subtropical

Subtropical is a geographic and climatic term describing regions situated between the tropical zone and the temperate zones. In widely used climate classifications it refers to areas where winters are generally mild and summers can be hot, with rainfall patterns that vary by subregion. Subtropical zones are not uniform; they encompass several climatic subtypes.

Two common subtropical climates are humid subtropical and dry subtropical. Humid subtropical climates experience hot, often humid summers and mild to cool winters, with ample rainfall that supports forests, grasslands, and agriculture. Dry subtropical climates have hot summers and mild winters but a pronounced dry season, often with rainfall concentrated in a specific part of the year; these areas can include semi-arid woodlands and scrublands. Some subtropical zones also occur at high elevations where cooler conditions dominate, producing subtropical highland climates.

Geographically, subtropical regions lie on the outer edges of the tropical zone and extend into the temperate latitudes. Examples include parts of the southeastern United States and eastern Asia, southern China and Japan, the southern portions of Africa and Australia, the Mediterranean basin, and the western coasts of several continents. These regions support diverse ecosystems, from evergreen broadleaf forests to savannas and scrublands, and host crops such as citrus fruits, tea, grapes, and rice in suitable climates.

Human activity and climate change influence subtropical areas through heat waves, droughts, shifting precipitation, and the potential for tropical cyclone activity in coastal margins.