Difference between revisions of "Winter in Canada and the United States"
From Halal Explorer
m (Text replacement - "can have" to "can obtain") |
m (Text replacement - "<h2 class=subheader>What to see in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>" to "<h2 class=subheader>What to See</h2>") |
||
| (32 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | [[file:Cheesman Park Denver Winter banner.jpg|1280px|[[Denver]], Colorado in winter. | |
| − | Most of Canada and large parts of the United States have cold and potentially snowy winters, posing a challenge to visitors. | + | Most of [[Canada]] and large parts of the [[United States of America|United States]] have cold and potentially snowy winters, posing a challenge to visitors.<h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Travel Guide</h2> |
| − | |||
| − | <h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Travel Guide</h2> | ||
Central Park (5367196760) - New York City can obtain snowy winters.|300x300px]] | Central Park (5367196760) - New York City can obtain snowy winters.|300x300px]] | ||
| − | As North American mountain ranges go north-south, weather changes can be rather dramatic, with occasional snowstorms down into the South. As a general principle | + | As North American mountain ranges go north-south, weather changes can be rather dramatic, with occasional snowstorms down into the South. As a general principle and the inland (which makes up most of the North American continent) has larger temperature difference between summer and winter than the coast. |
| − | The United States uses '''US customary units''' for weather reports, including degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and inches of mercury for air pressure. Since 1970, Canada has officially used the metric scale (including degrees Celsius), but imperial units (including °F) are still in traditional use. Near the US-Canadian border, US and metric units are used in parallel. See Metric and Imperial equivalents for details about unit conversions. | + | The [[United States of America|United States]] uses '''US customary units''' for weather reports, including degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and inches of mercury for air pressure. Since 1970, [[Canada]] has officially used the metric scale (including degrees Celsius), but imperial units (including °F) are still in traditional use. Near the US-Canadian border, US and metric units are used in parallel. See Metric and Imperial equivalents for details about unit conversions. |
===Climate zones=== | ===Climate zones=== | ||
| − | Arctic Alaska, much of northern Canada and most of Greenland are within the '''Arctic''', and temperatures are normally below 10 °C year-round. The rest of Alaska and most of Canada have either '''boreal''' or '''sub-Arctic climates''', with short summers and long, cold winters. The same applies for the highest parts of the Rocky Mountains (United States)|Rocky Mountains in the United States. Southern Canada and most of the contiguous United States (except the south and southwest) have a '''temperate climate''', where winters are short, but can be intensely cold. | + | Arctic [[Alaska]], much of northern [[Canada]] and most of Greenland are within the '''Arctic''', and temperatures are normally below 10 °C year-round. The rest of Alaska and most of [[Canada]] have either '''boreal''' or '''sub-Arctic climates''', with short summers and long, cold winters. The same applies for the highest parts of the Rocky Mountains (United States)|Rocky Mountains in the [[United States of America|United States]]. Southern [[Canada]] and most of the contiguous [[United States of America|United States]] (except the south and southwest) have a '''temperate climate''', where winters are short, but can be intensely cold. |
| − | The southwestern and southern United States (as well as northern Mexico) have a '''subtropical climate''', where sub-zero temperatures are unusual, but not unheard of. Higher altitudes in these regions (the Appalachians in the southeast, and the various plateaus and mountains of the southwest) will often be much colder. A particularly dramatic contrast by altitude is in | + | The southwestern and southern [[United States of America|United States]] (as well as northern Mexico) have a '''subtropical climate''', where sub-zero temperatures are unusual, but not unheard of. Higher altitudes in these regions (the Appalachians in the southeast, and the various plateaus and mountains of the southwest) will often be much colder. A particularly dramatic contrast by altitude is in [[Arizona]]—in the state's capital of [[Phoenix]], freezing weather is common; but Flagstaff, less than three hours' drive to the north but about 5,800 feet/1,750 m higher, gets regular snowfall and low temperatures below freezing for over 200 days per year. The '''tropics''' (Florida, southern [[California]], Hawaii and the [[Caribbean]] and Central America) are warm year-round — except for higher altitudes which are not as warm but lack large temperature changes between the seasons. |
| − | Silver Lake - | + | Silver Lake - The Sierra Mountains in [[California]], at a latitude similar to that of [[Spain]]. Yet, this picture was taken in September: imagine how the scene would look a few months later. |
| − | North America has colder winters than similar latitudes in Europe; on the US-Canada border (which mostly follows the 49th parallel) winter temperature is persistently minus 15 degrees C or colder; Paris and Vienna, which are nearly on the same latitude, are usually above zero. Churchill is roughly the same latitude as Stockholm, but can be 20 °C colder or more in winter. | + | North America has colder winters than similar latitudes in Europe; on the US-Canada border (which mostly follows the 49th parallel) winter temperature is persistently minus 15 degrees C or colder; [[Paris]] and Vienna, which are nearly on the same latitude, are usually above zero. [[Churchill]] is roughly the same latitude as [[Stockholm]], but can be 20 °C colder or more in winter. |
| − | The Great Lakes create a micro-climate zone; occasionally | + | The Great Lakes create a micro-climate zone; occasionally and the lands east of the lakes can see enormous amounts of snow. The Pacific Coast has mild winters, with plenty of rain during the cold season — although mountain ranges in the region are a different story, and can be cold and snowy in winter. The cities on the coast itself, like Vancouver in [[Canada]] and [[Seattle]], [[San Francisco]], and [[Los Angeles]] in the [[United States of America|United States]] have mild winters or no winters at all. |
== Get around == | == Get around == | ||
{{See also|Winter driving}} | {{See also|Winter driving}} | ||
| − | The United States and Canada are among the world's most car-dependent countries. Urban streets and major highways are usually plowed soon after snowfall; countryside roads are another story. | + | The [[United States of America|United States]] and [[Canada]] are among the world's most car-dependent countries. Urban streets and major highways are usually plowed soon after snowfall; countryside roads are another story. |
| − | In the Sierra Nevada|Sierra Nevada Mountains in California | + | In the Sierra Nevada|Sierra Nevada Mountains in [[California]] and there are several highways that go over the mountain passes, and many of the state routes close during the winter. The passes around Lake Tahoe have lower elevations than those to the south and therefore are less likely to be closed; as you go south and the passes get higher and the roads are likely to be closed for large portions of the year. |
| − | <h2 class=subheader>What to | + | <h2 class=subheader>What to See</h2> |
Many popular American tourist destinations, like Yosemite National Park|Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, get snow in winter. It makes these places look completely different, so if you haven't visited them in winter, that is another option. | Many popular American tourist destinations, like Yosemite National Park|Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, get snow in winter. It makes these places look completely different, so if you haven't visited them in winter, that is another option. | ||
| − | <h2 class=subheader>What to | + | <h2 class=subheader>What to Do</h2> |
| − | Probability of a white Christmas in the United States 1981-2010 - Probability of a White Christmas in the United States.|355x355px]] | + | Probability of a white Christmas in the [[United States of America|United States]] 1981-2010 - Probability of a White Christmas in the [[United States of America|United States]].|355x355px]] |
| − | North America has many resorts for downhill snowsports, especially in the Rocky Mountains. While ice hockey in North America is associated with winter | + | North America has many resorts for downhill snowsports, especially in the Rocky Mountains. While ice hockey in North America is associated with winter and the National Hockey League has gravitated towards the South in recent decades. |
=== Events === | === Events === | ||
| − | Christmas and New Year travel|'''Christmas''' is a major holiday in the United States and Canada. A White Christmas is likely in most of Canada, with the exception of coastal British Columbia and southern Ontario. | + | Christmas and New Year travel|'''Christmas''' is a major holiday in the [[United States of America|United States]] and Canada. A White Christmas is likely in most of [[Canada]], with the exception of coastal [[British Columbia]] and southern Ontario. |
| − | <h2 class=subheader>Stay | + | <h2 class=subheader>Stay Safe</h2> |
| − | + | {{seealso|Cold weather|Snow safety|Ice safety}} | |
| − | The need for precautions varies with location. Cities with regularly long and snowy winters (such as Winnipeg) tend to have better winter utilities than cities such as New York City, where snow and cold temperatures are less common. | + | The need for precautions varies with location. Cities with regularly long and snowy winters (such as [[Winnipeg]]) tend to have better winter utilities than cities such as [[New York City]], where snow and cold temperatures are less common. |
Regions colored gold/brown on the map to the right, especially towards the southern end of the map, rarely receive extremely cold weather, with the exception of high mountain peaks, and generally in these regions cold weather is not a major concern. | Regions colored gold/brown on the map to the right, especially towards the southern end of the map, rarely receive extremely cold weather, with the exception of high mountain peaks, and generally in these regions cold weather is not a major concern. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | * North American wildlife | + | * North American wildlife |
* Winter in the Nordic countries | * Winter in the Nordic countries | ||
{{PartOfTopic|Outdoor life|North America}} | {{PartOfTopic|Outdoor life|North America}} | ||
{{outlinetopic}} | {{outlinetopic}} | ||
Latest revision as of 04:56, 19 September 2024
As North American mountain ranges go north-south, weather changes can be rather dramatic, with occasional snowstorms down into the South. As a general principle and the inland (which makes up most of the North American continent) has larger temperature difference between summer and winter than the coast.
The United States uses US customary units for weather reports, including degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and inches of mercury for air pressure. Since 1970, Canada has officially used the metric scale (including degrees Celsius), but imperial units (including °F) are still in traditional use. Near the US-Canadian border, US and metric units are used in parallel. See Metric and Imperial equivalents for details about unit conversions.
Climate zones
Arctic Alaska, much of northern Canada and most of Greenland are within the Arctic, and temperatures are normally below 10 °C year-round. The rest of Alaska and most of Canada have either boreal or sub-Arctic climates, with short summers and long, cold winters. The same applies for the highest parts of the Rocky Mountains (United States)|Rocky Mountains in the United States. Southern Canada and most of the contiguous United States (except the south and southwest) have a temperate climate, where winters are short, but can be intensely cold.
The southwestern and southern United States (as well as northern Mexico) have a subtropical climate, where sub-zero temperatures are unusual, but not unheard of. Higher altitudes in these regions (the Appalachians in the southeast, and the various plateaus and mountains of the southwest) will often be much colder. A particularly dramatic contrast by altitude is in Arizona—in the state's capital of Phoenix, freezing weather is common; but Flagstaff, less than three hours' drive to the north but about 5,800 feet/1,750 m higher, gets regular snowfall and low temperatures below freezing for over 200 days per year. The tropics (Florida, southern California, Hawaii and the Caribbean and Central America) are warm year-round — except for higher altitudes which are not as warm but lack large temperature changes between the seasons.
Silver Lake - The Sierra Mountains in California, at a latitude similar to that of Spain. Yet, this picture was taken in September: imagine how the scene would look a few months later.
North America has colder winters than similar latitudes in Europe; on the US-Canada border (which mostly follows the 49th parallel) winter temperature is persistently minus 15 degrees C or colder; Paris and Vienna, which are nearly on the same latitude, are usually above zero. Churchill is roughly the same latitude as Stockholm, but can be 20 °C colder or more in winter.
The Great Lakes create a micro-climate zone; occasionally and the lands east of the lakes can see enormous amounts of snow. The Pacific Coast has mild winters, with plenty of rain during the cold season — although mountain ranges in the region are a different story, and can be cold and snowy in winter. The cities on the coast itself, like Vancouver in Canada and Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the United States have mild winters or no winters at all.
Get around
- See also: Winter driving
The United States and Canada are among the world's most car-dependent countries. Urban streets and major highways are usually plowed soon after snowfall; countryside roads are another story.
In the Sierra Nevada|Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and there are several highways that go over the mountain passes, and many of the state routes close during the winter. The passes around Lake Tahoe have lower elevations than those to the south and therefore are less likely to be closed; as you go south and the passes get higher and the roads are likely to be closed for large portions of the year.
What to See
Many popular American tourist destinations, like Yosemite National Park|Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, get snow in winter. It makes these places look completely different, so if you haven't visited them in winter, that is another option.
What to Do
Probability of a white Christmas in the United States 1981-2010 - Probability of a White Christmas in the United States.|355x355px]]
North America has many resorts for downhill snowsports, especially in the Rocky Mountains. While ice hockey in North America is associated with winter and the National Hockey League has gravitated towards the South in recent decades.
Events
Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas is a major holiday in the United States and Canada. A White Christmas is likely in most of Canada, with the exception of coastal British Columbia and southern Ontario.
Stay Safe
- See also: Cold weather, Snow safety, Ice safety
The need for precautions varies with location. Cities with regularly long and snowy winters (such as Winnipeg) tend to have better winter utilities than cities such as New York City, where snow and cold temperatures are less common.
Regions colored gold/brown on the map to the right, especially towards the southern end of the map, rarely receive extremely cold weather, with the exception of high mountain peaks, and generally in these regions cold weather is not a major concern.
See also
- North American wildlife
- Winter in the Nordic countries