Oceanic climate

We explain what an oceanic climate is, and describe its characteristics and subtypes. In addition, we provide examples of plant and animal life in oceanic climate regions.

What is an oceanic climate?

An oceanic climate is a type of climate characterized by high levels of humidity and precipitation and moderate temperatures. It is found in temperate coastal regions near seas and oceans.

In oceanic climates, rainfall is typically abundant due to the proximity of humid winds from the sea, with no marked seasonal variations, though winters tend to be somewhat rainier than summers.

Under the Köppen climate classification, an oceanic climate is a subtype of temperate climate, which in turn has two varieties: the typical oceanic climate and the cold oceanic climate.

Plant and animal life in oceanic climate regions is adapted to high levels of humidity and abundant rainfall. These areas are usually home to humid forest biomes, with dense and varied vegetation, and typical animals including squirrels and moles.

• See also: Temperate climate

Characteristics of oceanic climates

An oceanic climates has the following characteristics:

• It is a type of temperate climate located near coastal areas.
• It features mild summers and cool winters.
• Rainfall is typically abundant.
• There is no dry season, though winters are somewhat rainier than summers.
• It has two subtypes: typical oceanic and cold oceanic.
• Its characteristic biome is the humid forest.
• It is found in northern and central Europe, in some temperate regions along the Pacific coast, in southern Chile and Brazil in South America, and in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea in Oceania.

Oceanic climate types

Under the Köppen climate classification, there are two subtypes of oceanic climate:

• Typical oceanic climate. The temperature of the warmest month is below 72°F (22°C), but above 50°F (10°C) for at least four months per year. The moderating influence of the sea prevents summers from being very hot and winters from being very cold. Due to its proximity to the sea, it features high levels of precipitation, with a negligible dry season in summer.
• Cold oceanic climate. The main difference with the typical oceanic climate is that cold oceanic climates have temperatures of above 50°F (10°C) for less than four months per year. This climate subtype also features high levels of humidity and abundant rainfall, which mainly occurs in winter.

The Koppen climate classification identifies five major climate types: tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar, each of which has subtypes and differentiating features. Oceanic climates are subtypes of the temperate climate.

Distribution of oceanic climates

The distribution of oceanic climates on Earth is as follows:

• Typical oceanic climate. It is found along the Atlantic coast in western Europe, in countries including Portugal, Spain, and France, as well as in northern Europe in countries such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. It is also present along parts of the Pacific coast in the United States and Canada, some Pacific coastal areas of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, in southern Chile and southern Brazil in South America, and in southeastern Australia, southern Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand in Oceania.
• Cold oceanic climate: This is a much less frequent climate, only found in coastal areas in northern Europe, including the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Scotland, as well as in some areas of Alaska in North America.

Flora and fauna of oceanic climates

The vegetation of oceanic climates is abundant and diverse. The mild temperatures and frequent, intense rainfall of these types of climates support the growth of humid forests with a great biodiversity. These forests are characterized by dense vegetation, presenting tall trees, shrubs, grasses, and mosses.

As for animal life, typical mammals and rodents of forested areas include foxes, squirrels, deer, and various species of bears. Marine fauna is also significant, with species such as seals and sea lions. Also important is the wide variety of bird species inhabiting these regions.

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