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microclimate

/ˈmaɪkrəˌklaɪmɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: microclimates

A microclimate is the prevailing pattern of weather or atmospheric conditions in a specific, small area. It could be as large as a valley or as small as the space between two rocks.

A microclimate is like a mini-climate zone created when local landscape features alter how heat, wind, and moisture interact in a particular place. The base of a mountain might be hot and dry, while a nearby shaded canyon remains cool and damp. Cities create their own microclimates: You might have noticed that a green park often has a different temperature than nearby streets. That's because asphalt and concrete trap more heat than grass, and trees provide cooling shade.

Definitions of microclimate
  1. noun
    the specific climate of a small area or habitat
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