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Is San Francisco a microclimate?
Bay Area Microclimates. The Bay Area is unusual in the wide variety of climates that exist just within a few miles of each other. Even San Francisco, only 7 miles square, has microclimates within its city limits. This area is considered to have a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters.
Why does San Francisco have microclimates?
The simple reason is the cold Pacific Ocean. This cold ocean air rushes in as condensation or fog. Moving in a west-to-east direction it cools everything in its path. The interesting thing is that were San Francisco totally flat, there would be very few microclimates.
How does the California Current affect San Francisco’s climate?
The climate of San Francisco is influenced by the Pacific Ocean. The cool California current comes from the north. Upwelling brings cold water from the deep. So the water offshore is cold.
Why is San Francisco so temperate?
Indeed San Francisco weather is dominated by its marine layer, directly from the ocean on the west but also from the north due to the marine air that enters the Bay through the Golden Gate gap. But in reality, the marine layer influences the coast all along California.
What are the micro-climates of San Francisco?
San Francisco is a city with a variety of micro-climates. The city’s varied topographic, oceanic influences, and geographic location influences the micro-climates of San Francisco. San Francisco is a hilly city. There are at least 50 hills located with the city’s boundaries.
What is the geography like in San Francisco?
Hills are a prominent feature in San Francisco’s geography. The highest hills are found towards the central part of the city. These hills contribute to the microclimates found in the city. One example of this is the Mission District. This is where Seals Stadium used to be, is one of the warmer parts of the city.
Why is there so much fog in San Francisco?
Temperatures in San Francisco are often cooler than locations further inland within the Bay Area region. The oceanic influences produce dense fog in San Francisco. Cool ocean currents combining with a marine layer help to produce dense fog.
What type of climate does the Bay Area have?
A microclimate takes place with statistical climatic conditions differing from the immediate surrounding areas. It is officially listed as having a Mediterranean climate. A Mediterranean climate is described as warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters. This is considered the climate of the Bay Area region.