Figure 17.13: This photo of the Great Basin in Utah illustrates the steppe biome. ( 26 )Moist Subtropical Mid-latitude (Group C)
TheMoist Subtropical Mid-latitude(Group C) climates are found along the coastal areas in
the United States. Seasons are distinct, although winters are mild. The average temperature
of the coldest month ranges from just below freezing to almost balmy, between -3°C and 18°C
(27oto 64°F). Summers are often mild with average temperatures above 10°C (50°F). There
is plentiful annual rainfall.
Dry Summer Subtropical or Mediterranean Climates (Cs)
TheDry Summer Subtropicalclimate is found on the western sides of continents between 30°
and 45° latitude. Annual rainfall is 30 to 90 cm (14 to 35 inches), most of which comes in
the winter. This climate is also called theMediterraneanclimate because it is found around
the Mediterranean Sea (Figure17.14). The climate is also typical of coastal California,
which sits beneath a summertime high pressure for about five months each year. Land
and sea breezes make winters moderate and summers cool. The mild winters and foggy
summers of San Francisco represent a coastal Mediterranean climate. Further inland in
Sacramento, summer temperatures are much higher, representing an interior Mediterranean
climate. Vegetation must survive long summer droughts. This vegetation type is called
chaparral. Scrubby, woody plants and trees are common (Figure17.15).