Eleanor Finch
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone. It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The subarctic climate is characterised by bitterly cold winters and mild summers, resulting in the largest annual temperature range of any climate on Earth. Annual precipitation totals are typically low, with most of the precipitation occurring during the summer months. The subarctic region experiences the lowest temperatures outside of Antarctica, and the long winter season makes the ground unsuitable for agriculture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone |
| Areas covered | Parts of North America (Newfoundland to Alaska), Europe, and Asia |
| Climate | Winters are bitterly cold with little precipitation; summers are mild with long days and a prevalence of frontal precipitation |
| Annual temperature range | The largest of any climate on Earth, ranging from 40° to 50°C in winter to 25°C in summer |
| Annual precipitation | Less than 50 cm (20 inches) in most areas, with higher totals in coastal areas and near warm ocean currents |
| Vegetation | Low diversity, with only hardy tree species such as pines and conifers able to survive |
| Agriculture | Poor agricultural potential due to infertile soils, swamps, and short growing seasons; some agriculture is possible during the long summer days |
| Köppen climate subtypes | Dfc, Dfd, Dwc, and Dwd |
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What You'll Learn
- The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere
- It stretches from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone
- It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia
- The subarctic climate is dominated by long, cold winters and short, mild summers
- Annual precipitation is mostly less than 50 cm, with higher totals in coastal areas
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere
The subarctic region's weather is largely influenced by depressions, which are weak during the summer but prominent in the winter. The Alaskan area, for instance, is north of the main depression tracks, while northern Norway is impacted by frontal depressions moving into the Barents Sea. The subarctic region also includes coastal areas, where the heaviest precipitation typically occurs during the autumn months when the sea is relatively warmer than the land. These coastal subarctic climates can support farming if precipitation is not excessive, as the winters are milder and permafrost is absent.
The subarctic region's vegetation is generally of low diversity due to the long winters and short growing seasons. Only hardy tree species, such as pines and conifers, can survive in these conditions. The agricultural potential in the subarctic region is generally poor due to the natural infertility of soils, the prevalence of swamps and lakes left by retreating ice sheets, and the short summers that limit crop growth. However, the long summer days at high latitudes do permit some agricultural activities.
The subarctic climate is classified into several subtypes, such as Dfc, Dfd, Dwc, and Dwd in the Köppen-Geiger-Pohl system. The Dwc and Dwd subtypes, characterised by dry winters, are found in eastern Siberia and its peripheral areas influenced by the Siberian anticyclone. Additionally, climates classified as Dsc or Dsd, with dry summers, occur in small areas at high elevations around the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, and the Northwestern United States.
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It stretches from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere. It stretches from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The subarctic climate is characterised by long, cold winters and mild summers, resulting in the largest annual temperature range of any climate on Earth. The annual precipitation in the subarctic is generally low, with totals of less than 50 cm (about 20 inches) and higher amounts occurring in coastal areas or at high elevations.
The subarctic region experiences a very large range of annual temperatures due to its distance from the moderating influence of the ocean. During the summer, the region is dominated by the Westerlies and cyclonic activity, while in the winter, the Polar High and Easterlies prevail. The subarctic climate is found in high-latitude continental interiors, between 50° to 70° latitude. It is north of the humid continental climate and south of the polar tundra, with the warmest month having an average temperature of less than 10°C (50°F).
The subarctic region includes areas such as Alaska, northern Scandinavia, Siberia, and northern Norway. The weather in these areas can vary, with some northern regions having milder winters due to their proximity to the ocean. The subarctic climate is known for its long winters, with the ground remaining frozen for most of the year. The short summers in the subarctic are characterised by long days, with temperatures rising above 25°C (77°F) during the day and dropping to 10°C (50°F) in the evening.
The subarctic region has low agricultural potential due to the infertility of soils, the presence of swamps and lakes, and the short growing seasons. However, the long summer days at high latitudes do allow for some agricultural activities. The vegetation in the subarctic is generally of low diversity, with only hardy tree species such as coniferous trees being able to survive the long winters and take advantage of the short summers.
The subarctic climate grades into a tundra climate in the polar regions, which is not suitable for trees. The temperate zones, on the other hand, are located between the tropics and the polar regions, spanning between 35 and 50 north and south latitudes. These zones have distinct seasonal changes and typically feature four seasons, with warmer summers and colder winters.
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It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone. It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
In North America, the subarctic climate extends from Alaska to Newfoundland. In Europe, the subarctic region includes northern parts of Scandinavia and Russia, as well as Iceland. In Asia, the subarctic region covers most of Siberia, with parts of eastern Siberia experiencing distinct dry seasons in winter. The subarctic region also includes northern Norway, Sakhalin Oblast, and Kamchatka Oblast, which have milder winters due to their proximity to oceans.
The subarctic climate is characterised by long, cold winters and short, mild summers, resulting in the largest annual temperature range of any climate on Earth. The long winter season experiences little precipitation, which mostly occurs in the form of snow. The summer months, on the other hand, see an increase in precipitation, especially in coastal areas influenced by warm ocean currents.
The subarctic region experiences a wide range of annual temperatures due to its distance from the moderating influence of the ocean. The summer is dominated by Westerly winds and cyclonic activity, while the winter is influenced by the Polar High and Easterlies. The subarctic climate is the source region for continental polar air masses, contributing to its bitterly cold winters.
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The subarctic climate is dominated by long, cold winters and short, mild summers
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone. It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The subarctic climate is dominated by long, cold winters and short, mild summers.
The subarctic climate is characterised by a very large range in annual temperatures. Winters are bitterly cold, with average monthly temperatures below freezing for six to eight months. The ground is usually covered in snow for many months, and the frost-free season is very short, varying from about 45 to 100 days at most. During winter, the Alaskan area is north of the main depression tracks, and occluded fronts and upper troughs are prominent. Northern Norway, on the other hand, is affected by frontal depressions moving into the Barents Sea.
Summers in the subarctic are short and mild, with long days and a prevalence of frontal precipitation associated with maritime tropical air within travelling cyclones. Mean temperatures in summer rarely exceed 16 °C (61 °F), except in interior regions where values near 25 °C (77 °F) are possible. Despite the short summers, the long summer days at such latitudes permit some agriculture. The summer warmth is also insufficient to thaw more than a few feet of soil and subsoil, which have frozen solidly during the long winter. As a result, permafrost prevails under most areas not near the southern boundary of this climate zone.
The total annual precipitation in the subarctic is fairly small, amounting to no more than 380 mm (15 inches) to 500 mm (20 inches) over the year. Most of the precipitation occurs during the summer months, except along the coasts, where heavier precipitation falls in the autumn. The subarctic climate has the largest annual temperature range of any climate on Earth, with annual ranges of up to 30 °C (54 °F) through much of the area and more than 60 °C (108 °F) in central Siberia.
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Annual precipitation is mostly less than 50 cm, with higher totals in coastal areas
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone. It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The subarctic climate is characterised by bitterly cold winters and mild summers, resulting in the largest annual temperature range of any climate on Earth. Annual precipitation totals are mostly less than 50 cm (about 20 inches), with a concentration in the summer months away from the coasts.
While the subarctic climate is typically dry, some coastal areas receive higher precipitation totals. Coastal areas with subarctic climates, such as southern Alaska, northern Norway, Sakhalin Oblast, and Kamchatka Oblast, can have milder winters and no permafrost due to the influence of the ocean. These coastal regions may be more suitable for farming unless precipitation is excessive.
Additionally, coastal areas of Khabarovsk Krai in Russia experience much higher precipitation in the summer due to orographic influences. The mountainous Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island receive even higher precipitation, creating large glaciers in Kamchatka. Similarly, Labrador in eastern Canada receives up to 51 inches of rainfall equivalent per year due to the influence of the semi-permanent Icelandic Low.
The subarctic climate is not conducive to agriculture due to the natural infertility of soils, the prevalence of swamps and lakes left by departing ice sheets, and short growing seasons. The long summer days at high latitudes do allow for some agricultural activity, although it is limited to the hardiest of crops.
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Frequently asked questions
The subarctic region is located in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the coniferous forests of the temperate zone. It includes parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
The subarctic climate is known for its long, cold winters and mild summers, resulting in the largest annual temperature range of any climate on Earth. It experiences low precipitation, with most of it occurring during the summer months. The vegetation in these regions is generally of low diversity, as only hardy tree species can survive.
The temperate climate occurs in the middle latitudes between the tropics and the polar regions. It typically features four distinct seasons, with warmer summers and colder winters. In contrast, the subarctic climate has bitterly cold winters and shorter summers.
Yes, there are several notable regions with subarctic climates. This includes northern North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland, northern Europe, including Scandinavia and northern Norway, and northern Asia, particularly Siberia.
