# Oceanic climate

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Climate classification

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Regions where oceanic or subtropical highland climates (Cfb, Cfc, Cwb, Cwc) are found.

An **oceanic climate**, also known as a **marine climate** or **maritime climate**, is the [temperate climate](/source/Temperate_climate) sub-type in [Köppen classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification) represented as ***Cfb*** or represented as ***Do*** under the [Trewartha climate classification](/source/Trewartha_climate_classification), typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring warm summers and cool to mild winters (for their latitude), with a relatively narrow annual [temperature](/source/Temperature) range and few extremes of temperature under Köppen's system or mediocre growing seasons with mild winters under Trewartha's.[1][2] Oceanic climates can be found in both hemispheres generally between 40 and 60 degrees latitude, with subpolar versions extending to 70 degrees latitude in some coastal areas and some hot-summer oceanic climates extending to just north of 35 degrees North latitude in North America and [Honshu](/source/Honshu) and just south of 35 degrees North latitude in [Mainland China](/source/Mainland_China) under the Trewartha classification. Other varieties of climates usually classified together with these under the Köppen system include **subtropical highland climates**, represented as ***Cwb*** or ***Cfb***, and **subpolar oceanic** or **cold subtropical highland climates**, represented as ***Cfc*** or ***Cwc***. Subtropical highland climates occur in some mountainous parts of the [subtropics](/source/Subtropics) or [tropics](/source/Tropics), some of which have [monsoon](/source/Monsoon) influence, while their cold variants and subpolar oceanic climates occur near [polar](/source/Polar_regions_of_Earth) or [tundra](/source/Tundra_climate) regions.

## Precipitation

Locations with oceanic climates tend to feature frequent cloudy conditions with precipitation, low-hanging clouds, and frequent fronts and storms. Thunderstorms are normally few except in the hot-summer *Doak* variety seen under the Trewartha climate classification system, since strong daytime heating and hot and cold air masses meet infrequently in the regions, but are more common in subtropical highland climates where these air masses meet more frequently due to the influence of hotter weather in the subtropics or tropics, especially in monsoon-influenced climates. In most areas with an oceanic climate, precipitation comes in the form of rain for the majority of the year. Most oceanic climate zones, however, experience at least one snowfall per year. Snowfall is more frequent and commonplace in the subpolar oceanic climates due to the colder weather in those locations.

## Temperature

### Under the Köppen climate classification system

Overall [temperature](/source/Temperature) characteristics of the oceanic climates feature cool temperatures and infrequent extremes of temperature. In the [Köppen climate classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification), oceanic climates have a mean temperature of 0 °C (32 °F) or higher (or −3 °C (27 °F) or higher) in the coldest month, compared to [continental climates](/source/Continental_climate) where the coldest month has a mean temperature of below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)). Summers are warm but not hot, with the warmest month having a mean temperature below 22 °C (72 °F).[1]

Poleward of the latter is a subtype of it, the subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen *Cfc*),[3] with long but relatively mild (for their latitude) winters, and cool and short summers with average temperatures of at least 10 °C (50 °F) for one to three months. Examples in the [Northern Hemisphere](/source/Northern_Hemisphere) include parts of coastal [Iceland](/source/Iceland), the coast of [Norway](/source/Norway) north of [Bodø](/source/Bod%C3%B8), the mountains of [Scotland](/source/Scotland), parts of [Shetland](/source/Shetland), and the [British Columbian](/source/British_Columbia) coast in [Canada](/source/Canada). In the [Southern Hemisphere](/source/Southern_Hemisphere), examples include extreme southern [Chile](/source/Chile) and [Argentina](/source/Argentina) (such as [Punta Arenas](/source/Punta_Arenas) and [Ushuaia](/source/Ushuaia)), the [Falkland Islands](/source/Falkland_Islands), parts of southeastern [Australia](/source/Australia), and much of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand).

### Under the Trewartha climate classification system

Oceanic climates are defined very differently under the [Trewartha climate classification](/source/Trewartha_climate_classification) system.[2]

In temperate areas, oceanic climates exist where four to seven months average at least 10 °C (50 °F) regardless of summer heat or lack thereof, so long as the coldest month averages at least 0 °C (32 °F). This allows some places with hot summers, such as [New York City](/source/New_York_City), the [District of Columbia](/source/District_of_Columbia), and [Louisville, Kentucky](/source/Louisville%2C_Kentucky), to have oceanic climates under the Trewartha system, although these climates are considered [humid subtropical](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate) under the Köppen system due to summer heat instead of the length of the growing season being the trigger for Köppen.

In boreal/subpolar areas, Trewartha defines areas like [Anchorage](/source/Anchorage) that have winters averaging over −10 °C (14 °F) as oceanic climates even if they are insufficiently mild to be classified as oceanic under Köppen too like [Reykjavík](/source/Reykjav%C3%ADk) is, as opposed to the freezing isotherm used in temperate climates. Nonetheless, Köppen and Trewartha concur on the summer temperature of a subpolar climate, with one to three months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F) being the trigger for both.

## Cause

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Oceanic climates are not necessarily found in coastal locations on the aforementioned parallels; however, in most cases oceanic climates parallel higher middle latitude oceans.[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] The polar [jet stream](/source/Jet_stream), which moves in a west to east direction across the middle latitudes, advances low pressure systems, storms, and fronts. In coastal areas of the higher middle latitudes (45–60° latitude), the prevailing onshore flow creates the basic structure of most oceanic climates. Oceanic climates are a product and reflection of the cool ocean adjacent to them. In the autumn, winter, and early spring, when the polar jet stream is most active, the frequent passing of marine weather systems creates the frequent fog, cloudy skies, and light drizzle often associated with oceanic climates. They are typically found poleward of [Mediterranean climates](/source/Mediterranean_climate), except in Australia where they are poleward of both such climates and [humid subtropical climates](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate) due to the shape of the continent.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Only in Europe do they penetrate far inland, where they eventually transition into warm-summer [humid continental climates](/source/Humid_continental_climate); in other continents, they are blocked by a large mountain range or limited by nearby oceans.[4]

In some parts of central and eastern North America such as the [Upland South](/source/Upland_South) and [Mid-Atlantic States](/source/Mid-Atlantic_States) regions, *Doak* climates under the Trewartha climate classification system exist as a transition between the [humid subtropical](/source/Humid_subtropical) climates further south and the hot-summer [humid continental climates](/source/Humid_continental_climate) seen further north, with growing seasons insufficiently long for a subtropical classification but winters too mild for a continental classification. Notable examples of such climates are [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis), [Louisville](/source/Louisville), the [District of Columbia](/source/District_of_Columbia) and [New York City](/source/New_York_City). A similar transition zone also exists in Japan.

The North Atlantic [Gulf Stream](/source/Gulf_Stream), a tropical oceanic current that passes north of the Caribbean and up the East Coast of the United States to [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina), then heads east-northeast to the [Grand Banks of Newfoundland](/source/Grand_Banks_of_Newfoundland), is thought to greatly modify the climate of northwest Europe.[5] As a result of the [North Atlantic Current](/source/North_Atlantic_Current), west coast areas located in high latitudes like Ireland, the UK, and Norway have much milder winters (for their latitude) than would otherwise be the case. The lowland attributes of western Europe also help drive marine air masses into continental areas, enabling cities such as [Dresden](/source/Dresden), [Prague](/source/Prague), and [Vienna](/source/Vienna) to have maritime climates in spite of being located well inland from the ocean.

## Locations

### Europe

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Amsterdam, Netherlands Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 67 6 1 55 7 1 52 10 3 40 14 5 54 18 9 65 20 11 82 23 14 99 22 13 84 19 11 87 15 8 85 10 5 82 7 2 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute[6] Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 2.6 43 34 2.2 44 34 2 50 37 1.6 58 41 2.1 64 47 2.6 69 52 3.2 73 56 3.9 72 56 3.3 67 52 3.4 58 46 3.4 50 40 3.2 44 35 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Oceanic climates in Europe occupy a large stretch of land, from [Norway](/source/Norway)'s Atlantic coast, the [British Isles](/source/British_Isles) and southeast to some parts of northern [Turkey](/source/Turkey).

Western Europe is almost exclusively oceanic between 45°N to 54.913°N; including most of [France](/source/France) (away from the Mediterranean), nearly all of [Belgium](/source/Belgium), the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands), [Austria](/source/Austria), most of [Luxembourg](/source/Luxembourg), most of [Denmark](/source/Denmark), western [Germany](/source/Germany), northwestern [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland), south coast and western areas of [Norway](/source/Norway) north to [Skrova](/source/Skrova) and extreme southern [Sweden](/source/Sweden).

While most of Southern Europe is climatically [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_climate), some parts of Southern Europe also have oceanic climates. However, these instances of the climate are highly variable, and often somewhat anomalous. The north coast of [Spain](/source/Spain), the western [Azores](/source/Azores) off the coast of [Portugal](/source/Portugal) are too wet in summer to be Mediterranean, and too mild in summer to be [humid subtropical](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate), though they often have winter means above 9 °C (48 °F), unusual for European oceanic climates.

Another anomalous case can be found in northwestern Turkey, including [northern Istanbul](/source/Sar%C4%B1yer). These places are, in a strict air-mass sense, not oceanic: they are affected by southerlies directly from the Mediterranean, and polar intrusions from Siberia.[7] Yet their position near the Black Sea makes them too wet in summer to be [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_climate), too mild during winter to be [humid continental](/source/Humid_continental_climate), and not hot enough in summer to be [humid subtropical](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate); therefore [Köppen](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification) classifies them as oceanic. Despite their anomalous position, however, their temperatures, around 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) in winter and 20–22 °C (68–72 °F) in summer, are not wholly atypical for European oceanic climates.

Some Eastern European regions such as the north of [Croatia](/source/Croatia) and [Serbia](/source/Serbia) and some parts of the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic), also have oceanic climates; these are generally near the boundary for being [humid continental](/source/Humid_continental_climate).

The line between oceanic and [continental climates](/source/Continental_climate) in Europe runs in a generally northwest to southeast direction. For example, western Germany is more impacted by milder Atlantic air masses than eastern Germany. Thus, winters across Europe become colder to the east, and (in some locations) summers become hotter. The line between oceanic Europe and [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_climate) Europe normally runs west to east and is related to changes in precipitation patterns and differences to seasonal temperatures; although intrusions of polar air, remnants of marine air-masses, and higher summer precipitation can create oceanic climates in Eastern Europe and transcontinental regions as far south as 40°N.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Under the Trewartha climate classification system, [Milan](/source/Milan) also has a temperate oceanic climate despite its hot summers due to its insufficient growing season length to be considered subtropical. [Tromsø](/source/Troms%C3%B8) has a boreal oceanic *Eolo* climate due to Trewartha's lower winter temperature threshold in subpolar climates compared to Köppen.

### The Americas

Vancouver, Canada Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 179 7 3 184 8 3 156 11 5 118 14 7 87 17 10 70 20 12 53 22 14 51 22 14 73 19 12 148 14 8 239 9 5 231 7 3 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Environment Canada Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 7 44 37 7.2 47 38 6.1 51 40 4.6 56 44 3.4 62 49 2.8 67 54 2.1 72 57 2 72 58 2.9 66 53 5.8 57 47 9.4 49 41 9.1 44 37 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

The oceanic climate exists in an arc spreading across the northwestern coast of North America from the [Alaskan panhandle](/source/Alaskan_panhandle) to northern [Washington](/source/Washington_(state)). In addition, some east coast areas such as [Block Island](/source/Block_Island), [Cape Cod](/source/Cape_Cod), [Martha's Vineyard](/source/Martha's_Vineyard), and [Nantucket](/source/Nantucket%2C_Massachusetts) have a similar climate.[8] And in the highlands of Central and South America with the variant Cfb. An extensive area of oceanic climates distinguishes the coastal regions of southern [Chile](/source/Chile) and extends into bordering [Argentina](/source/Argentina).

Under the Trewartha climate classification system, the oceanic climate zone is far more broad in North America, with many areas of the [Mid-Atlantic States](/source/Mid-Atlantic_States) such as [New York City](/source/New_York_City), [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), the [District of Columbia](/source/District_of_Columbia) and [Roanoke Va.](/source/Roanoke%2C_Virginia) being classified as temperate oceanic due to having insufficient growing seasons for a [humid subtropical climate](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate) classification but winters too mild to be hot-summer [humid continental climates](/source/Humid_continental_climate). North American transition zone also extends west of the [Appalachia](/source/Appalachia) to include cities such as [Louisville](/source/Louisville), [Murfreesboro](/source/Murfreesboro), [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis) and [Wichita Kan.](/source/Wichita%2C_Kansas). [Anchorage](/source/Anchorage) has a boreal oceanic *Eolo* climate due to Trewartha's lower winter temperature threshold in subpolar climates compared to Köppen.

### Africa

The only noteworthy area of maritime climate at or near sea-level within Africa is in South Africa from [Mossel Bay](/source/Mossel_Bay%2C_Western_Cape) on the [Western Cape](/source/Western_Cape) coast to [Plettenberg Bay](/source/Plettenberg_Bay) (the [Garden Route](/source/Garden_Route)), with additional pockets of this climate inland of the [Eastern Cape](/source/Eastern_Cape) and [KwaZulu-Natal](/source/KwaZulu-Natal) coast. It is usually warm most of the year with no pronounced rainy season, but slightly more rain in autumn and spring. The [Tristan da Cunha](/source/Tristan_da_Cunha) archipelago in the South Atlantic also has an oceanic climate.

### Asia and Oceania

Christchurch, New Zealand Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 37 23 12 41 22 12 41 20 10 55 18 7 56 15 5 61 12 2 57 11 1 51 13 3 36 15 4 49 17 6 41 19 8 52 21 11 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: CliFlo[9] Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 1.5 73 53 1.6 72 53 1.6 69 49 2.2 64 44 2.2 58 40 2.4 53 35 2.2 53 34 2 55 37 1.4 59 39 1.9 62 42 1.6 67 46 2 70 51 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Although oceanic climate is rare in Asia, subtropical highland climates and cold subtropical highland climates can be found in parts of [Southwestern China](/source/Southwestern_China), and the [Himalayan](/source/Himalayas) regions of the northern [Indian subcontinent](/source/Indian_subcontinent).

The oceanic climate is prevalent in the more southerly parts of [Oceania](/source/Oceania). A mild maritime climate is in existence in New Zealand. In Australia, the climate is found in [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), southern half of [Victoria](/source/Victoria_(Australia)) and southeastern [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) (southwards from [Wollongong](/source/Wollongong)).

The hinterland of the northern coast of [Turkey](/source/Turkey), features this climate. Additionally, parts of the northeastern coast of [Honshu](/source/Honshu), such as [Mutsu, Aomori](/source/Mutsu%2C_Aomori) in Japan, feature this climate, which is rare in Asia due to the lack of a west coast in the middle latitudes.[10]

Under the Trewartha climate classification system, numerous cities in northern [Honshu](/source/Honshu) in Japan have a hot-summer version of oceanic climates due to winters being too mild to be continental but growing seasons not being long enough to be subtropical, although the transition zone is narrower than it is in North America due to Japan's higher [seasonal lag](/source/Seasonal_lag) pushing November over the 10 °C (50 °F) threshold to be considered subtropical more readily. Examples of Japanese cities with a *Doak* climate include [Sendai](/source/Sendai) and some cooler neighborhoods in [Niigata City](/source/Niigata_City). A similar transition zone exists in lowland regions of [Mainland China](/source/Mainland_China), including [Shangqiu](/source/Shangqiu) and [Pingdingshan](/source/Pingdingshan).

### Indian Ocean

[Île Amsterdam](/source/%C3%8Ele_Amsterdam) and [Île Saint-Paul](/source/%C3%8Ele_Saint-Paul), both part of the [French Southern and Antarctic Lands](/source/French_Southern_and_Antarctic_Lands), are located in the subtropics and have an oceanic climate (akin to Tristan da Cunha; see above).

## Varieties

### Marine west coast (Cfb)

Cfb zone map 1991-2020

Plymouth, United Kingdom Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 108 9 4 84 9 4 78 11 5 67 13 6 64 16 9 57 18 11 62 20 13 67 20 13 74 18 12 113 15 9 113 12 6 119 10 5 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Hong Kong Observatory Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 4.3 48 39 3.3 48 38 3.1 51 41 2.6 55 43 2.5 60 48 2.2 64 52 2.4 68 56 2.6 68 56 2.9 65 53 4.4 59 49 4.4 53 44 4.7 49 40 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Temperate oceanic climates, also known as "marine mild winter" climates[11] or simply oceanic climates, are found either at [middle latitudes](/source/Middle_latitudes). They are often found on or near the west coast of continents; hence another name for Cfb, "marine west coast climates". In addition to moderate temperatures year-round, one of the characteristics is the absence of a dry season. Except for [Europe](/source/Europe), this type of climate is confined to narrow bands of territory, largely in mid or high latitudes, although it can appear in elevated areas of continental terrain in low latitudes, e.g. [plateaus](/source/Plateau) in the [subtropics](/source/Subtropics).[12] It exists in both hemispheres between 35° and 60°: at low altitudes between [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_climate), [humid continental](/source/Humid_continental_climate), and [subarctic](/source/Subarctic_climate) climates.[13]

Western [sea breezes](/source/Sea_breeze) ease temperatures and moderates the winter, especially if warm [sea currents](/source/Ocean_current) are present, and cause cloudy weather to predominate. Precipitation is constant, especially in colder months, when temperatures are warmer than elsewhere at comparable latitudes. This climate can occur farther inland if no mountain ranges are present or nearby.[14] As this climate causes sufficient moisture year-round without permitting deep snow cover, [vegetation](/source/Vegetation) typically prospers in this climate. Deciduous trees are predominant in this climate region. However, conifers such as [spruce](/source/Spruce), [pine](/source/Pine), and [cedar](/source/Cedrus) are also common in few areas, and fruits such as [apples](/source/Apple), [pears](/source/Pear), and [grapes](/source/Grape) can often be cultivated here.

In the hottest month, the average temperature is below 22 °C (72 °F), and at least four months feature average temperatures higher than 10 °C (50 °F). The average temperature of the coldest month must not be colder than −3–0 °C (27–32 °F), or the climate will be classified as continental.[12][15] The average temperature variations in the year are between 10–15 °C (50–59 °F), with average annual temperatures between 6–13 °C (43–55 °F). [Rain](/source/Rain) values can vary from 50–500 cm (20–197 in), depending on whether mountains cause [orographic precipitation](/source/Orographic_precipitation). [Frontal cyclones](/source/Extratropical_cyclone) can be common in marine west coast regions, with some areas experiencing more than 150 rainy days annually, but strong storms are rare.[13]

[Zennor](/source/Zennor), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom)

Cfb climates are predominant in most of Europe except the northeast, as the continental climate is more prominent further inland. They are the main climate type in [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) and the [Australian](/source/Australia) states of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), [Victoria](/source/Victoria_(Australia)), and southeastern [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) (starting from the [Illawarra](/source/Illawarra) region). In North America, they are found mainly in [Vancouver Island](/source/Vancouver_Island) and neighbouring parts of [British Columbia](/source/British_Columbia), as well as many coastal areas of [southeast Alaska](/source/Southeast_Alaska). There are pockets of this iteration of Cfb climates in South American countries, mostly in regions of southern Chile and Argentina, parts of the provinces of [Chubut](/source/Chubut_Province), [Santa Cruz](/source/Santa_Cruz_Province%2C_Argentina), and southeast [Buenos Aires province](/source/Buenos_Aires_Province) in Argentina. In [Western Asia](/source/Western_Asia), the climate can be found on the [Black Sea](/source/Black_Sea) coast of northern [Turkey](/source/Turkey) and [Georgia](/source/Georgia_(country)), often transitional to [humid subtropical](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate). While Cfb zones are rare in Africa, one dominates the coastline of the [Eastern Cape](/source/Eastern_Cape) in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa).

The climate subtype can also be found in [Nantucket](/source/Nantucket), [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts) (in the immediate west and northwest in transition for [humid continental](/source/Humid_continental_climate), the remainder of [Cape Cod](/source/Cape_Cod)[16])[17] and the southern [Appalachians](/source/Appalachian_Mountains) (a highland alteration of the lowland’s humid subtropical climate), both in the [eastern United States](/source/Eastern_United_States).[18] It is also found in the highest portions of the [Brazilian state](/source/States_of_Brazil) of [Bahia](/source/Bahia) and [Roraima](/source/Roraima) (in transition or strongly influenced for *Cwb*), [Brønnøy Municipality](/source/Br%C3%B8nn%C3%B8y_Municipality) in [Nordland](/source/Nordland) at 65.28 °N ([Norway](/source/Norway) north-central coast), the provinces of [Sabah](/source/Sabah) (northeastern [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia)), and [Baluchistan](/source/Balochistan), [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan). Although there are more or less rare places associated with relatively isolated mountainous regions (e.g., North [Oceania](/source/Oceania) islands and [China](/source/China)).[19]

These climates are classified as *Dobk* under Trewartha if their growing seasons aren't long enough for a [humid subtropical climate](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate).[20][2]

### Subtropical highland variety (Cfb, Cwb)

Bogotá, Colombia Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 88 18 6 100 19 7 100 20 9 101 23 11 100 23 12 135 23 12 175 22 12 169 21 12 145 18 12 102 18 10 90 18 8 90 18 7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: WMO Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 3.5 65 42 3.9 66 45 3.9 69 49 4 73 51 3.9 73 53 5.3 73 54 6.9 72 53 6.7 70 53 5.7 65 53 4 65 50 3.5 64 46 3.5 64 44 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

[Nuwara Eliya](/source/Nuwara_Eliya), [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka)

The subtropical highland climate is a climate variety, often grouped together with oceanic climates, which exists in some mountainous or elevated portions of the world in either the subtropics or tropics. Despite the latitude, the higher [elevations](/source/Elevation) of these regions mean that the climate shares characteristics with oceanic climates.[21][22]

Subtropical highland climates with uniform rainfall (*Cfb*)[23] usually have rainfall spread relatively evenly throughout the year, similar to other oceanic climates, but unlike these climates, they have a high [diurnal temperature variation](/source/Diurnal_temperature_variation) and low humidity, owing to their inland location and relatively high elevation. Subtropical highland climates with [monsoon](/source/Monsoon) influence (*Cwb*) have distinctive wet summers and dry winters.[24]

In locations outside the tropics, other than the drying trend in the winter, subtropical highland climates tend to be essentially identical to an oceanic climate, with mild summers and noticeably cooler winters, plus, in some instances, some snowfall. In the tropics, a subtropical highland climate typically features mild weather year-round. Temperatures there remain relatively constant throughout the year and snowfall is seldom seen due to warmer winters than most oceanic climates.

Areas with this climate feature monthly averages below 22 °C (72 °F) but above either 0 °C (32 °F) or −3 °C (27 °F) depending on isotherm used. At least one month's average temperature is below 18 °C (64 °F). Without their elevation, many of these regions would likely feature either [humid subtropical](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate) or [tropical](/source/Tropical_climate) climates.

This type of climate exists in parts of east, south and southeastern [Africa](/source/Africa), interior southern Africa and elevated portions of eastern Africa as far north as [Ethiopia](/source/Ethiopia) and of western Africa (west region of Cameroon) up to the southwestern [Angola](/source/Angola) highlands. It also exists in the exposed areas of the [High Atlas](/source/High_Atlas), some mountainous areas across [southern Europe](/source/Southern_Europe), and mountainous sections of [North America](/source/North_America), including parts of the southern [Appalachians](/source/Appalachians) and the [Central America Volcanic Arc](/source/Central_America_Volcanic_Arc). In [South America](/source/South_America), it can be found mainly in temperate mountainous areas in the [Tropical Andes](/source/Tropical_Andes), the [Venezuelan Coastal Range](/source/Venezuelan_Coastal_Range), the highest elevations of [Serra do Mar](/source/Serra_do_Mar) in [Southeastern Brazil](/source/Southeastern_Brazil) and the [Brazilian Highlands](/source/Brazilian_Highlands), the [tepuis](/source/Tepuis) of the [Guiana Shield](/source/Guiana_Shield), and due to variations in rainfall and temperature patterns in some places of the [Tropical Andes](/source/Tropical_Andes) in Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. Throughout Asia, most of [Yunnan](/source/Yunnan) and the mountainous areas across [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia), parts of the [Himalayas](/source/Himalayas), parts of the [Western Ghats](/source/Western_Ghats), parts of [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka), and parts of the Hawaiian Islands of [Maui](/source/Maui) and [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii_(island)) experience the climate as well. In the [Caribbean](/source/Caribbean), only the peaks in the highest mountain ranges have this climate (including the [Blue Mountains](/source/Blue_Mountains_(Jamaica)) in [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica) and [Cerro Maravilla](/source/Cerro_Maravilla) in [Puerto Rico](/source/Puerto_Rico)), with only [Hispaniola](/source/Hispaniola)'s [Cordillera Central](/source/Cordillera_Central%2C_Dominican_Republic) and [Chaîne de la Selle](/source/Cha%C3%AEne_de_la_Selle) having significant urban settlements under this climate zone, such as cities like [Kenscoff](/source/Kenscoff) in [Haiti](/source/Haiti) and [Constanza](/source/Constanza%2C_Dominican_Republic) in the [Dominican Republic](/source/Dominican_Republic).

These climates are classified as *Dobk* under Trewartha if their growing seasons aren't long enough for a [humid subtropical climate](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate).[20][2]

### Subpolar oceanic and cold subtropical highland varieties (Cfc, Cwc)

Punta Arenas, Chile Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 42 14 7 31 14 7 38 12 5 40 10 3 41 7 1 27 4 −1 29 4 −1 30 5 0 27 8 1 27 10 3 30 12 5 33 14 6 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Dirección Meteorológica de Chile[25] Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 1.6 58 44 1.2 57 44 1.5 54 41 1.6 49 38 1.6 44 34 1.1 39 30 1.1 39 30 1.2 41 32 1 46 34 1.1 50 37 1.2 54 40 1.3 56 43 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

[Ushuaia](/source/Ushuaia), [Argentina](/source/Argentina)

Areas with subpolar oceanic climates feature an oceanic climate but are usually located closer to polar regions, with long but relatively mild winters and short, cool summers. As a result of their location, these regions tend to be on the cool end of oceanic climates, approaching [polar regions](/source/Polar_regions_of_Earth). Snowfall tends to be more common here than in other oceanic climates. Subpolar oceanic climates are less prone to temperature extremes than [humid continental climates](/source/Humid_continental_climate) or [subarctic climates](/source/Subarctic_climate), featuring milder winters than these climates. Subpolar oceanic climates feature only one to three months of average monthly temperatures of at least 10 °C (50 °F). As with oceanic climates, none of its average monthly temperatures fall below -3.0 °C (26.6 °F) or 0 °C depending on the isotherm used. Typically, these areas in the warmest month experience daytime maximum temperatures below 17 °C (63 °F), while the coldest month features highs slightly above freezing and lows near or just below freezing while keeping the average warm enough. It typically carries a *Cfc* designation, though very small areas in [Argentina](/source/Argentina) and [Chile](/source/Chile) have summers sufficiently short to be *Cwc* with fewer than four months over 10 °C (50 °F).[26]

This variant of an oceanic climate is found in parts of coastal [Iceland](/source/Iceland), the [Faroe Islands](/source/Faroe_Islands), upland/mountainous parts of [Scotland](/source/Scotland) and [Northern England](/source/Northern_England), northwestern coastal areas of [Norway](/source/Norway) (most of [Lofoten](/source/Lofoten), [Vesterålen](/source/Vester%C3%A5len), warmest part of [Tromsø](/source/Troms%C3%B8) reaching to 71°N on some islands),[27] uplands/highlands in western Norway, the [Aleutian Islands](/source/Aleutian_Islands) of [Alaska](/source/Alaska) and northern parts of the [Alaskan Panhandle](/source/Alaskan_Panhandle), the southwest of [Argentina](/source/Argentina) and [Chile](/source/Chile), and a few highland areas of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), and the [Australian](/source/Australian_Alps) and [Southern Alps](/source/Southern_Alps_(New_Zealand)).[28] This type of climate is even found in very remote parts of the [New Guinea Highlands](/source/New_Guinea_Highlands). The classification used for this regime is Cfc.[3] Temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) and below −20 °C (−4 °F) are rare. In the most marine areas under this regime, temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F) are extreme weather events, even during summer.

Small areas in Yunnan, [Sichuan](/source/Sichuan); parts of [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia) and [Peru](/source/Peru); and parts of [Mount Kilimanjaro](/source/Mount_Kilimanjaro) in [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania) have summers sufficiently short to be *Cwc* with fewer than four months over 10 °C (50 °F).[26] This is the cold variant of the monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate. [El Alto](/source/El_Alto), [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia) is one of the few confirmed cities that features this variation of a cold subtropical highland climate.

These climates are mostly classified as *Eolk* under Trewartha. However, a cold-winter *Eolo* variant including cities such as [Anchorage](/source/Anchorage) and [Tromsø](/source/Troms%C3%B8) also exists under Trewartha due to that system using a -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) winter isotherm specifically for boreal climates.[20][2]

### Hot-summer Temperate Oceanic Climates

Although hot-summer climates with mild winters averaging above freezing are classified as [humid subtropical climates](/source/Humid_subtropical_climate) under Köppen, some of these in areas with lukewarm springs and autumns are considered *Doak* climates under Trewartha due to their mediocre growing season length, with only four to seven months averaging above 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). This transition zone between unequivocally subtropical climates and hot-summer [humid continental climates](/source/Humid_continental_climate) includes small areas in northern [Honshu](/source/Honshu), some lowland areas of [Mainland China](/source/Mainland_China), the city of [Milan](/source/Milan) in Italy and some [Mid-Atlantic](/source/Mid-Atlantic_States) and [Upland Southern](/source/Upland_South) North American areas such as [New York City](/source/New_York_City), the [District of Columbia](/source/District_of_Columbia), [Louisville](/source/Louisville) and [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis), even reaching into the [Sun Belt](/source/Sun_Belt) in [Murfreesboro](/source/Murfreesboro) and some [Appalachian](/source/Appalachia) and [Ozark](/source/Ozark) plateau or mountain areas.[20][2]

## See also

- [Temperate climate](/source/Temperate_climate)

- [Humid temperate climate](/source/Humid_temperate_climate)

- [Subhumid temperate climate](/source/Subhumid_temperate_climate)

- [Mediterranean climate](/source/Mediterranean_climate)

- [Köppen climate classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification)

- [Trewartha climate classification](/source/Trewartha_climate_classification)

- [Amann's Index of Hygrothermy](/source/Amann's_Index_of_Hygrothermy)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Arnfield_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Arnfield_1-1) Arnfield, A. John. ["World distribution of major climatic types"](https://www.britannica.com/science/Koppen-climate-classification/World-distribution-of-major-climatic-types). *Britannica*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Oregon-State-University_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Oregon-State-University_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Oregon-State-University_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Oregon-State-University_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Oregon-State-University_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Oregon-State-University_2-5) ["Appendix D: Koppen-Trewartha Climate Classification Descriptions"](https://open.oregonstate.education/permaculturedesign/back-matter/koppen-trewartha-climate-classification-descriptions/). *Oregon State University*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-McKnight_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-McKnight_3-1) Tom L. McKnight & Darrel Hess (2000). [*Climate Zones and Types: The Köppen System. Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation*](https://archive.org/details/physicalgeographmckn/page/226). Prentice Hall. pp. [226–235](https://archive.org/details/physicalgeographmckn/page/226). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-13-020263-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-13-020263-5).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Briney, Amanda (22 January 2020). ["The Gulf Stream"](https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-gulf-stream-1435328). *ThoughtCo*. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Klimaattabel Schiphol, langjarige gemiddelden, tijdvak 1991–2020"](https://www.knmi.nl/klimaat-viewer/grafieken-tabellen/klimaattabellen-per-station/schiphol/klimaattabel_schiphol_1991-2020) (in Dutch). [Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute](/source/Royal_Netherlands_Meteorological_Institute). Retrieved 30 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Klimatoloji-2"](https://www.mgm.gov.tr/FILES/iklim/klimatoloji2.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-peel_8-0)** M. C. Peel; B. L. Finlayson & T. A. McMahon (11 October 2007). ["Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification"](http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/30/50/98/PDF/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf) (PDF). *Hydrology and Earth System Sciences*. **11** (5): 1638–1643. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2007HESS...11.1633P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007HESS...11.1633P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007](https://doi.org/10.5194%2Fhess-11-1633-2007). Retrieved 30 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CliFlo_9-0)** ["CliFlo – National Climate Database"](http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz). NIWA. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151127002612/http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/) from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Winter in Japan - a Complete Guide to Wintertime in Japan | Compathy Magazine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200808055735/https://en.compathy.net/magazine/2016/09/18/winter-in-japan-a-complete-guide-to-wintertime-in-japan/). *Compathy Magazine （コンパシーマガジン）*. 18 September 2016. Archived from [the original](https://en.compathy.net/magazine/2016/09/18/winter-in-japan-a-complete-guide-to-wintertime-in-japan/) on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Michael Pidwirny, 2017, *Appendix 3: Köppen Climate Classification: Single appendix from the eBook Understanding Physical Geography*. Kelowna BC, Canada; Our Planet Earth Publishing, pp. 8, 24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-www.mindat.org_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-www.mindat.org_12-1) ["Temperate oceanic climate"](https://www.mindat.org/climate-Cfb.html). *www.mindat.org*. Retrieved 11 October 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Encyclopedia_Britannica_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Encyclopedia_Britannica_13-1) ["marine west coast climate | Characteristics & Facts"](https://www.britannica.com/science/marine-west-coast-climate). *Encyclopedia Britannica*. Retrieved 11 October 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Marine West Coast Climate"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180524040052/http://www.earthonlinemedia.com/ebooks/tpe_3e/climate_systems/marine_west_coast.html). *www.earthonlinemedia.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.earthonlinemedia.com/ebooks/tpe_3e/climate_systems/marine_west_coast.html) on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Hot Continental Division"](https://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/colorimagemap/images/220.html). *www.fs.fed.us*. Retrieved 11 October 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Mean Temperature US in January - 30 yrs (normals)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191104180055/http://prism.oregonstate.edu/inc/images/graphics/normals/800m/tmean/viewable/PRISM_tmean_30yr_normal_800mM2_01.png?ts=20181016). Archived from [the original](http://prism.oregonstate.edu/inc/images/graphics/normals/800m/tmean/viewable/PRISM_tmean_30yr_normal_800mM2_01.png?ts=20181016) on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Massachusetts Koppen Climate"](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Massachusetts_K%C3%B6ppen.png).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Georgia US Koppen Climate"](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Georgia_K%C3%B6ppen.png).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["World Maps of Köppen-Geiger climate classification"](http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/present.htm). *koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at*. Retrieved 16 October 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ikonen-2007_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ikonen-2007_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Ikonen-2007_20-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Ikonen-2007_20-3) Ikonen, Ari T.K. (October 2007). [Meteorological Data and Update of Climate Statistics of Olkiluoto 2005 – 2006](https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/43/063/43063333.pdf) (PDF) (Report).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Pacheco-Torgal, Fernando; Goran-Granqvist, Claes (30 January 2023). [*Adapting the Built Environment for Climate Change*](https://books.google.com/books?id=q3qAEAAAQBAJ&dq=subtropical+highland+climate+oceanic&pg=PA187). Elsevier. p. 187. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780323953375](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780323953375). Retrieved 11 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Herminingrum, Sri; Hum, M (November 2021). [*Fisheries and Marine Science*](https://books.google.com/books?id=lk9LEAAAQBAJ&dq=subtropical+highland+climate+oceanic&pg=PA17). Media Nusa Creative (MNC Publishing). p. 17. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9786024620998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9786024620998). Retrieved 11 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Khan, Ansar; Niyogi, Dev; Fiorito, Francesco; Akbari, Hashem; Mithun, Sk (15 June 2022). [*Global Urban Heat Island Mitigation*](https://books.google.com/books?id=P7JYEAAAQBAJ&dq=Subtropical+highland+climate+with+uniform+rainfall(Cfb)&pg=PA253). Elsevier Science. p. 253. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780323897945](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780323897945). Retrieved 21 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Mindat.org"](https://www.mindat.org/climate-Cwb.html). *www.mindat.org*. Retrieved 11 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DMC_25-0)** ["Estadistica Climatologica Tomo III (pg 512–537)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120417142500/http://164.77.222.61/climatologia/publicaciones/Estadistica_ClimatologicaIII.pdf) (PDF) (in Spanish). Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil. March 2001. Archived from [the original](http://164.77.222.61/climatologia/publicaciones/Estadistica_ClimatologicaIII.pdf) (PDF) on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Peel_2007_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Peel_2007_26-1) Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (11 October 2007). ["Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification"](https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/file/index/docid/298818/filename/hessd-4-439-2007.pdf) (PDF). *Hydrology and Earth System Sciences*. **11** (5): 1633–1644. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2007HESS...11.1633P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007HESS...11.1633P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007](https://doi.org/10.5194%2Fhess-11-1633-2007). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [9654551](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:9654551). Retrieved 5 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Weather statistics for Hasvik (Finnmark)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141218153338/http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Finnmark/Hasvik/Hasvik~320932/statistics.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Finnmark/Hasvik/Hasvik~320932/statistics.html) on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Tapper, Andrew; Tapper, Nigel (1996). Gray, Kathleen (ed.). *The weather and climate of Australia and New Zealand* (First ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press. p. 300. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-553393-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-553393-4).

## External links

- "[Marine (Humid) West Coast Climate](https://web.archive.org/web/20071220033946/http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/marine_west_coast.html)", June 21, 2007, *The Physical Environment: an Introduction to Physical Geography*, Michael Ritter, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point

- "[EPIC Web Browser](https://web.archive.org/web/20100504012429/http://www.epic.noaa.gov/epic/ewb/)", NOAA, on-line ocean observational data collection

- "[NOAA "Dapper In-situ Ocean Data Viewer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060211015453/http://dapper.pmel.noaa.gov/dchart/), plot and download ocean observations

- "[Maritime Climate](https://web.archive.org/web/20061206100140/http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/eae/Climate/Older/Maritime_Climate.html)", *Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment*, Atmosphere, Climate & Environment Information Programme

v t e Climate types under the Köppen climate classification Class A Tropical rainforest (Af) Tropical monsoon (Am) Tropical savanna (Aw, As) Class B Desert (BWh, BWk) Semi-arid (BSh, BSk) Class C Humid subtropical (Cfa, Cwa) Oceanic (Cfb, Cwb, Cfc, Cwc) Mediterranean (Csa, Csb, Csc) Class D Humid continental (Dfa, Dwa, Dsa, Dfb, Dwb, Dsb) Subarctic (Dfc, Dwc, Dsc, Dfd, Dwd, Dsd) Class E Tundra (ET) Ice cap (EF) Alpine (ET, EF) Lists List of cities by Köppen climate classification

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Oceanic climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_climate) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_climate?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.