The temperate deciduous forest occupies much of the middle of the Whittaker diagram, and to those of us who live here, it sure feels that way. Rapid changes from cold and dry to wet and warm or to any of the other corners of the climate envelope are often swift and dramatic. A favorite saying among the natives is "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute". Of course, we are talking about climate here, not weather, but the principle remains. Over the course of the year the climate will range from cold with precipitation in the form of snow, to hot, with precipitation in the form of rain. Precipitation may vary with the seasons as well, with some seasons being wetter than others.