What is the climate of California?
Q: What is the climate of California?
A: The climate of California varies widely from desert to alpine depending on latitude, elevation and how close the area is to the coast. Most of the coastal and southern parts of the state have a Mediterranean climate with somewhat rainy winters and dry summers. The deserts in the south of the state have very hot summers and mild winters. Parts of the south have a semi-arid/steppe climate, for example San Diego.
Q: How warm is California compared to other states?
A: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) averages from 1981-2010, California is the 13th warmest state in the United States with an average annual temperature of 58.4°F (14.7 °C).
Q: Are there any areas in California that are particularly hot or cold?
A: Yes, deserts in southern California tend to be very hot while areas closer to mountains can be quite cold due to higher elevations.
Q: Is it generally wet or dry in most parts of California?
A: Most parts of coastal and southern California tend to be relatively dry with some rain during winter months. However, northern parts may experience more rainfall throughout year due to their proximity to ocean currents coming off Pacific Ocean.
Q: What type of climate does San Diego have?
A: San Diego has a semi-arid/steppe climate which means it experiences little rainfall but temperatures remain relatively mild throughout year.
Q: Does elevation affect temperature in certain areas?
A: Yes, higher elevations tend to experience colder temperatures than lower elevations due their increased distance from Earth's surface where heat accumulates more readily.
