Consider the following description: What is this type of climate?

Answer: (d) Marine West coast climate

Marine West Coast (NW Europe, British Columbia, New Zealand): small ranges, rain all year, 50–250 cm.

Statement by statement

1. ✓ Fits a marine climate The ocean nearby keeps summers cool and winters mild, so the annual and daily ranges stay small.

2. ✓ Fits The westerlies bring rain from the ocean in every season.

3. ✓ Fits 50–250 cm is moderate rain; equatorial rainfall is usually above 200 cm.

The idea

Three clues: small temperature range, rain in every season, moderate total. This is a climate ruled by the sea. On west coasts in the middle latitudes, westerly winds blow from the ocean all year, bringing mild air and rain in all seasons.

West coast, 40°–65° latitude → Westerlies blow from the sea all year → Warm ocean current offshore → Mild winters, cool summers → Rain in every month

Why the others are wrong

(a) Equatorial rain is usually above 200 cm; the annual range is low, but it is hot all year — the cool temperatures don’t fit.

(b) China type (humid subtropical east coast) has hot summers and a clear summer rainfall peak.

(c) Humid subtropical climates have hot summers — a large annual range.

The trap

“Rain all year + small range” also describes the equator. The cool temperatures rule it out.

Also know

It is also called the British type. Regions: north-west Europe, British Columbia, southern Chile, Tasmania and New Zealand. Natural vegetation is deciduous forest of oak, beech and elm.