Climate Zones Unveiled
An academic exploration of the humid subtropical climate, detailing its characteristics, global distribution, and climatic data for key regions.
What is it? 👇 Explore Regions 🌍Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Introduction
Defining Humid Subtropical
A humid subtropical climate is a classification within the temperate climate zone, distinguished by long, hot, and humid summers, alongside cool to mild winters. These climates typically reside on the southeastern sides of continents, generally situated between latitudes 25° and 35°, positioning them poleward of tropical climates and equatorward of humid continental or oceanic climates.[1]
Classification Systems
Under the Köppen climate classification, climates designated as Cfa and Cwa represent warm temperate conditions where the mean temperature of the coldest month falls between 0 °C (32 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F).[2] Some climatologists further refine this, describing the southernmost temperate zones as "humid subtropical," often characterized by mean coldest month temperatures above 7.6 °C (45 °F) and hottest month means exceeding 23.8 °C (75 °F).[2] The Trewartha classification specifically identifies humid subtropical climates as those with at least eight months averaging above 10 °C (50 °F), differentiating them from climates with more pronounced tropical characteristics.[3]
Geographic Influence
While often found in coastal regions and eastern lowlands, these climates can extend significantly inland and to higher latitudes, notably in China and the interior of the United States. In these areas, seasonal variations can be more pronounced, with sharper contrasts between summer and winter conditions compared to coastal locales.[citation needed]
Key Characteristics
Summer Conditions
Summers are typically long, hot, and humid. The dominance of tropical air masses during the high sun period leads to frequent, intense convective thunderstorms. These daily downpours are a hallmark of the season, driven by strong solar heating.
Winter Conditions
Winter months generally experience mild temperatures. However, in the more poleward regions of the humid subtropical zone, winters can become notably cool. While snowfall is infrequent in many areas, it can occur, particularly in inland or higher-latitude locations, though typically it does not persist for extended periods.
Precipitation Patterns
Rainfall often exhibits a summer peak, especially in regions influenced by monsoonal circulations, such as South Asia. Weak tropical lows and occasional tropical cyclones contribute significantly to summer rainfall totals in areas like Florida and eastern Australia. While winters are generally drier, some interior regions, particularly in the southern United States, receive moderate winter precipitation.
Global Distribution
Africa
Humid subtropical climates are primarily found in southeastern Africa. The Cwa variant (dry winter) dominates interior regions of Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia, as well as parts of the Ethiopian Highlands. Coastal South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape) also experiences this climate, often with milder, more oceanic influences.
Asia
In East Asia, this climate covers southeastern China, northern Taiwan, southern and central Japan, and southern Korea. The influence of the Siberian anticyclone leads to cooler winters than in other regions. South Asia exhibits a distinct variant, with hot summers preceding a monsoon season, often featuring characteristics of semi-arid climates before the rains arrive. Western Asia features narrow coastal strips along the Caspian and Black Seas with humid subtropical conditions, though summers are cooler and winter snowfall is more common.
North America
The humid subtropical climate is widespread across the southeastern United States, extending inland further than in other continents. It also appears along the Pacific coast of North America, particularly in California, where it transitions towards a Mediterranean climate.
Australia & South America
Eastern Australia, including cities like Brisbane and Sydney, experiences humid subtropical conditions. In South America, these climates are found in southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, northeastern Argentina, and Paraguay, often influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.
Koppen Classification
Cfa: Fully Humid, Hot Summer
This designation signifies a climate with no significant dry season and hot summers. The mean temperature of the warmest month is above 22 °C (71.6 °F). This is the most common type of humid subtropical climate found globally.
Cwa: Dry Winter, Hot Summer
Characterized by hot summers and dry winters, this subtype is particularly prevalent in East Asia due to the influence of monsoonal winds. The dry winter season is a key distinguishing feature compared to the Cfa classification.
Representative Climatic Data
Selected Global Locations
Below is a summary of climatic data for key cities representing the humid subtropical climate. Note that specific conditions can vary based on local geography and proximity to large bodies of water.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "Humid Subtropical Climate" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional meteorological consultation, climate analysis, or geographical assessment. Always consult with qualified experts for specific applications or interpretations of climate data.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.