Climate
Pennsylvania's diverse topography also produces a variety of climates, though the entire state experiences cold winters and humid summers. Straddling two major zones, the majority of the state, with the exception of the southeastern corner, has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa). Greater Philadelphia has some characteristics of the humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) that covers much of Delaware and Maryland to the south.
Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes markedly colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Western areas of the state, particularly locations near Lake Erie, can receive over 100 inches (250 cm) of snowfall annually, and the entire state receives plentiful precipitation throughout the year. The state may be subject to severe weather from spring through summer into fall, as an average of 10 tornadoes touch down each year in the state.
| Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Pennsylvania Cities in °F | ||||||||||||
| City | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May. | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | 34/19 | 37/21 | 47/28 | 59/39 | 70/48 | 78/57 | 82/62 | 80/60 | 73/53 | 61/42 | 50/34 | 38/24 |
| Erie | 34/21 | 36/21 | 44/28 | 56/38 | 67/48 | 76/59 | 80/64 | 79/63 | 72/56 | 61/46 | 50/37 | 38/27 |
| Pittsburgh | 36/21 | 40/23 | 50/30 | 62/40 | 71/49 | 79/58 | 83/63 | 82/62 | 75/54 | 63/43 | 52/35 | 40/25 |
| Harrisburg | 38/23 | 41/24 | 51/32 | 64/42 | 73/52 | 82/63 | 86/67 | 84/66 | 77/58 | 65/45 | 54/36 | 42/27 |
| Philadelphia | 40/26 | 44/28 | 53/34 | 64/44 | 74/54 | 83/64 | 87/69 | 85/68 | 78/60 | 67/48 | 56/39 | 45/30 |
| Allentown | 36/21 | 40/23 | 50/30 | 62/40 | 72/49 | 80/59 | 85/64 | 83/62 | 75/54 | 64/42 | 53/34 | 41/25 |
| East Stroudsburg | 35/16 | 39/17 | 49/26 | 61/36 | 72/46 | 80/55 | 85/59 | 83/58 | 75/50 | 64/38 | 51/30 | 40/22 |
| , ,
, East Stroudsburg |
||||||||||||
Read more about this topic: Demographics Of Pennsylvania
Famous quotes containing the word climate:
“Certainly parents play a crucial role in the lives of individuals who are intellectually gifted or creatively talented. But this role is not one of active instruction, of teaching children skills,... rather, it is support and encouragement parents give children and the intellectual climate that they create in the home which seem to be the critical factors.”
—David Elkind (20th century)
“Is not their climate foggy, raw, and dull,
On whom, as in despite, the sun looks pale,
Killing their fruit with frowns?”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“A positive learning climate in a school for young children is a composite of many things. It is an attitude that respects children. It is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement from the responsible adults around them. It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear of failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children’s self-confidence so they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures a love of learning.”
—Carol B. Hillman (20th century)