Natalie Rahrovi
Professor Patrich
GEOGRPH - 105
21 February 2023
Module 3 Assignment
Prompt #1
Climate is the long-term average of weather, traditionally over a 30 year time span.
California is known to have unique and complex weather. California's unique weather is due to
its geographic location. California stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Sierra Nevada
Mountains and the climate is mostly affected by its coastal location. The textbook even states
that, “California has a coast line nearly 1000 miles in length, reaching through ten degrees of
latitude” (Fairbanks, 16). California’s longitude and latitude is 36.7783° N, 119.4179° W. The
Golden State is located in Western United States and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and
mountain ranges.
The weather can be different from one region to another in California on the same day
because of its topography. The coastal areas experience cool and humid conditions due to the
ocean breeze, while the inland regions experience hot and dry conditions due to its lack of the
ocean breeze. Furthermore, the mountains create barriers that contain precipitation on one side,
creating a rain shadow effect on the other side. Without these mountain barriers, the cool winds
from the ocean would travel inland and affect the entire climate of the state.
In Desert Regions of the state like The Mojave Desert, are located in Southern California
and experience hot and dry weather throughout the year. During the summer, the temperatures
can be boiling hot and freezing during the winter months.
In the Southern region of California, you may experience hot and dry weather conditions,
while Northern California might be more colder and rainy. This region has a Mediterranean
climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. However, the weather can vary
depending on the closeness to the coast and elevation. Coastal areas tend to be cooler while
inland areas can be much hotter and warmer.
My sister lives in San Francisco and we always talk about how different the weather is
from where we live. The Coastal region of California experiences a Mediterranean climate with
mild, wet winters and dry summers. The San Francisco Bay Area is also known for its climate,
which can vary from one area to the next. For instance, the coastal areas can be cool and foggy
while inland areas can be much warmer.
Lastly, let's talk about the weather in The Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada mountain
range receives a good amount of snowfall. This mountain region experiences a climate with cold,
snowy winters and dry summers. The elevation plays an important role in the weather patterns,
with higher elevations being cooler and wetter.
The weather in all three places in California can be different from one another on the
same day because of the state's diverse and unique climate patterns. For example, hot and dry
Santa Ana winds can cause temperatures to rise in Southern California areas like Los Angeles.
while coastal areas are cool and foggy. The mountains can be dry on one side and the other side
can be more wet. These varieties of climate and weather further prove California’s
unpredictability and complexity of weather. In conclusion, it is common to experience different
weather conditions in many regions of California on the same day.
Fairbanks, Harold W. The Geography of California. Whitaker & Ray-Wiggin Co., 1912.
