Connecticut: The Constitution State Atlas
Connecticut Environment

CT Climate Characteristics

Connecticut's climate and weather are regulated by many factors. Due to its global position, on the eastern coast of a large continent with a latitudinal position of 41 - 42 degrees North, a humid continental climate is created. This climate is characterized by cold winters with temperatures averaging below freezing in January and hot summers, July temperatures average above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. (Sherer, p23: 1992)

Weather follows a cyclic pattern of every seven days. The driving force is frontal precipitation moving across the state from west to east. The average precipitation in a year is between 40" - 55". (Sherer, p23: 1992)

To the right and below are climagraphs for Bridgeport, CT and Hartford, CT. Climagraphs are used to display correlation's between temperature and precipitation. From a climagraph one can assess the weather for a given location on earth.
What can be said about Connecticut from these graphs?
- the climate can support industrial development
- the climate is likely influenced by subtropical highs in the summer and subpolar lows in the winter
- the climate is suitable for livestock
- the climate is suitable for crop harvesting.

Sources:
National Climatic Data Center. 1997

Connecticut Environment