New England Online > Geography > Climate of New England
Climate of New England
New England is divided into two major and distinct Climate Zones, they being sub-tropical and temperate. These zones can be further subdivided into inland and coastal divisions, which despite the similar climate, have quite different ecosystems.
Changes in the climate over the last sixty years has led to more erratic rainfall patterns developing over New England. In temperate areas, the winters are longer and colder (with drier conditions overall), while in sub-tropical areas, the summers are hotter, but are often interupted with heavy storm rains in the afternoon.
Sub-Tropical Zone
There are three sub-tropical areas in New England, which between them occupy about 30% of the country. The largest sub-tropical area is the coastal plain is considered sub-tropical and the area enjoys warm to very warm summers and mild winters. Storms are quite common over the summer months and the occasional cyclone can reach New England in autumn.
The other two sub-tropical areas are located in the far south-west and the north-west of the country as the Great Dividing Range levels out to the Western Plains. Unlike the coast, these zones are much drier and do not receive anywhere near the same amount of rainfall that falls along the coast.
Temperate Zone
Inland, the tablelands have a temperate zone which occupies the remaining 70% of the country. The tablelands run up the centre of the country along the Great Dividing Range that divides the watershed of the coastal and inland rivers.
They enjoy cool and very cool winters and mild summers. In winter, frosts, sleet and snow is not uncommon, and the overnight temperature often falls below 0°C. The majority of rain falls from spring to autumn. Summers are mild, with the temperature seldom exceeding 30°C.
