The Köppen climate code for a subpolar oceanic climate is Cfc. This describes a temperate ocean-influenced climate with no pronounced dry season and only a short, cool summer.
The first letter, C, places the climate in the temperate group: its coldest month remains relatively mild, while at least one month rises above 10°C. The second letter, f, means precipitation is sufficiently distributed throughout the year rather than concentrated into a distinct dry season. The final c indicates that just one to three months average at least 10°C.
Subpolar oceanic climates occur near polar regions but are moderated by nearby seas. Coastal Iceland, the Faroe Islands, parts of northern Norway, the Aleutian Islands, and portions of southern Chile and Argentina are examples. Winters can be long, but they are generally milder than those in comparable continental or subarctic interiors.
Cfc is often confused with Dfc, the code for a subarctic climate with a cool summer. The key difference is the winter temperature: oceanic moderation keeps Cfc winters relatively mild, while Dfc has a colder continental winter regime.