Midlatitude Steppe (BSk)

Average Annual Temperature (^oC) = 6.1
Annual Temperature Range (^oC) = 35.5
Total Annual Precipitation (mm) = 404.6
Summer Precipitation (mm) =362.8
Winter Precipitation (mm) = 44.1

Sheep grazing on grass the eastern confines of the Horquin Desert (Inner Mongolia).

Photo Credit: J.Y. Piel FAO #17947 
Used with permission

Geographic Distribution

• Inner Asia;
• Western U.S.

Controlling Factors

• Essentially the same as deserts;
• Transitional to humid climates;
• Leeward orographic influence (rainshadow)

Characteristics

• Semiarid
• Rainfall distribution similar to nearest humid climate
• Temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and continentality
• Larger temperature range than Tropical Steppe
• More precipitation than Tropical Steppe