2.Climate

The United States is mainly situated in the northern temperate zone.But，owing to its large size and varied landforms，it has different types of climate in different areas.

The climate of New England is relatively cold.The winters here are long and hard.In many parts of Maine，for example，there is snow on the ground from early November to late May.The summers are short and warm.The fall，however，is a beautiful time of year.In the fall，the leaves of trees turn different colors，giving the hills and woods a bright look.Many people visit New England at this time of year just to ride through the woods and enjoy their beauty.

The climate of the Middle Atlantic States region is generally pleasant.There are four definite seasons.The winters are cold and snowy，and the springs are warm，with plenty of rain to help the growth of crops.Summers are short and hot hut pleasant，while the falls are cool.

The south enjoys a warm climate and abundant rainfall.The climate，however，varies with the geographical position of each state.Virginia and North Carolina have a temperate climate like that of Maryland.In southern Florida，on the other hand，the climate is almost tropical.Georgia，Alabama，Mississippi，and Louisiana all have warm climates with almost no cold or winter weather.Some states in this region are sometimes harassed by the disaster of hurricanes⁴.On average five hurricanes each year threaten the eastern and southern United States.

The climate of the Midwest is temperate.The region lies in a great valley between the Allegheny Mountains to the east and the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to the west.This is a largely open country，and the wind blows freely，often bringing sudden and extreme changes in temperature.Midwest summers are sometimes very hot；winters are sometimes extremely cold.The region receives sufficient rainfall for farming.

The climate in the Great Plains varies widely.North Dakota has extreme temperatures，strong winds，and little rainfall.Oklahoma，on the other hand，has a more temperate climate.The open treeless，unbroken land offers little protection against storms or against the rapid changes of weather that occur in this area.In winter，snow piles up to 6meters high in some places.In summer，in these same places，both plants and animals may die from the extreme heat.In many parts of the plains states there is little rain.Extended periods of very hot weather during a summer without rain may not only destroy crops but also turn the land into dust.This dust often turns into the infamous dust storms of this area，destroying farms and farm buildings and leaving the land bare of all fertile soil.

The states west of the Rockies have sharply different climatic conditions.This is largely because of the effects of the mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean.Winds from the Pacific bring plenty of rain，yet these winds are conditioned by the mountains along the coast.Generally speaking，the western slopes of the Coastal Mountains are cool，rainy，and cloudy.The part of Washington near the Pacific has the highest rainfall in the US.But after crossing these mountains，very little rain falls and deserts appear.