Marine west coast climate (Cfb)
Also called: West European climate · Topic: World Climate Classification: Koeppen's Scheme · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 11 "World Climate and Climate Change"
Meaning
The marine west coast climate (Cfb), also called the West European climate, lies on west coasts further from the equator than the Mediterranean type. Westerlies (winds blowing from the west in the mid-latitudes) blow in from the sea across warm currents such as the North Atlantic Drift. So winters are warmer than the latitude would suggest. Summers are 15-20°C and winters 4-10°C, so temperature ranges are small. Rain falls all year, varying widely from 50 to 250 cm.
Example
North-western Europe, including the British Isles, is warmed by the North Atlantic Drift and has a Cfb climate. Other examples are British Columbia in Canada, southern Chile, south-eastern Australia and New Zealand.
Don't confuse with
- Mediterranean climate (Cs): Cs lies nearer the equator (30°-40°) and has hot, dry summers with rain only in winter. Cfb has rain all year and cool summers.
Related concepts
- Warm temperate climates (C)
- Humid subtropical climate with dry winter (Cwa)
- Mediterranean climate (Cs)
- Humid subtropical climate (Cfa)