Humid Subtropical Climate (Cfa)

Latitude/Longitude = 35^o N; 90^o W
Average Annual Temperature (^oC) = 17
Annual Temperature Range (^oC) = 22
Total Annual Precipitation (mm) = 1222
Summer Precipitation (mm) = 536
Winter Precipitation (mm) = 686

The Sinks. Great Smoky Mountains, TN.

The ample precipitation and generally mild temperatures of the humid subtropical climate support a lush environment of temperate deciduous to temperate evergreen forests.

(Source:  USGS Digital Data Series DDS-21. Used with permission)

Geographic Distribution

• Southeastern U.S.

• southeastern South America;

• coastal southeast South Africa;

• eastern Australia;

• eastern Asia from northern India through south China to Japan.

Controlling Factors

• East coast location between 20^o and 40^o N and S latitudes.

• Humid (mTu air masses) onshore air movement in summer.

• Cyclonic storms in winter (cP air masses)

 Characteristics

• High humidity; summers like humid tropics.

• Frost with polar air masses in winter.

• 25 to 100 in of precipitation, decreasing inland.

• Monsoon influence in Asia.