Average Annual Precipitation
A temperate rain forest (versus a tropical rain forest) is defined by its vegetation, amount of rainfall (about 100 inches per year) and ”temperate” weather, neither hot nor cold. Yes, we are in one because the Highlands Plateau is a part of the Jocassee Gorge, which is the only temperate rain forest east of the Rocky Mountains. Check out the following two maps to see just how special we are in western North Carolina, US and NC.
It is now no wonder why our hikes are so beautiful with all of the lush plant life, amazing views and rushing water. In addition, our temperatures and rainfall makes living here extremely pleasant when others are suffocating in summer heat.
The Highlands Nature Center is a great local source for additional information about the nature around us. Be sure and check out their summer nature camps for children of all ages and visit on Mondays when they ”feed the animals”.
It’s amazing how varying the vegetation is and this post with the map really tells the story without all the fluff.
I knew there were areas with high amounts of rain but not of rain forest caliber.
Thanks for the education!
With the elevation over 3500 above sea level, some of the precipitation we get in the winter comes in the form of snow. We definitely have four distinct seasons. Maybe you’ll get to see some snow when you’re up here teaching the Green Building classes.