Two locations, one in northern canada and one in the southwestern United states, recive the same amount of precipitation each year. The location in canada is classified as a humid climate. Why would the location in the United states be classified as an arid climate?

Question

Two locations, one in northern canada and one in the southwestern United states, recive the same amount  of precipitation each year. The location in canada is classified as a humid climate. Why would the location in the United states be classified as an arid climate?

drwls · Accepted Answer

You must be refering to Arctic Canada. An example would be Yellowknife, Nortwest Territories, which gets about as much precipation as Phoenix, AZ. High relative humidity does not lead to a lot of precipitation in a very cold climate. Cold air holds less water in vapor form.

hafsa ikram · Answer

canada has higher temperature

Anonymous · Answer

The potential evapotranspiration is greater in the southwestern United States than in northern Canada.