Reflection #1

Source: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191502077-lima_vacations-i

Source: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Cambridgeshire/Cambridge/photo39353.htm

For the first reflection assignment, I will compare the weather and climate of Cambridge, England with that of Lima, Peru. Cambridge has a maritime climate while Lima a subtropical and desert climate. Lima has consistently mild weather throughout the year and receives little rainfall. The average low temperature in Lima is between 12°C and 18°C and the average high temperature in Lima is between 24°C and 28°C. Humidity within Lima is high and produces fast-dissipating morning fogs from December to April and continuous low-lying clouds and mist from May to November. Summers (Dec. to Apr.) in Peru's capital are warm and moist while winters (May to Nov.) are cool, damp, and cloudy. Lima is located on the coast of Peru, in the arid plains region to the west of the Andes mountains. A cold current, called the Humboldt current, travels along the coast of Peru and moderates the heat of Lima while also providing humidity and mist. The Andes mountains located to the east of Lima protect the capital city from the tropical climate and the storms formed in the Amazon Basin.

Average Temperature, Humidity, and Rainfall of Lima:

Source: http://www.limaeasy.com/lima_info/weather_in_lima_peru.php

Like Cambridge, Lima's climate is affected by nearby mountains. Both cities receive less rain than expected in their respective locations because local mountain ranges protect them from precipitation that is affecting nearby areas. Cambridge, however, receives significantly more rain annually than does Lima. Since both cities are near the ocean, their weather is impacted by currents running along the coasts. Cambridge's weather is largely dictated by the Gulf Stream while Lima's weather is dictated by the Humboldt Current. Though the Gulf Stream is a warm-water current and the Humboldt Current is a cold-water current, they both have the same effect on the two cities: the currents result in a more mild and consistent climate than is expected for the cities' locations. As a result, Lima has a cooler climate than would be expected and Cambridge has a warmer climate than would be expected. One major difference between the climate of Cambridge and that of Lima is the effect of El Niño. While Cambridge does not feel the impacts of an El Niño year, Lima experiences more rain than normal. 

Lima experiences only two seasons, winter and summer, while Cambridge enjoys the full spectrum of all four seasons. Because Lima is in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are reversed when compared to those of Cambridge. Winter in Lima occurs from May to November and summer occurs from December to April. So, while Cambridge is enjoying warm and clear summer days, Lima is trudging through an overcast and damp winter.