China.

• northern Korea.

 

Cool Summer Subtype

• New England, Great Lakes region.

• south and central Canada.

• Scandinavia, eastern Europe, Russia

Controlling Factors

• Cyclonic, polar front storm systems.

• Prevailing westerlies dominate.

• Continentality;

• Polar anticyclone in winter.

• cP, mT, mP modified, cA (rare but on poleward limits) air masses

 Characteristics

Warm Summer Subtype:

• Hot humid summers; occasional winter cold waves.

• Large annual temperature ranges.

• Weather variability.

Cool Summer Subtype:

• Moderate summers; long cold winters.

• Large annual temperature ranges.

• Variable weather.

• Less precipitation than warm summer subtype.