<span>The marine west coast climate is a biome characteristic of being located midway between the tropics and arctic or Antarctic regions of the world, most often between 35 and 60 degrees north. This climate's major characteristics are mild summers and winters and abundant annual precipitation. This ecosystem is highly influenced by its proximity to the coast and to mountains. It is sometimes known as the humid west coast climate or the oceanic climate. In additional to coastal plains and mountains, this type of climate is often characterized by glacial valleys and fjords.
Marine west coast climates are typically found to the west of large mountain ranges that cause fronts to collide and release all of their precipitation. Wet warm air from the coast rises and cools as it goes over the mountain. This causes the water in the air to cool and condense, resulting in rain, drizzle, and fog. Then drier air proceeds inland. This is known as the rain shadow effect, which in basic terms is when a mountain blocks the advance of wet weather, creating a dry biome on the other side and a wet biome on the ocean side. This results in a very special climate.
Think of areas such as British Columbia in Canada, Washington and Oregon in the United States, and most of the continent of Europe. Parts of Africa and Australia are also considered marine west coast despite not being located on a west coast of the continent.</span>
