microclimate

noun

mi·​cro·​cli·​mate ˈmī-krō-ˌklī-mət 

: the essentially uniform local climate of a usually small site or habitat

microclimatic

ˌmī-krō-klī-ˈma-tik 

adjective

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The microclimate of an industrial park may be quite different from that of a nearby wooded park, since the plants absorb light and heat while asphalt parking lots and rooftops radiate them back into the air. A microclimate can offer a small growing area for crops that wouldn't do well in the wider region, so skilled gardeners take advantage of microclimates by carefully choosing and positioning their plants. San Francisco's hills, oceanfront, and bay shore, along with its alternating areas of concrete and greenery, make it a city of microclimates.

Examples of microclimate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Goychay region, with its unique microclimate and mineral-rich soil, has become globally synonymous with Azerbaijani premium pomegranates. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Her company’s signature ski safaris cost upwards of $1,500 per person per day (including accommodations) and over the course of a week typically combine three to four regions in Switzerland, France, and Italy to provide a range of microclimates, maximizing the chances of scoring great powder. —Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025

This expansive region has a variety of microclimates and landscapes, resulting in a diverse array of whiskies. —Emily Price, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Go rock climbing in the Sky Islands Courtesy of Visit Tucson Tucson’s Sky Islands are isolated mountain ranges that rise abruptly from the desert, creating a microclimate where lush forests and rock formations provide renowned climbing opportunities. —Visit Tucson, AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for microclimate

• climate
• sublimate