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| Anchorage Alaska |
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| Buenos Aires Argentina |
Anchorage vs. Buenos Aires
Anchorage Alaska is classified by the Koppen system as a Dfc (humid high latitude-harsh winters) it is located at 61° N and 150° W, this high latitude significantly changes the climate and climate controls, the suns solar angle or lack of is a distinct macro climate control of high latitudes. Micro-climate controls such as the plant density is far different than that of South America. Buenos Aires is classified as an Cfa Koppen climate (Humid subtropical, warm summers and mild winters) and is located about 30° closer to the equator creating much more mid-latitude seasonality and a more direct sun angle throughout the year. The plants of South America are an important micro-climate control to the region; the plants in South America transpire much more water than that of high latitude plants contributing to a moister climate in Buenos Aires. The population density of each city is completely different as well creating a more pronounced urban heat island in Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
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| Sunlight exposure for Buenos Aires |
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| Sunlight exposure for Anchorage |
Anchorage is located on the west side of North America near the cold water Alaskan current and is surrounded by several mountain ranges, the closest being the Chugach Mountains. The proximity to a mountain range creates another meso-climate control and can heavily influence weather patterns the city experiences. This is very different from Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is located on the opposite coast of a continent near a warm water current far from any orographic climate controls. Anchorage’s weather and climate are heavily influenced by the mountains and ocean, whereas Buenos Aires is primarily affected by the ocean. There is one similar feature that Buenos Aires and Anchorage share and that is that they lay on coastal lowland with an elevation of around 100 feet above sea level. This similarity is one of few each location shares.
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| Climate graph of Anchorage |
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| Climate graph of Buenos Aires |
Situated along the Northern Pacific coast at a latitude of 61° N, the city experiences a combined effect of subarctic and maritime climates. However the air masses that converge around Anchorage are arctic and polar, maritime and continental. This places it on the northern edge of the polar front, creating a harsh climate, especially during the winter months. This is very different from Buenos Aires location and the air masses that converge. It is safe to say that while Anchorage is in the midst of the winter months that you would want to be in Buenos Aires temperate climate, and because each location is in a different hemisphere it is the perfect opportunity to go on a South American summer vacation!
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