Description

Cwb: C = Temperate  w = Winter dry  b = Warm Summer

Highland climates, although still fitting into one of the Koppen climate classifications, have a distinctly different climate from surrounding lands at lower elevations. Although typically inland, highland climates often share a common characteristic with oceanic climates in that summers are cooler than the adjacent areas. For oceanic climates, the proximity of relatively cooler water produces lower temperatures in the summer. For highland climates, it is the elevation which causes this since temperatures usually decrease with height.

The subtropical highland climate exists in elevated portions of the world that are within either the tropics or subtropics, though it is typically found in mountainous locations in some tropical countries. It experiences noticeably drier weather during the lower-sun "winter" season, and it usually has mild winters.

In locations outside the tropics, other than the drying trend in the winter, subtropical highland climates tend to have mild summers and noticeably cooler winters, plus, in some instances, some snowfall. In the tropics, a subtropical highland climate typically features spring-like weather year-round. Temperatures there remain relatively constant throughout the year and snowfall is seldom seen.

Areas with this climate feature monthly averages below 22 °C but above −3 °C. At least one month's average temperature is below 18 °C and at least four months with an average temperature above 10 °C . 

Location

Dry-winter subtropical highland climate (Cwb) is a type of climate mainly found in highlands inside the tropics of Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia or areas in the subtropics. Winters are noticeable and dry, and summers can be very rainy. In the tropics, the monsoon is provoked by the tropical air masses and the dry winters by subtropical high pressure. 

Flight safety and planning considerations

Destinations with a subtropical highland climate present relatively few weather related safety challenges beyond those associated with summer thunderstorms and contaminated runways following rain or snow showers.

Related articles

Koppen climate classification system (KCC)