GLOBAL CLIMATES AND GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE - Discovering Physical Geography - page 212

www.wiley.com/college/arbogast

Humid Subtropical Hot-Summer Climate ( Cfa , Cwa )

In order to get a better feel for the variables that influence the hu-
mid subtropical hot-summer climate, go to the Geo Media Library
and select Humid Subtropical Hot-Summer Climate (Cfa,
Cwa) . This module shows how the STH known as the Bermuda
High pumps moisture into the southeastern United States during
the summer. The animation will begin with a map that shows the
rotating pressure system that is migrating on a seasonal basis due

to the effects of Earth-Sun geometry. As spring progresses into
summer, the Bermuda High forms off the southeastern coast. This
system is rotating clockwise and, in so doing, pumps moisture
into places like Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina. This can
be shown by clouds forming over land that result in precipitation.
Once you complete this animation, be sure to answer the ques-
tions at the end to test your understanding of this concept.

VISUAL CONCEPT CHECK 9.2

This map shows the average annual precipitation in the contiguous United States. Explain the patterns for
these three regions: (1) the Southeast, including Mississippi and Tennessee; (2) the Intermountain West,
including Nevada and Utah; and (3) the Pacific Northwest coast, including western Washington and Oregon.

national atlas .gov TM PRECIPITATION

Where We Are

Lake of the
Woods

a

Rainy
Lake

v er Red

Lake

N

MINNESOTA

Ye

Mille La cs
Lake

WI SC ONS I N

L a k e
W i n n e b a g o

IOWA

l ic

I LL I NO I S

m

v

MI SSO URI

r

R

ARKAN SAS

Precipitation varies widely across the
United States, from a low of 2.3 inches
per year in California's Death Valley to a
high of 460 inches on Hawaii's Mount
Waialeale. Nevada ranks as the driest
state, with an average annual
precipitation of 9.5 inches, and Hawaii
is the wettest, at 70.3 inches.

MISSI SSIPPI
LOUIS IANA

L a k e
Po n t c h a r t r a i n

Average Annual Precipitation (in inches)
1961-1990

O

180.1-200
140.1-180
120.1-140
100.1-120
80.1-100
70.1-80
60.1-70
50.1-60
40.1-50

35.1-40
30.1-35
25.1-30
20.1-25
15.1-20
10.1-15
5.1-10
5 and less

Albers equal area projection

0 100 200 300 mi

0 100 200 300 km

U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

R

The National Atlas of the United States of America