Oceanic climate

An oceanic climate is a type of climate that is experienced on the western coasts located in the mid-latitude regions of the world. Other names for this type of climate include maritime climate, marine climate, highland climate, or west coast climate.

Definition

The oceanic climate or maritime climate is the type of climate that has cold and temperate winters and its summers are neither dry nor hot. It is a type of climate that falls into the Koppen Cfb classification, with a rainy season full of precipitations.

Characteristics of the oceanic climate

Among its main characteristics we can mention:

• It is present between the parallels 40 ° and 60 ° latitude north and south.
• Its average temperature is around 10 ° C.
• Its winters are modernly cold and summers are quite cool.
• They present significant amounts of rainfall.
• They are regions suitable for the development of livestock activity.
• Its rivers are mighty and are maintained throughout the year.
• It is a very humid climate so the presence of fog is frequent.

Landscape

The main plant formation of the oceanic landscape is the meadow , which is born after the felling of forests. They find optimal conditions for their growth in the oceanic climate and feed their livestock naturally . In the oceanic landscape of Great Britain, Ireland or the Cantabrian coast, the mild and fairly humid climate of the area favors the abundance of grass in the meadows for the development of cattle .

Fauna

The type of fauna that we find in the oceanic climate that ranges from birds , gulls , greenfinches , seals , rodents , badgers , deer , bears , foxes , wild boars . You can find a wide variety of fish, butterflies, moths and spiders. Many of the amphibians that we can find include frogs, toads, newts, and snakes.

Flora of the oceanic climate

We can find lush forests with deciduous , trees such as oak and beech. In some places the vegetation can become very lignified such as evergreen  and coniferous forests such as pines. In other places the flora has adapted to withstand the climate, for example in coniferous and  bore alpine forests . It is common to find succulents , palm trees and dragon trees.

Crops

The lands that are used for agriculture are located in the coastal plains and in the bottom of the valleys in the interior, so they are small . Traditionally, self – consumption polyculture has been practiced , sowing barley and rye . Garden- type crops are made of clover, corn, alfalfa, and corn. The forestry plays an important role within the industry.

Temperature

Regions that experience ocean climates have cold winters and fairly cool summers. The annual temperature range of these areas is relatively narrow , except in regions where the climate transitions to sub-arctic , highland or continental climates . According to the Köppen climate classification , the average temperature of marine climates during the coldest month is 0 ° C or more. During the warmest month, the average temperature is below 22 ° C. Therefore, summers are cooler in oceanic climates compared to continental climates.

Precipitation

Precipitation in oceanic climates is sufficient and is evenly distributed throughout the year. Regions with this climate do not have a dry season . Precipitation falls primarily in the form of rain , but some parts experience some snowfall each year during winter. The conditions of cloudiness and long rainy months are preponderant in climates marine . In parts of Australia and New Zealand, most of the places with the oceanic climate suffer the least storm of snow to the year. As you move towards the poles, locations within the maritime climate zone experience snowfall more frequently .

Where is it located

This type of climate is predominant in most parts of Western Europe where it extends further inland compared to other continents. It is also found in some regions of central Mexico , the southwestern part of South America , the northwestern coast found in the Pacific Northwest region, and the southeastern part of Australia , which includes New Zealand and Tasmania .

Countries with an oceanic climate

Some of the countries with oceanic climate by continent are the following:

• Europe : Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Norway, northern Spain , Portugal, Sweden.
• North and South America : Washington, Alaska, California, eastern Mexico, South America, Chile .
• Africa : Mossel Bay to the Western Cape.