Köppen Climate Classification - Csc - Mediterranean Cold Summer Climate

Ruth Ann Reyes

Latitudes: Usually between latitudes of 30° and 45°.

 

Temperatures: Fewer than four months with mean temperature at or above 10 °C (50 °F). Winter mean monthly temperature does not drop below freezing.

 

Precipitation: Dry summer climate. Summer months with less than 30 mm (1.2 in) of precipitation. Summer will contain one-third (or less) the precipitation of the wettest winter month.

 

Relevant geography: Exists in high-elevation areas adjacent to coastal Mediterranean Warm/Cool Summer Climate (Csb) areas, where strong maritime influence moderates winter temps.

 

USDA equivalent zones: 9-10

 

Soil: Usually ranging from slightly acidic to moderately alkaline. Generally deficient in humus.

 

Dominant plant life of the region: Low, tough brush (chaparral); scrub woodlands.

 

Strengths/challenges for plant life: Dry summers can cause drought and wildfire conditions. Wet winters can bring floods. Plants that can conserve water also have an advantage here.

 

Garden plants that are a good fit for this region: The “Mediterranean trinity” - wheat, grapes, olives. Culinary herbs.

 

Dominant animal life (or its features): A wild variety of animals live in this climate. Some of these include goats, jackals, rabbits, and various birds of prey.

 

Challenges for animal raising: Animals must be able to handle long, dry summers.

 

Animals that are a good fit for this region: Goats, cattle, sheep, horses, rabbits.

 

Note: This climate is rare - predominantly found in climate fringes and isolated areas of Cascades and Andes Mountains. Rare instances can be found in some coastal locations in North Atlantic and high altitudes in Hawaii.

 

Summary

Wow! You live in a rare climate type! The Mediterranean cold summer climate only exists in a few places on Earth. It is mostly found at high elevations in Washington, Oregon, and California. It can also be found in regions of the Andes in Chile and Argentina, and small areas of Corsica. Balmaceda, Chile is one of the few towns to have this climate.

 

The cold summer mediterranean climate falls mostly between latitudes of 30° and 45°, and at elevated areas surrounded by warmer version of the mediterranean climate. It is roughly equivalent to USDA plant hardiness zone 6. Your summers are cool, with fewer than four months with mean temperature at or above 10 °C (50 °F). Winters are cool with rain or snow. A strong maritime influence keeps the average winter temp from dropping below freezing.

 

The weather pattern of Mediterranean regions is caused by subtropical high-pressure systems. A subtropical ridge extends northwards during the summer but moves southward in the winter, due to increasing temperature differences. Elevation is the most common reason for your climate being cooler than other Mediterranean climates.

 

Summer months are dry, but may have more precipitation than other versions of the Mediterranean climate.

 

Soils in your climate zone can range from slightly acidic to moderately alkaline. They are generally deficient in humus. The dominant plant life of the region is low, tough bushes (chaparral) and scrub woodland.

 

Drought tolerant gardens excel here, though with supplemental watering many plants can grow. The most famous group of plants to try growing in this region is the “Mediterranean trinity” - wheat, grapes, and olives. Culinary herbs are also well suited to this climate. Though your climate does not experience extremes of cold, selecting more cool weather friendly varieties of plants may be advantageous.

 

Due to the dry conditions, fungal diseases are less common here. However, a garden environment is often wetter than the surrounding land and may invite disease if you are not cautious. Dry summer also bring the risk of wildfires. Wet winters can sometimes bring flooding.

 

The Mediterranean climate features a wide variety of animal life. Among some of them are goats, jackals, rabbits, and various birds of prey.

 

This climate is also well suited to raising livestock. Chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, and rabbits are all compatible your zone. Due to the geography that frequently causes this climate zone, flat areas for grazing may be less available.