<p>Because the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream" rel="nofollow noreferrer">gulf stream</a> upwelling, and subsequent high sea surface temperature and evaporation, causes a semi-permanent low pressure zone near but not directly along the coast. This means that the weather systems that effect the eastern seaboard are predominantly drawn from inland leading to a continental rather than maritime aligned climate. Nantucket sits in the gulf stream and benefits from it's heat.</p>

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2024-08-13T06:00:39.420Z
2024-08-13T09:25:19.690Z
2024-08-13T09:25:19.690Z
Ash
<p>Regions of north-eastern North America such as Long Island, New England and the Maritimes, are classified as Dfa and Dfb in the Köppen-Geiger classification, despite being on the coast. Why don't they have a C climate like the British Isles, New Zealand and coastal Washington state? Only Nantucket, MA, is Cfb.</p>

<climate><climatology>
Why is the climate for the north-eastern coast of North America continental (D), not temperate (C)?
Star Captain
# Why is the climate for the north-eastern coast of North America continental (D), not temperate (C)?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-08-11)

Regions of north-eastern North America such as Long Island, New England and the Maritimes, are classified as Dfa and Dfb in the Köppen-Geiger classification, despite being on the coast. Why don't they have a C climate like the British Isles, New Zealand and coastal Washington state? Only Nantucket, MA, is Cfb.

**Tags:** climate, climatology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-08-13. Score: 0

Because the [gulf stream](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream) upwelling, and subsequent high sea surface temperature and evaporation, causes a semi-permanent low pressure zone near but not directly along the coast. This means that the weather systems that effect the eastern seaboard are predominantly drawn from inland leading to a continental rather than maritime aligned climate. Nantucket sits in the gulf stream and benefits from it's heat.


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