Warm Temperate Climates

Temperate climates are generally found between the tropical zone and the polar regions , roughly between 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheresA hemisphere is half the Earth's surface. The four hemispheres are the Northern and Southern hemispheres, divided by the equator (0° latitude), and the Eastern and Western hemispheres, divided by the... More. In these regions, the sun is never directly overhead, leading to moderate temperatures that vary with the seasons. Summers are generally warm to hot, while winters are cool to cold. However, temperate climates are not all the same—this zone contains several distinct types, including:

West Margin / Mediterranean Climate:

Warm Temperate Climate, Western Margin – Mediterranean Type:

Location:

This climate is found on the western parts of continents between 30° and 45° North and 30° and 45° South of the EquatorThe Equator is Zero degrees (0°) latitude. The Sun is directly overhead the equator at noon on the two equinoxes (March and Sept. 20 or 21). The equator divides the globe... More.

Examples of areas:

• North Africa: Tunisia, Morocco, Libya
• Southern Africa: South-west South Africa
• South America: Central Chile
• North America: California (especially Central California)
• Australia: Western Australia
• Europe: France, Spain, Italy, and lands around the Mediterranean Sea

Climatic Characteristics:

• Temperature: Summers are hot and dry , averaging 21°C – 27°C ; winters are mild and wet , around 10°C .
• Seasonal rainfall: Rainfall occurs mainly in winter, often brought by onshore winds and cyclonic storms;