Section 3: Georgia’s Climate ESSENTIAL QUESTION -- How would you describe the climate of Georgia?

Section 3: Georgia’s Climate What concepts do I need to know? -- Difference between weather and climate -- Effect of weather conditions on the state -- Different types of weather phenomena

Georgia’s Temperature Mild climate, subtropical feel along the coast Hot, humid summers and mild winters Four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Vertical climate (higher elevation in mountains causes colder temperatures) July is hottest month; January is coldest

Georgia’s Precipitation In normal year, Georgia gets 40-52 inches of rain in central and southern regions and 65-76 inches in the northern mountains July is wettest month; October is driest From 1998 to 2009, Georgia experienced a major drought (extended lack of precipitation)

Winds and Currents Air masses from Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean control summer’s warm months. Air masses from polar regions of Alaska and Canada control Georgia’s winters. Ocean currents, trade winds, and prevailing westerlies aided travel for early explorers and settlers to Georgia.

Storms over Georgia Georgia averages 21 tornadoes each year, resulting in one to three deaths Most tornadoes in Georgia occur from March to May Georgia’s most hurricane-like storm (in terms of lives lost) occurred in Savannah in 1893 Called the “Sea Islands Hurricane,” the storm resulted in 1,000 deaths. Click here to return to main menu.