Pittsburgh lies in the transition between a humid
continental and humid subtropical climate, although it lies much closer to the
former. The city and urban river valley locations lie in the USDA plant
hardiness zone 6b and distant suburban and higher elevated areas lie in zone
6a. It features four distinct seasons, with precipitation somewhat evenly
spread throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid (with occasional heat
waves), while winters are cold and snowy. Spring and autumn are generally
unstable yet mild.
The warmest month of the year in Pittsburgh is July,
