Geography of Bermuda
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Nickname: The Rock or Devil's Isles | |
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Amerindian |
Native terrestrial ecology
Bermuda's ecology has been altered radically since the 16th century by humans and the plants and animals they introduced. Some species had actually become extinct long before this, including the short-tailed albatross, a species which occurs today only in the northern Pacific Ocean.
Flora
Of 165 plant species found in Bermuda today, 14 are
Fauna
There were few species of land animal in Bermuda before the arrival of humans. The only vertebrate species was the
Introduced flora and fauna
Since discovery by humans, numerous species have been introduced to the island, some deliberately, like the casurina, the feral pig, the cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), anoles, ladybird beetles, and the kiskadee, some incidentally, like the Norwegian rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus), and the others accidentally, like the scale mites, and the brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus). Other imported species include the cane toad (Bufo marinus), and tree frogs.
In addition to casuarinas, numerous other species of tree, bush, shrub, cacti, palm, and other grasses have been introduced, with many of them proving to be invasive species. Despite the decimation of the cedar, those parts of the island not covered in buildings and tarmac are now densely covered in trees and shrubbery, including
Many domestic animal species have been introduced, including dogs, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, and cats, with cats long having established a large feral population.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification Bermuda lies in the transition zone between tropical rainforest climate (Af) and humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Although Bermuda meets the temperature threshold of a tropical climate (coolest month has a mean temperature of 18 °C (64 °F) or higher), the higher latitude of Bermuda (32°18′North) is north of the latitude that most tropical climates are typically found. Bermuda has never experienced a freeze or frost, and winters are quite warm by European and North American standards.
Bermuda experiences hot and humid summers (mid-summer high temperatures generally reach as high a 86 °F (30 °C), with a record high of 93 °F (34 °C) during August, 1989)
Bermuda's weather is largely controlled by the position and structure of the Bermuda-Azores High. This semi-permanent high pressure area (often centered southwest of the Azores) extends a ridge westward toward Bermuda during the spring and summer when the high is most intense. Oriented west-to-east to the near south of Bermuda, clockwise flow around the surface high brings prevailing winds from the southwest for much of the summer and subsequently prevents fronts from reaching the island. However, the ridge sometimes shifts to the north of the island allowing easterly or northeasterly winds.[2] In fall and winter, the ridge near Bermuda becomes more transient, allowing frontal systems to affect the island. Winds around these systems are much more variable (and often stronger) but typically settle out of the southwest ahead of a cold front and shift to the west or northwest behind a cold front.
A local weather phenomenon that occurs mainly in late summer is colloquially known as "Morgan's Cloud".[3] On otherwise fair, hot summer days with light southwesterly winds, convective clouds can develop along the length of the island and blow to the northeast growing. In extreme cases, this cloud formation can develop into heavy showers and thunderstorms and it has been known to produce funnel clouds and waterspouts in the eastern parishes. This phenomenon also occurs in the less common northeasterly wind regime ("reverse" Morgan's Cloud) but its effects are felt in the western parishes. The key to Morgan's Cloud forming is light winds blowing along the length of the island which is often warmer than the surrounding waters on hot summer days. This organizes upward motions allowing this cloud formation to occur. Similar localized cloud development is observed in linear tropical and subtropical islands globally. Furthermore, showers following strong cold fronts in wintertime form in a similar manner to lake-effect snow. Cold air blowing over warm water decreases atmospheric stability, allowing convection to form and grow into showers.
The
Climate data for Bermuda (L.F. Wade International Airport) (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1949-2023)[a] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7) |
26.1 (79.0) |
26.1 (79.0) |
27.2 (81.0) |
30.0 (86.0) |
32.2 (90.0) |
33.1 (91.6) |
33.9 (93.0) |
33.2 (91.8) |
31.7 (89.0) |
28.9 (84.0) |
26.7 (80.0) |
33.9 (93.0) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 23.4 (74.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
23.5 (74.3) |
24.4 (75.9) |
26.5 (79.7) |
29.1 (84.4) |
30.7 (87.3) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.6 (87.1) |
28.9 (84.0) |
26.3 (79.3) |
24.5 (76.1) |
31.3 (88.3) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.7 (69.3) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.5 (68.9) |
22.1 (71.8) |
24.3 (75.7) |
27.2 (81.0) |
29.6 (85.3) |
30.1 (86.2) |
29.1 (84.4) |
26.7 (80.1) |
23.8 (74.8) |
21.8 (71.2) |
24.7 (76.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.3 (64.9) |
17.9 (64.2) |
18.1 (64.6) |
19.7 (67.5) |
22.0 (71.6) |
25.0 (77.0) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.7 (81.9) |
26.7 (80.1) |
24.4 (75.9) |
21.6 (70.9) |
19.6 (67.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15.9 (60.6) |
15.4 (59.7) |
15.6 (60.1) |
17.3 (63.1) |
19.8 (67.6) |
22.7 (72.9) |
24.9 (76.8) |
25.2 (77.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
22.2 (72.0) |
19.3 (66.7) |
17.3 (63.1) |
20.0 (68.0) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | 11.5 (52.7) |
11.6 (52.9) |
11.4 (52.5) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.3 (61.3) |
19.4 (66.9) |
21.7 (71.1) |
22.5 (72.5) |
21.4 (70.5) |
19.0 (66.2) |
15.9 (60.6) |
13.6 (56.5) |
10.2 (50.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | 7.2 (45.0) |
6.3 (43.3) |
7.2 (45.0) |
8.9 (48.0) |
12.1 (53.8) |
15.2 (59.4) |
16.1 (61.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
14.4 (58.0) |
12.4 (54.3) |
9.1 (48.4) |
6.3 (43.3) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 127.6 (5.02) |
123.6 (4.87) |
118.9 (4.68) |
86.8 (3.42) |
94.6 (3.72) |
110.2 (4.34) |
116.2 (4.57) |
165.2 (6.50) |
145.2 (5.72) |
149.1 (5.87) |
111.6 (4.39) |
104.8 (4.13) |
1,453.8 (57.23) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 13.8 | 12.6 | 12.2 | 8.9 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 10.7 | 13.2 | 11.6 | 12.1 | 11.8 | 11.7 | 136.3 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
73 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 79 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 74 | 72 | 72 | 76 |
Average dew point °C (°F) | 13.4 (56.1) |
13.3 (55.9) |
12.9 (55.2) |
15.2 (59.4) |
17.7 (63.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.2 (72.0) |
19.8 (67.6) |
16.6 (61.9) |
14.6 (58.3) |
17.7 (63.9) |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 143.2 | 147.6 | 189.7 | 231.9 | 255.9 | 255.6 | 284.6 | 272.7 | 221.8 | 198.3 | 168.0 | 146.6 | 2,515.9 |
Source: Bermuda Weather Service (mean max and min 2006-2023, humidity 1995-2010, dew point 2002-2018, sun 1999-2019)[4][5][6][7][8] |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19.2 °C (66.6 °F) | 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) | 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) | 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) | 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) | 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) | 27.7 °C (81.9 °F) | 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) | 27.4 °C (81.3 °F) | 24.9 °C (76.8 °F) | 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) | 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) |
Human geography
The early colony
When settled, in the 17th century, first by the
Nomenclature
Bermudian convention, where a
Among many examples of such place names in Bermuda are
The use of the possessive form is not exclusive, however, as exemplified by place names such as the names of most of the parishes (which - other than St. George's Parish - all commemorate historical people), such as
Statistics
- Maritime claims
-
- Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
- Land use
-
- Arable land: 14.8%
- Permanent crops: 0%
- Other: 85.2% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2012)
- Natural hazards
- Hurricanes (June to November)
- Environment - current issues
- sustainable development
See also
- Bermuda § Parishes and municipalities
- List of islands of Bermuda
- Wildlife of Bermuda
- Bermuda Pedestal
- Tornadoes in Bermuda
- List of Bermuda hurricanes
Notes
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 2006 to 2023.
References
- ^ "Weather & Climate". ForeverBermuda. Bernews Network. 2014-04-01. Archived from the original on 2021-06-12. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Bermuda Weather".
- ^ "BWS Glossary".
- ^ "Bermuda Principal Normals 1991–2020". Bermuda Weather Service. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "1981-2010 Monthly Stats". Bermuda Weather Service. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "2002-2018 Dew Point Statistics". Bermuda Weather Service. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "1949-1999 Climate Summary". Bermuda Weather Service. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Climate Report - Annual Data". Bermuda Weather Service. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Monthly Sea Temperature Averages for St. George's Harbour, Bermuda (1985-2000 Data)". Archived from the original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ Bermuda Police Service: History. The Early Years: The Death Of Anna Skeeters
- ^ "The Bermudian magazine: The Skeeters Murder. By Sandra Campbell. 15 March, 2013". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ Geographic.org. Photius Coutsoukis and Information Technology Associates
- ^ "St. George's Foundation website". Archived from the original on 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook.
Further reading
- J. Wreford Watson, J. Oliver, C. H. Foggo, A Geography of Bermuda (Collins, London, 1965)
External links
- Bermuda Weather Service: Weather Forecast Online
- Bermuda Harbour Radio[permanent dead link] Live webcam at Fort George, overlooking St. George's Harbour
- Quaternary Stratigraphy of Bermuda: A High-Resolution Pre-Sangamonian Rock Record (Pdf)
- Atlantic Ocean Volcanism, OIBs, Tholeiites and Basanites
- Amity Region: Germuda Geology
- JSTOR: Quaternary Vegetation Change and Dune Formation on Bermuda: A Discussion
- Dalhousie University. Ph. D. Thesis, Emmanuelle Javaux: Benthic Foraminifera from the Modern Sediments of Bermuda: Implications for Holocene Sea-Level Studies
- "Islands of Bermuda (United Kingdom)". United Nations System-wide Earthwatch. Archived from the original on 2006-08-24. Retrieved 2006-05-25.
- Bermuda Geography Archived 2004-10-14 at the Wayback Machine from Bermuda-Island.net, with antique maps
- Bermuda4u.com - Interactive Map of Bermuda and all its parishes.
- Birds of Bermuda