II. Climate Regions A. The Far North B. The Pacific Coast 1. Tundra and subarctic climates are found in the northern parts of Alaska and Canada. a) Winters = long and cold 2. Along the Arctic coast the cold tundra prevents the growth of trees and most plants. a) Subarctic evergreens are suited for the cold climate. b) Adapted means to be adjusted. B. The Pacific Coast 1. The region’s Pacific Coast is affected by moist ocean breezes.

II. Climate Regions C. The West a) From AK to northern CA, the climate is mild with abundant rainfall. b) Southern CA and Mexico have a Mediterranean climate which is hot dry summers and mild wet winters. C. The West 1. The inland West has a desert climate of hot summers and mild winters. a) Mountains block humid coastal winds. b) Plants have adapted to survive with little rainfall. c) Areas on the eastern side of the Rockies have a partly dry steppe climate.

II. Climate Regions D. The Great Plains d) Droughts, or long periods without rainfall, are a serious challenge. D. The Great Plains 1. The Great Plains area benefits from moisture bearing winds from the Gulf of Mexico and from the Arctic. a) Humid continental climate with cold snowy winters and hot, humid summers. b) Prairie grasses and grains. c) The “Dust Bowl” in the 1930s forced many farmers to leave.

II. Climate Regions E. The East d) Better farming methods have restored, or renewed this region’s farming soil. E. The East 1. The eastern United States and Canada have humid climate regions that receive plenty of year-round precipitation. a) Areas of the Northeastern United States and parts of eastern Canada have a humid continental climate. b) Variety of forests. c) Wetlands and swamps cover much of the Southeast.

II. Climate Regions F. Tropical Areas G. Severe Weather 2. Temperatures in the two climate zones can be similar in the summer but very different in the winter. a) The Northeast gets strong blasts of icy arctic air while the Southeast stays relatively warm. F. Tropical Areas 1. Tropical areas can be found in two areas of the United States. a) Southern FL and HI. G. Severe Weather

II. Climate Regions 1. A tornado is a windstorm in the form of a funnel-shaped cloud that often touches ground. a) Up to 300MPH. b) Central US is known as “Tornado Alley”. This area sees the most tornadoes on Earth. 2. Hurricanes are wind systems that form over the oceans in tropical areas and bring violent storms and heavy rains. a) Often go into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coastline. b) Damaging winds and storm surges.

II. Climate Regions H. Volcanoes and Earthquakes 3. Blizzards are severe winter storms with high winds and large snow falls. a) “White out” conditions H. Volcanoes and Earthquakes 1. Earthquakes are generally located on the Pacific coast.

II. Climate Regions