Newport soils have C horizons of dense glacial till. Riverhead soils have a lithologic discontinuity in the upper 40 inches. Elevations range from 1,400 to 5,000 feet. Where correlated in the New Jersey Highlands, the elevation ranges to as low as 400 feet. Slopes range from 2 to 95 percent.
Climate is temperate and humid.
Mean annual temperature is 56 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation about 65 inches near the type location. In addition to the competing Ashe , Buladean , and Chestnut series, these are the Brevard , Brownwood , Cashiers , Chandler , Cleveland , Cowee , Cullasaja , Edneytown , Evard , Fannin , Greenlee , Haywood , Huntdale , Micaville , Peaks , Pigeonroost , Plott , Porters , Saluda , Saunook , Tate , Thunder , Trimont , Tuckasegee , Tusquitee , Unaka , and Watauga soils. Brevard, Cowee, Edneytown, Evard, Pigeonroost, Saluda, Saunook, Tate, Trimont, and Watauga soils have an argillic horizon. Brownwood, Cashiers, Chandler, Fannin, Micaville, and Watauga soils are in a micaceous or paramicaceous family. Cleveland and Saluda soils have bedrock within a depth of 20 inches.