Wyckoff, NJ, USA
Wyckoff, NJ 74.17° W/41.00° N
Wyckoff, NJ 74.17° W/41.00° N
Elevation: 331 feet
Elevation: 331 feet
Population: 17,039
Population: 17,039
Explanation of Wyckoff's Climate
Explanation of Wyckoff's Climate
- At 41º N latitude, Wyckoff has a subtropical humid climate because the average temperature of the warmest month is higher than 72º F and the average temperature of the coldest month is between 26.6º F and 62º F. At 51.1 inches, the average annual precipitation is greater than 20 inches and the driest months are not the hottest months.
- Wyckoff experiences four seasons caused by changes in solar energy related to Earth's axial tilt and revolution around the sun. The warmest month is July and the coldest month is January.
- Wyckoff is along the East Coast of North America. Wyckoff's climate is influenced by warm, moist air from the Gulf Stream current of the Atlantic Ocean. by cold, dry air from the continental polar regions, and sometimes by cold, moist air from maritime polar regions.
- Changes in the influences of continental polar, maritime tropical, and maritime polar air masses affect seasonal precipitation and temperatures. During the winter, Wyckoff weather is most strongly influenced by a cold dry continental polar air mass carried east by prevailing winds. When the continental polar air meets warm moist maritime tropical air from the south, precipitation is likely. In the winter, this may be in the form of snow, sleet, or freezing rain. In the summer, the mixing of air masses results in rain. During the winter, continental polar, maritime tropical, and maritime polar air masses may meet over Wyckoff, resulting in high winds, heavy snowfall, and blizzard conditions. A maritime polar air mass during the summer or fall months may become a blocking front forcing tropical storms to turn into New Jersey.
What Climate Change Means for New Jersey (Link to EPA document)
What Climate Change Means for New Jersey (Link to EPA document)
- According the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "New Jersey’s climate is changing. The state has warmed by about three degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) in the last century, heavy rainstorms are more frequent, and the sea is rising about one inch every six years. "
- Wyckoff is too far inland to experience a direct effect from sea level rise. However, loss of marshland and other coastal buffer zones could increase the risk of more intense storms. Sea level rise may also affect ground water resources and increase flash flooding after heavy rainfall. Warmer temperatures may increase precipitation during winter and spring, but increase periods of drought during summer and fall.
- Rising temperatures could affect the growing season in Wyckoff making the last freeze date earlier than mid-May and first freeze date later than mid-November. Hotter, drier summers will affect the types of plants that can be grown in Wyckoff. Although temperatures may become more tropical, Wyckoff will still experience the same seasonal patterns of longer daylight periods in the summer and shorter daylight periods in the winter, which will not support tropical vegetation.
- Warmer temperatures throughout the year could lead to increased winter survival of invasive insects and plants allowing the invasive species to out compete native species. The EPA warns of a risk of increased tick populations and Lyme disease from tick bites.
- Warmer summer temperatures may also affect air quality. Pollen counts may be higher. Warmer temperatures could lead to more ground level ozone formation during the summer. Both pollen and ground level ozone prose a health risk for individuals with respiratory disorders, very young children, and the elderly.
Possible Responses to Climate Change
Possible Responses to Climate Change
- Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using alternative energy resources or reducing consumption of energy produced from burning of fossil fuels.
- Landscape using native plants that are adapted to temperature and rainfall to reduce dependence on irrigation of lawns and gardens.
- Prepare for more intense storms by reducing hazards (e.g., remove dead branches or take down unhealthy trees that could fall in high winds) and by following NOAA hurricane preparedness guidelines.
- Protect ground water resources and conserve water during drier months.
Header image source: Wikipedia commons
Climate data source: Climate-data.org