Climate Regions

of

Europe

Wind and Water

• The ocean currents and the wind patterns affect the climate in Europe.

• Water currents carry warm water from the Gulf of Mexico toward Europe.

• Wind examples: winds from Africa contribute to the high temps in southern Europe

Climate Zones (page 284)

1. Steppe

2. Mediterranean

3. Humid Subtropical

4. Marine West Coast

5. Humid Continental

6. Subarctic

7. Tundra

8. Highland

Climate Zones• Most of Europe

falls into 3– Marine west

coast– Humid

continental– Mediterranean

Marine West Coast• Northwestern and central Europe• 2 features

1. Mild temperatures

2. Abundant precipitation- gets plenty of rain

• Forests thrive

• Countries: France, U.K., Germany, Austria……

Humid Continental• Eastern Europe and some areas in

northern Europe.• Cooler summers and even colder

winters!• Less rain/snow than MWC • Mixed forests• Countries: Ukraine, Poland, Latvia,

Estonia

Mediterranean• Southern Europe• Dry and hot summers• Winters aren’t too cold= 50• Pyrenees and Alps block cold winds

from the north• Hot and humid winds from Africa• Countries: Italy, Spain, Greece,

Portugal

Subarctic and Tundra• Far north

– 2 zones of extreme cold– Summers = 40 degrees

• SA Zone: Norway, Sweden, Finland

• Tundra: Northern tips of Norway, Sweden, Finland and all of Iceland

Highland• Higher altitudes (Alps, Carpathians)• Temperatures vary (change) from

place to place depending on the direction of the wind

Countries: northern Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland (Alps)

Other zones:• 2 zones cover small areas

1. Steppe (southern Ukraine)• Dry, treeless grasslands

2. Subtropical (north of Adriatic Sea: Italy, Slovakia)

• Hot, wet summers• Mild, wet winters