Climate and Vegetation of Europe

Climate and Vegetation Climate varies greatly in Europe, from Tundra to the warm shores of the Mediterranean. Latitude and Proximity to water Most of Europe is about the same latitude as Canada. Given its latitude it should be cold, but its closeness to water has a moderating effect on the climate Western Europe Marine West Coast Climate: Mild winter, cool summer and a lot of rain. Because of: Gulf Stream (North Atlantic Drift) Brings warm waters to western Europe from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Warm water warms the air above it making for a mild climate. Prevailing Westerly winds also bring warm, moist air over the area

North Atlantic Drift:

Trees and Highlands Deciduous and Non-Deciduous Trees Both included in the natural vegetation of Europe. Alpine Tree line In the Alpine region there are mostly conifers. Above the Timberline (10,000 ft) there are no trees. Avalanches Dry winds called foehns can blow down the mountains and cause avalanches because there are not trees there to hold onto the snow.

Timberline- area where trees no longer grow

Southern Europe (Mediterranean Europe) Mediterranean Climate: Warm dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Mistral: Strong winds that blow down from the Alps brings gust of bitterly cold air. Siroccos: Dry winds that blow in from the Sahara in North Africa. Chaparral: Vegetation of the Mediterranean region. Includes shrubs and small trees like cork and olive trees.

Chaparral Vegetation

Where I lived-

Eastern and Northern Europe Inland Climate: Humid Continental Cold snowy winters and hot summers. Temperatures vary more here than in the rest of Europe. Far North: Tundra and Sub arctic Scandinavia Sub arctic and tundra climate with bitterly cold winters and short cools summers. Permafrost: permanently frozen soil. Tundra areas have little vegetation except mosses, small shrubs, and wildflowers that boom during the short summer.