These areas have two distinct rainy seasons associated with  the  northward  and  southward  movement  of  the ITCZ.  Rainfall  averages  over  120  inches  annually  in some    areas.    Throughout    the    rest    of    the    year, precipitation remains plentiful because of the influx of maritime  air  from  the  west.  There  are  no  significant mountains  in  the  region  to  prevent  this  maritime  air from migrating inland. Temperatures are moderate year round. Southeast Coastal Region The    southeast    coastal    region    has    a    humid subtropical climate. This region has rainfall all year (45 inches   on   the   average)   and   temperatures   remain generally moderate all year, ranging from an average maximum of 72°F in winter (July) to 89°F in summer (January). Southeastern Interior Region This  region  has  a  wet-and-dry  type  of  maritime climate; however, it is considered temperate because of the lower temperatures common to the higher elevation. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND WEATHER Australia  has  a  generally  mild  climate  with  cool winters  in  the  south  and  warm  winters  in  the  north. Summers are warm along the coasts and generally hot in  the  interior.  Freezing  temperatures  are  infrequent. Australia’s climatic zones are relatively uncomplicated due to the lack of high mountain ranges. The northern third of Australia is located within the tropical  zone.  The  region  has  a  rainy  season  that  runs from January to April. Annual precipitation is greatest (nearly 100 inches) in the extreme north and tapers off to the south and inland toward the semiarid interior. The interior, along the Tropic of Capricorn, is very hot and dry in the summer with average maximum temperatures  at  or  above  90°F.  In  the  winter,  average maximum temperatures in some areas drop to 68°F. The  southern  two-thirds  of  Australia  is  under  the influence  of  the  high-pressure  belts  of  the  Southern Hemisphere  as  well  as  of  the  migratory  lows  found farther southward. The southwest and southern portions    of    this    region    have    rainy    winters    and near-drought  conditions  in  the  summer  similar  to  the Mediterranean  climate.  Temperatures  average  80°F  in January and 55°F in July. The climate of the southeast corner is very similar to the southwest region except it experiences a shorter winter and less annual precipitation. New Zealand is located southeast of Australia. It is a  very  narrow  country  with  a  southwest  to  northeast orientation and is exposed to the prevailing westerlies. Therefore, the climate is moderate and predominantly maritime with moderate precipitation occurring throughout the year. The northern part of New Zealand has  a  subtropical  climate;  however,  winter  frost  and occasional snow can occur at locations farther south in highland   areas.   Fog   is   often   widespread   and   very persistent  over  much  of  the  country  in  advance  of approaching frontal systems. Precipitation averages 49 inches in the northern half of the country and up to 170 inches in the southern half. Temperatures range from an annual  average  of  59°F  in  the  north  and  55°F  in  the central region to 50°F in the south. REVIEW QUESTIONS Q6-17.     What are the two climatic extremes that relate to water and land distribution over the earth? Q6-18.     What region in the United States experiences Mediterranean type climate? Q6-19. What  is  the  major  cause  of  the  winter  and summer monsoons near Asia? Q6-20. Why   does   South   America   lack   the   severe weather that is common in North America? 6-30