Lawrence, Kansas, and Nashville, Tennessee occupy similiar latitudes. Why is one found in grassland and the?

Question

other in a forest biome?

Answer 1

Because in one location there is forest, while at the other there is grassland.  If you look at about 45 deg W Lon., you'll find there's an ocean.  Why do you suppose there's an ocean at the same latitude as Nashville or Lawrence?

Surprisingly enough, both questions' answers deal with the westernmost coast of what is essentially the same body of water.  The ocean isn't there because it hits a land mass.  The westernmost extent of the Gulf of Mexico marks the westernmost extent of all that wonderful moisture coming off said Gulf- physically decreasing the amount of rain possible in Lawrence (as opposed to Nashville).

Answer 2

Lawrence has much less rainfall than Nashville.

Nashville receives about 50" of rain per year.

Lawrence receives less than 40"