Comparing the climates of Prague and Palm desert is almost like comparing apples to oranges. On the one side on the globe (Prague) you have a very temperate climate with a vast diversity of vegetation and on the other, a very arid and dry desert climate that receives less than 5 inches of rainfall per year. Meso-Scale variables that affect Palm Desert include the presence of the San Jacinto Mountain Range to the immediate west which have an immense impact on the amount of precipitation that the area receives, or doesn't receive. The impact of orthographic lifting causes this region, along with its location geographically (33° 44′ 18″ North, 116° 21′ 50″ West) to be a very dry region of the United States along with it being located around the area of subtropical highs.
Geographic Locations of Each City
Photos courtesy of desertweather.com and stayamber.com
So if Prague and Palm Desert are both affected by orthographic lifting then why don't they share the same climate types? The biggest factor contributing to this difference is the distinct difference in each citys' geographical location. Palm Desert is located in an area that is highly dominated by continental tropical (cT) air masses that keep the land very hot, arid, and dry. Prague is affected by more continental polar (cP) and maritime polar (mP) air masses that make temperatures much cooler and humid than that of Palm Desert. Though substantial precipitation is not often seen in Prague, there is defiantly much more then in the desert.
Similarities in the two climates include the factor of continentality. Both locations are situated inland from water bodies which causes vast differences in annual and diurnal temperatures. Without any water bodies around to act as heat sinks by absorbing large amounts of solar radiation, both cities get much cooler at night and in the winter months. However, to the south of of Palm Desert lies a lake called Salton Sea which, though is not nearly as large as an ocean, may serve as a moderate temperature regulator for the area and might contain the average high under 100 degrees in the summer months.
Palm Desert's Location and Proximity to Salton Sea
Micro-scale variances in locals are somewhat similar in that humans have had a great impact on the climates experienced in the areas. While many would think that Palm Desert is in an area that is unsuitable for humans to live considering the many days of unbearable heat and lack of water and vegetation, this area is actually home to a decent sized population of about 50,000 people and about another 45,000 people 11 miles to the East in the popular city of Palm Springs. People moving into this area have had effect on the landscape by increasing water in the area through plumbing and sprinkler systems used to water non-nativel vegetation brought to the area for lawns, planters, trees, etc., which puts moisture into the atmosphere through evaporation. In Prague, temperatures in the city have increased due to the urban heat island effect and the city's history as having a moderately large industrial sector.
This is a great ariel photo of non-native vegitation in thhe desert.
Palm Desert Average Monthly Temps. VS Prague Average Monthly Temps.
(Source weather.com)
Palm Desert Average Yearly Rainfall Prague Average Yearly Rainfall
(Source weather.com)
Koppen-Geiger Classification Comparisons
(Locations marked with Red dots)
As you can see in the comparison above (though it may be hard to tell for Palm Desert), Prague is classified as a Cfb climate which represents a warm-temperate climate that is fully humid with warm summers. Palm Desert on the other hand is classified as being a Bwh climate which represents a dry climate that is a desert in terms of precipitation and is very hot in the summers and temperatures always average above the freezing point.
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