Subarctic Climate (Dfc, Dfd)

Latitude/Longitude = 62.1^o N; 129.49^o W
Average Annual Temperature (^oC) = -10.08
Annual Temperature Range (^oC) = 63
Total Annual Precipitation (mm) =213
Summer Precipitation (mm) = 157
Winter Precipitation (mm) = 56

Snow covered coniferous forest, typical natural vegetation of the Subarctic climate. Conical shape of tree helps capture insolation at low angles.

Photo credit: T. Smylie, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Photo from the World Biomes CD-ROM, Optilearn Inc, Stevens Point, WI. Used with permission

Geographical Distribution

• Northern N. America from Newfoundland to Alaska;

• Northern Eurasia from Scandinavia through most of Siberia.

• Virtually nonexistent in the Southern Hemisphere

Controlling Factors

• Location in the higher middle latitudes (50^o to 70^o ).

• Westerlies in summer; strong polar anticyclone and Easterlies in winter.

• Occasional cyclonic storms.

• Extreme continentality.

• cP, cA, mP air masses

Characteristics

• Brief, cool summers; long, bitterly cold winters.

• Largest annual temperature ranges.

• Lowest temperatures outside of Antarctica.

Question for Thought

• Why do you think the Subarctic has colder temperatures, on average, than the tundra?