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

Did you know?

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

Pilots navigating the island also face heavy turbulence, low-lying sea fog, sudden microclimates and strong updrafts and downdrafts that can push a small aircraft off course. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

The geometry of the dome itself regulates ventilation and activates natural air circulation through the stack effect, complemented by floor-level air intake to prevent direct drafts and maintain a consistent microclimate. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

The lake creates a temperate microclimate that sustains one of the country’s most productive fruit-growing regions—and makes this the best possible place to forget a packed lunch. — Mike Norton, Midwest Living, 26 Sep. 2026

As the land dips and rises, these small travelers find their comfort zone in the microclimate and plant communities that suit them best. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for microclimate

• climate
• sublimate