The Climate of Finland

The climate of Finland has the characteristics of both the maritime and continental climate.

Depending on the location of a city the climate can be very different. Those areas which are located very close to sea enjoy cool winter and mild summer while those located inland experience cold winters and warm summers. For instance at Helsinki, a maritime location, the coldest month stands at -4.5 C which is not so severe for its high latitude while a continental location like Jyvaskyla records a temperature of -8.5 C in its coldest month. Similarly due to its continental location, Jyvaskyla has a midday temperature of 21 C as compared to that of Helsinki of 19 C. This clearly shows that the continental locations are warmer in summer and cooler in winter than those of maritime locations.

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The precipitation in Norway is, mostly in the form of snow, due to its northerly location. The precipitation is more in the cities located near the sea due to the northern Atlantic influence than those located farther inland. For instance the total annual precipitation at Helsinki is 642 mm, at Jyvaskyla it is 638 mm while at Sodankyla it is only 507 mm. But even such a moderate precipitation is ample enough to sustain thick vegetation since at higher latitudes; evaporation is less due to lower temperatures.

In short the climate of Finland exhibits both the maritime and continental varieties, depending upon the location of a place. The rainfall, however, is abundant enough to support thick forests.

The Climate of Finland

The Climate of Sweden

The climate of Sweden varies from place to place due to great latitudinal differences. Generally the climate is very cold in winter and moderate in summer.

The northern part of the country experiences very severe winter with as much as six months having the temperatures below freezing point. The southern part is considerably warmer with only three winter months. Stockholm, for instance, due to the marine influence of the Atlantic Ocean enjoys a very moderate winter for its latitude. The January temperature at Stockholm is 27 F (-3 C) while other places in Europe at the same latitude and which are out of the marine influence record temperatures as low as 10 F ( -12 C). The same marine influence keeps the summer temperature moderate. The warmest month at Stockholm records 62 F (17 C) while most of Northern European cities at the same latitude including Moscow record more than 74 F (23 C). The best season to visit Sweden is from May to September when the day temperatures are around 60 F (16 C) and one can move around easily in light warm clothes.

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The precipitation in Sweden is heaviest in the south west where it exceeds 15 in. (381 mm) while in the Lapland it averages 10 in. (250 mm). The precipitation is heaviest in late summer and lightest in spring. Winters generally have a clear sky and bright sunshine.

In short Sweden has a very cold climate in its northern region. The southern region, under the marine influence of the Atlantic Ocean has a milder climate.

The Climate of Sweden

Information on the Orlando Climate

The Orlando Climate is sub tropical. The weather tends to be warm and humid. The climate is influenced by several factors. The Gulf Stream and the city's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer affect the climate. The low elevation of the city adds to the humidity level. There are two basic seasons in Florida: a hot summer season and cooler winter season.

Orlando Climate in the Summer Season

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During the summer season, the weather is hot and humid. The average temperature during the day is in the nineties. At night, the temperatures range from the seventies to the eighties. The heat index during the day can get quite high. A heat index of over one hundred degrees is not uncommon.

The summer is also the rainy season in Florida. Storms are quite common, especially in the late afternoon. Most of these storms are caused by air from the Atlantic and air from the Gulf colliding over central Florida. At times, these storms can be quite violent. The storms often bring wind, thunder, lightening and hail. Orlando is known for more lightening strikes each year than any other city in the United States.

The rainfall during these storms can be very heavy. The months from June through September bring the most rain to Orlando. The average rain fall during these months is about fifty inches. In some years, this number is even higher. Often, the storms are strong, but short lived. You will usually be able to enjoy the evening outdoors after a storm. Unlike some areas of the country, the rain does not cool the temperature. Often the humidity is even higher just after a thunderstorm.

Hurricane season also occurs in the summer. The official hurricane season runs from June through November. Since Orlando is not on the coast, the city often escapes the brunt of the storm's landfall. By the time most storms reach the city, they have weakened considerably. However, this doesn't mean the city is safe from these strong and unpredictable storms. The city has sustained damage from several storms over the years.

Orlando Climate in the Winter Season

In the winter, you will know why Florida is called The Sunshine State. There is very little rainfall during this season. Most days are dry and sunny. The weather in the winter really is beautiful. This is a fabulous time to plan a trip to Florida. Many tourists flock to the area during this season to escape the freezing temperatures in the northern part of the country. For more information contact the Florida Tourist offices.

The months of December through May are the driest months of the year. In some years, the weather is way too dry during the winter months. This increases the risk of wild fires in central Florida. In the past, these have gotten quite severe.

The temperatures in the winter season are very mild. The average daily temperature ranges from the mid sixties to the seventies. The night time temperatures are generally in the fifties. There is virtually no snow in the Orlando area. The few times there have been flurries, they don't accumulate. If you want to escape the winter, this is the place to come.

Information on the Orlando Climate

The Climate of Malaysia

Malaysia is a tropical country with hot temperatures throughout the year, high relative humidity and an abundance of rainfall. The following is a brief description of its temperature and rainfall.

Temperature

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Since Malaysia is a tropical country the temperature remains uniformly hot throughout the year and there is very little difference between temperatures of summer and winter. The days are however not very hot and nights are fairly cool throughout the year. At Labuan the average temperature hovers around 80 F (27 C) throughout the year. At Penang it is 82 F (28 C) and at Cameron Highlands which are situated at about 5000 feet ( 1500 m) above sea level the average temperature drops to 64 F (18 C) which is quite comfortable for the foreigners.

Rainfall

Rainfall in whole of Malaysia is heavy all the year round and especially in the monsoon season which on east coast of the country remains active from November to February while on the west coast August is the rainiest month. The rainfall is particularly heavy on the mountains. For instance the total annual rainfall at Cameron Highlands exceeds 100 inches (2540 mm) with no month getting less than 5 inches ( 125 mm). The months of the year with very heavy rain must be avoided while visiting such areas. The best time of the year to visit these highlands is from June to august when the rainfall is not so heavy and the temperature is also very moderate around 64 F (18 C).

In short Malaysia is a tropical country with hot and humid climate. The humidity levels are high and rainfall abundant. On the hills the climate is tempered by elevation and are worth seeing for their beautiful climate and lush greenery.

The Climate of Malaysia

The Climate of The Valleys

The climate of valleys is synonymous with extremes of temperatures. In summer these places are quite hot, in winter bitterly cold. The following is a short description of this type of climate.

Valleys record extremes of temperatures in summer and winter. The more deep a valley is ,the more the fluctuation of temperature. This means that the valleys which are surrounded by very high mountains are susceptible to very large changes in temperature. The typical station of special interest both for holiday makers and meteorologists is the world famous Gilgit Valley in Northern Areas of Pakistan located not far away from the Shin door Pass, the centre of Annual Polo Festival. It is surprising to note that although it has a high latitude of about 36 degrees North, and an elevation of about 5000 feet above sea level but still temperatures up to 113 F (45 C) are common. During the night however the temperature falls to 60 F (16 C), a fall of 31 degrees Celsius! This is because Gilgit is surrounded by very high mountains which reach in height up to 20,000 feet. At night when the sky is clear, the surfaces of the mountains becomes much cooler due to re radiation of heat to the atmosphere which they have absorbed during the day. As the surface becomes cooler and cooler during the night, the air touching the slopes becomes very cold too. It also becomes dense and heavier as compared to the surrounding air. Under the action of gravity, the cold air is pulled down the slopes until it is accumulated in the deep valleys. This wind is the Katabatic wind, commonly known as the mountain wind. As this wind arrives from mountains situated high up, so it is very cold and brings down the temperature of the valleys considerably. Hence the nights of the valleys continues to be cool even in mid-summer. In the day, however, since the valleys are situated at low elevations as compared to the mountains, and these areas have a very clear atmosphere, they become quite hot by mid-day, especially when there is no cool air coming from any side.

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In winter due to same effect, the valleys record temperatures which are several degrees below zero and are bitterly cold. It is usual for Gilgit to record temperatures up to 20 F in winter.

In short, it follows from the above discussion that the valleys have a large diurnal as well as seasonal range of temperatures. So next time you plan to visit these places in summer, be prepared to face extremely hot winds and chilly nights in the same season.

The Climate of The Valleys

The Climate of Cyprus

The climate of Cyprus is Mediterranean with long dry and hot summers and mild to cool winters. In fact Cyprus is the hottest of all the islands situated in the Mediterranean Sea.

The summers in Cyprus can very hot inland where the temperature readings up to 104 F (40 C) are not uncommon. Coastal areas are, however, a little less hot due to proximity to sea. Winters, on the other hand can be quite cool both at the inland and coastal locations. For instance at Nicosia, an inland station, the high for the hottest month, July, is 97 F (36 C) and the low is 70 F (21 C). At Larnaca, which lies on the coast, the corresponding figures for July are 90 F (32 C) and 72 F (22 C) respectively. Coast has an added advantage of strong breeze in summer which makes the weather quite tolerable. The coolest month at Nicosia is January while at Larnaca it is February. The high temperature in January at Nicosia is 57 (14 C) and low is 41 (5 C). At Larnaca, the coolest month, February, records 63 F (17 C) and 43 F (6 C) respectively. The best time to visit Cyprus, however, is spring and fall. At Nicosia, April records a high of 73 F (23 C) and a low of 50 F (10 C) which is equivalent to Central European summer. Larnaca has temperatures of 72 F (22 C) and 52 F (11C) for April. October at Nicosia records temperatures of 81 F (27 C) and 59 F (15 C) which compare favorably with the June of Rome. Larnaca has 81 F and 61 F respectively.

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The rainfall at both Nicosia and Larnaca is scanty.The total annual rainfall at the former station is 14 inches (345 mm) while at the later it is 13 inches (320 mm).The rain falls, at both stations, mostly in winter while the summer months are practically dry. The total of May to October is only 0.4 inches (10 mm) at Larnaca with June, July and August recording nil rainfall. At Nicosia the situation is more or less the same with the month of July recording only 0.04 inch (1 mm) of rain. This clearly shows the extreme dryness from which Cyprus suffers during summer months. The dryness accompanied by cloudless skies makes the mid day sun very hot indeed and the people used to colder climates should, at best, avoid Cyprus in these months. The winters record some rain. The rainiest month at Nicosia is January while at Larenac it is December. January at Nicosia records 3 inches (76 mm) of rain while December at Larnaca has 3.2 inches (80 mm).

From the above discussion regarding the climatic data of Nicosia it follows that the summers at Cyprus are quite hot, best avoided if possible and winter are quite cool. The best season to visit this island is spring and fall when the temperatures are mild and pleasant.

The Climate of Cyprus

The Climate of Lebanon

Lebanon has a typical Mediterranean Climate with hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Following is a brief description of its temperature and rainfall.

Temperature:
Summers on the coasts are hot. At Beirut the mid day thermometer exceeds 95 F (35 C) in summer. Due to high humidity, even nights are not so comfortable and the temperatures are around 77F (25 C). The mountains however have a beautiful climate during this part of the year where midday temperature rarely crosses 86 F ( 30 C) and nights are around 60 F ( 16 C) which is much pleasant than at coast. The winters are however better at coast. Beirut has a high of 64F (17C) and a low of 53 F (11 C) which is quite moderate. The winter on the mountains is quite severe with frosty temperatures and heavy snowfall.

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Precipitation:
Since Lebanon has a Mediterranean type of Climate so most of precipitation falls during winter months. In December and January the precipitation exceeds 6 inches (150 mm) while in the summer months of July and August it is practically nil. Mountains in winter receive heavy snowfall. Even places as mild as Beirut get a little snowfall after every fifteen years. The best seasons to visit this country are spring and fall during which the rainfall is moderate and the days are bright and sunny.

In short, Lebanon has got hot dry summers and cool wet winters with mountain areas cooler than the coastal ones. The best seasons are spring and fall with mild temperatures and moderate precipitation.

The Climate of Lebanon

The Climate of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an arid and dry country with a pronounced continental climate. The climate varies greatly with the location of the place.

Afghanistan is a mountainous country and a network of mountains is spread all over its territory. The climate of a particular area therefore depends very much on its height and location. Kabul, the capital, for instance, located at a height of 6000 feet has a very cold winter and a warm summer. Jallalabad, in comparison located on the eastern plains has a cool winters and very hot summers with temperature often reaching 110 F ( 43 C ). Kandahar to the south east located at an elevation of about 4000 feet has a climate which falls mid way between Kabul and Jallalabad. The winters are less severe than that at Kabul and summers though hot are rendered moderate by height.

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The precipitation, every where in Afghanistan, is very scanty. In hills it is mostly in the form of snow. Kabul gets snowfall in winter due to western disturbances, an extra tropical depression which crosses Afghanistan from January to March. The winter precipitation accounts for more than 80% of the precipitation of Afghanistan.

In short the climate of Afghanistan is an extreme form of continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. If you want to visit Afghanistan then these seasons must be avoided. A good approach would be to visit this country during spring and fall when the temperatures are within tolerable limits and the weather is sunny and dry.

The Climate of Afghanistan

The climate of the 'island of Corsica

The climate of the 'island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, is excellent with hot, dry summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall and plenty of sun.

For six months of the year remains high about 70 F (21 C) and low should not drop below 50 F (10 C). The hottest month is August in Corsica with a height of 82 F (28 C) and a minimum of 61 F (16 C) and the most beautiful is January with a share of 55 F (13 C) and a minimum of 37 F (3 C). So it is obvious that the marine influence savingsCorsica from extreme temperatures. The mountains are about 5-6 degrees lower in both seasons compared to coastal regions.

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The rainfall is moderate in Corsica, generally falls in the winter months, a typical feature of all Mediterranean islands. But the number of rainy days is quite small and the number of sunny hours is high. For example, the wettest months in Corsica, in December, has only 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rainfall, with only five days, on average, with rainfall more than 0.1 inches(2.5 mm) and a sun with a daily average of more than 4 hours. The driest month is July with an annual rainfall of only 10 mm (0.4 inches) and a rainy day two years and an average daily number of sunshine hours than 12 hours.

In short, Corsica has a mild climate, sunny and pleasant, with warm dry summers and mild winters.

The climate of the 'island of Corsica

The equatorial climate

As the name already indicates the equatorial climate is at or near the equator. The characteristic features of the temperature, humidity and precipitation are described below:

Temperature:

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Since the areas with an equatorial climate at or near the equator, so that the sun shines all year round on top. The high temperature is so uniform throughout the year. The average temperature of each month, he moved to 80 F (27 C). The difference between the warmest andcoldest month is very small, usually less than 5 F (3 C). With Singapore (1.1 north), for example, the average annual temperature 79 F (26 C) with the coldest month of January at 78 F and 81F at the warmest in May - it makes a difference of only 3 F These high temperatures all year round and without any change in the weather is too monotonous. The daily fluctuations (the difference between high and low each day) is quite large and it is said, that night is the winter of the tropics.

Precipitationand humidity:

The rain is heavy and falls equally in each month of the year. The relative humidity is also exaggerated. The total annual rainfall for the equatorial regions is usually more than 80 inches (2000 mm) and average relative humidity is about 80%. The high temperature in combination with high humidity, so the weather makes it very uncomfortable and seek. Using the example of Singapore, in turn, the total annual precipitation of more than 90 inches (2290 mm) and not a monthPrecipitation less than 6 inches (150 mm). This heavy rainfall leads to dense forests and large areas in this type of area are covered with dense forests.

The climate in the Amazon basin in South America, the Congo Basin in Central Africa and Indonesia and Malaysia in Asia.

The equatorial climate