A State of Three Climates
@New Hanover is a land of contrasts, defined by three distinct geographical regions laid out across its vast expanse. From the wide-open western plains to the dense northern forests and the far eastern mountain ridges, the state presents a new landscape with every day of travel. While the state experiences four full seasons, how a traveler experiences them depends entirely on which of these great regions they find themselves in.
Spring: March, April, May
Summer: June, July, August
Autumn: September, October, November
Winter: December, January, February
The Regional Climates of New Hanover
The The Heartlands
: The Open Prairie
Overview: A vast expanse of open grassland with a classic continental climate. Here, there is little shelter from the elements, and the weather is often extreme and dramatic.
Seasonal Breakdown:
Spring: A volatile season of rebirth. Temperatures swing wildly (45-70°F) as the prairie grasses turn a vibrant green.
Summer: Defined by scorching, sun-baked days (80-95°F) and a sky that seems to go on forever. The heat is often dry and intense.
Autumn: The "golden season." The weather becomes cool, crisp, and stable (50-75°F), with clear skies and a gentle breeze.
Winter: Harsh and windswept. While temperatures are cold (15-40°F), the biting wind is the greatest challenge. Snowfall is frequent but often blows into deep drifts.
Regional Specifics:
Weather Events & Disasters: The primary storm season is April through June, bringing a high risk of violent thunderstorms that can produce large hail and dangerous lightning. The open plains are notorious for tornadoes during this period, capable of destroying homesteads with little warning. In winter, severe blizzards can sweep across the prairie, causing whiteout conditions.
Agriculture & Planting: The fertile soil allows for a short but productive planting season. Farmers typically plant hardy grains like wheat and corn in late April or early May, with the harvest occurring in late August before the first frost. However, the region is dominated by cattle ranching, which is a year-round enterprise.
Holidays & Social Events:
Independence Day (July 4th): The town of Valentine hosts the state's most boisterous celebration, featuring horse races, shooting competitions, and a massive bonfire that can be seen for miles.
The Heartland State Fair (Late August): The largest event of the New Hanover calendar. Held for a full week on the fields just outside Valentine, it draws ranchers and farmers from all corners to compete in rodeos, showcase prize-winning livestock, and celebrate the coming harvest.
@Cumberland Forest: The Sheltered Woods
Overview: Situated in the north-central part of the state, east of Valentine but well west of the mountains, this large, temperate forest acts as a buffer against the extremes of the plains. The climate here is more moderate, sheltered, and consistently damp.
Seasonal Breakdown:
Spring: The thaw comes more slowly here than on the plains (40-65°F). The forest floor becomes a carpet of wildflowers amidst the mud.
Summer: The dense canopy provides a welcome shield from the intense sun, keeping the forest floor warm and humid (75-90°F).
Autumn: The forest becomes a spectacle of color as the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold. The air is cool and still (45-70°F).
Winter: Cold and quiet. Snowfall is often heavier than on the plains and accumulates deep under the trees, creating a silent, muffled landscape. Temperatures range from 20-45°F.
Regional Specifics:
Weather Events & Disasters: While sheltered from tornadoes, the forest is susceptible to powerful windstorms that can topple ancient trees, blocking roads and destroying cabins. In dry summer months, the risk of forest fire is a constant threat. Sudden winter snowstorms can also be treacherous, making it easy for trappers or travelers to become lost.
Agriculture & Planting: The dense tree cover and rocky soil make large-scale farming impractical. Life here revolves around hunting, trapping, and foraging. Homesteaders maintain small, private gardens for root vegetables and hardy greens, planted in May.
Holidays & Social Events:
First Snow Feast (Date Varies): An informal but important tradition among the homesteaders and trappers. The first significant snowfall of the season is celebrated with a large community feast, sharing preserved foods and game to mark the true beginning of the long winter. Social events are generally small and centered around isolated communities.
@Roanoke Ridge: The Foggy Hills
Overview: Making up the far eastern border of New Hanover, this is a region of rolling hills and deep valleys, heavily influenced by the damp air from the Lannahechee River. Its climate is defined by a persistent, eerie fog and a constant sense of dampness.
Seasonal Breakdown:
Spring: A wet, muddy season (40-65°F). The fog is at its thickest, and a steady drizzle can last for days.
Summer: While warm (70-85°F), the air is often clammy and heavy with humidity. The sun is frequently obscured by low-hanging clouds.
Autumn: A melancholic and atmospheric season. The brilliant fall foliage is often shrouded in mist. Temperatures are cool (45-65°F).
Winter: Bleak and chilly (25-45°F). The dampness makes the cold feel more penetrating. The region is prone to freezing rain and wet, heavy snow.
Regional Specifics:
Weather Events & Disasters: The most common dangers are related to the wet terrain. Spring rains often lead to flash floods in the narrow valleys and dangerous mudslides on the steep hillsides. The thick, disorienting fog is a year-round hazard, known to cause travelers to become hopelessly lost.
Agriculture & Planting: The soil is poor and rocky, making it unsuitable for most cash crops. Subsistence farming of potatoes and hardy greens in small, protected plots is the norm. The region is better known for pig farming and, more notoriously, the illegal distilling of moonshine, for which the hidden valleys and abundant water are ideal.
Holidays & Social Events:
The Annesburg Miner's Memorial (October 5th): A solemn local holiday observed in the mining town of Annesburg. Work ceases for the day as the community gathers to honor those who have been lost in the coal mines over the years.
Harvest Home (Late September): The isolated communities in the hills observe older, more superstitious traditions. This harvest festival involves large bonfires and folk rituals meant to ward off the dark spirits of the coming winter.
Notable Settlements of New Hanover
The Heartlands
Valentine
: A boisterous and muddy livestock auction town, known for its saloons, stockyards, and rough-and-tumble reputation.
Emerald Ranch
: A large, prosperous, and strictly-run ranch that dominates the central plains, known for its fine horses and produce.
Flatneck Station
: A crucial railway stop and trading post situated on the banks of the Dakota River.
Homesteads: Various smaller ranches and farms, such as Carmody Dell and Guthrie Farm, dot the landscape.
Cumberland Forest
Fort Wallace
: A U.S. Army fort established to maintain order and project federal authority in the region.
Bacchus Station
: A small, isolated railway station located precariously on the edge of the Bacchus Bridge.
Roanoke Ridge
Annesburg
: A bleak and perpetually grimy coal mining town, entirely dependent on the Jameson Mining and Coal Company.
Van Horn Trading Post: A notoriously lawless and derelict port town on the Lannahechee River, frequented by sailors, trappers, and criminals.
Butcher Creek
: A small, isolated, and highly superstitious hamlet deep in the hills, plagued by poverty and strange afflictions.