Compare: Los Angeles (LA) and Shanghai have similar geographic descriptors and at times have similar weather and climate characteristics. Both locals are low latitude, LA is approximately 34 degrees N and Shanghai is around 31 degrees N. The latitude affects the sub solar point and ultimately seasonality and hours of daily sunlight. The two cities are separated by over 7,000 miles of broad ocean and are both highly influenced by temperature moderating oceanic currents. Cool sea air moving inland helps moderate and keep both cities cooler than expected ( for a lower latitude city) in the summer. The urban footprint and large populations (Shanghai 20Mil / LA 10 Mil) have an impact on the natural balance. Both cities are urban heat islands and expel excessive smog in to the atmosphere.
Contrast: Shanghai has much colder winters than Los Angeles. The main reason is the impact of seasonal pressure differences in China. In the winter months the high pressure over the continental land mass allows arctic air masses from the north to move toward the South China Sea. The generally flat topography to the North of Shanghai allows the cold air to readily move in to the coastal area. The mountains are not as defined as they are west of LA and serve to funnel cold air into the city. In Los Angles on the other hand, significant topography isolates the city from cold arctic air and in the winter time. LA is mostly subjected to the more moderate Santa Ana winds from the deserts to the west.
Hurricanes and Typhoons:
LA is located on the western cost of the United States is generally protected from tropical storms and hurricanes. Storms that develop off the coast of LA usually dissipate or turn in to high precipitation events in the Pacific Northwest. Shanghai on the the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean has a very active tropic storm season from June- December. Tropical storms and typhoon formation in China is caused by warm ocean currents to the south and east of Shanghai and track in to the South China Sea. The formation of typhoons and storm surge have histrically cost Shanghai billions of dollars and killed thousands of people.
Hurricanes and Typhoons:
LA is located on the western cost of the United States is generally protected from tropical storms and hurricanes. Storms that develop off the coast of LA usually dissipate or turn in to high precipitation events in the Pacific Northwest. Shanghai on the the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean has a very active tropic storm season from June- December. Tropical storms and typhoon formation in China is caused by warm ocean currents to the south and east of Shanghai and track in to the South China Sea. The formation of typhoons and storm surge have histrically cost Shanghai billions of dollars and killed thousands of people.
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