Koppen's climate classification system categorizes climates into five primary groups - A, B, C, D, and E - based on annual and monthly temperature and precipitation averages. The document provides detailed descriptions of the characteristics and locations of tropical climates (A), arid and semi-arid climates (B), and mild mid-latitude climates (C). Secondary and tertiary letters are used to further differentiate climate types based on factors like seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. Climate classification helps correlate spatial distributions of climate and vegetation.
Koppen's climate classification system categorizes climates into five primary groups - A, B, C, D, and E - based on annual and monthly temperature and precipitation averages. The document provides detailed descriptions of the characteristics and locations of tropical climates (A), arid and semi-arid climates (B), and mild mid-latitude climates (C). Secondary and tertiary letters are used to further differentiate climate types based on factors like seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. Climate classification helps correlate spatial distributions of climate and vegetation.
Koppen's climate classification system categorizes climates into five primary groups - A, B, C, D, and E - based on annual and monthly temperature and precipitation averages. The document provides detailed descriptions of the characteristics and locations of tropical climates (A), arid and semi-arid climates (B), and mild mid-latitude climates (C). Secondary and tertiary letters are used to further differentiate climate types based on factors like seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. Climate classification helps correlate spatial distributions of climate and vegetation.
Koppen's climate classification system categorizes climates into five primary groups - A, B, C, D, and E - based on annual and monthly temperature and precipitation averages. The document provides detailed descriptions of the characteristics and locations of tropical climates (A), arid and semi-arid climates (B), and mild mid-latitude climates (C). Secondary and tertiary letters are used to further differentiate climate types based on factors like seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. Climate classification helps correlate spatial distributions of climate and vegetation.
Climate Climate is weather averaged over time over broader geographic areas. Usually averaged over 30-yr periods. Climatology is the study of climate over both time and space. The average state of atmosphere
Climate Classification
Climate Classification
Koppens Classification Koppen climate classification Developed 1918 Developed to correlate the spatial distribution of plants to the spatial distribution of climate
Climatic Relationships
Modified Kppen System
Five major climate groups Groups A, B, C, D, E and H 14 individual climate types
Special category of highland (H) climate
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Kppens Climate Classifications
Primary Letters
Tropical Climates (A) Megatherms
Average temp of every month > 18C
Dry Arid and Semiarid Climates (B)
Xerophytes Evaporation > precipitation
Mesothermal Climates (C) Mesotherms
Kppens Climate Classifications
Primary Letters
Microthermal Climates (D) Microtherms
Average temperature of warmest month >10C Average temperature of coldest month < -3C
Polar Climates (E) Hekistotherms
Average temperature of all months < 10C
Highland (H)
Coldest month average temperature < 18C but >-3C
At least 1 month average temperature > 10C
Kppens Climate Classifications
Secondary Letters These letters are based primarily on seasonal precipitation: f = adequate rainfall all through the year, no distinct dry season w = winter dry (keep in mind the hemisphere), if 70% or more of annual rainfall occurs in summer s = summer dry, if 70% or more of annual rainfall occurs in winter m = extremely wet summer = monsoon. A climate only.
Kppens Climate Classifications
Tertiary Letters The third letters in the system are based exclusively on seasonal and annual temperature: a = hot summer, warmest month > 22C; C and D only b = warm summer, warmest month < 22C; C and D only c = cool summer, < 4 months over 10C; C and D only d = very cold winter, coldest month < -38C; D only h = dry-hot, annual temperature > 18C; B only k = dry-cold, annual temperature < 18C; B only
Kppens Climate Classifications
Secondary Letters For B climate only: S = semiarid = steppe W = arid = desert which results in either BS or BW.
For E climate only:
T = tundra F = perpetual frost = permanent ice which results in either ET or EF.
Kppens Climate Classifications
Examples of Combinations Af = Tropical Rainforest climate type Am = Tropical Monsoon climate type BWh = Low-Latitude Hot Desert climate type Cfa = Humid Subtropical climate type Csa = Mediterranean climate type Dfb = Humid Continental climate type ET = Tundra climate type
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Generalized Climate Regions
World Climate Classification
Climographs
Tropical Climate (A)
Temperature (curve)
Precipitation (bars)
Tropical Climates (A)
Tropical Rain Forest Climates (Af) Tropical Monsoon Climates (Am) Tropical Savanna Climates (Aw) Consistent day length and insolation input
Tropical Humid Climates (Group A)
Distribution of A Climates
Within 025 of equator
= consistent warm temperatures
Dominance by ITCZ Shifts seasonally with high sun period
Warm ocean currents, unstable maritime air
masses
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Tropical Rain Forest and Monsoon
Tropical Rain Forest (Af)
Tropical Rain Forest Climates (Af)
No true winter
Winter in tropics refers to the low-sun half of the year
Tropical Wet Climate (Af)
Summer refers to the high-sun half of the year
High temperatures prevail every month
Main locations
A climates are distinguished by the monthly pattern of rainfall
f = year-around rainfall m = year-round rainfall, but with a brief drier period w = wet summer and dry winter
Within 510 of equator
Amazon basin Northern Congo basin Islands of East Indies
Characteristics Monotonous (seasonless) Night is the season of the tropics High humidity Afternoon convective thundershowers High annual rainfall, evenly distributed during year
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Dominant Controls
Climographs
ITCZ influence entire year
summer NH winter wet season season dry
cT
cT
winter SH summer dry season Wet season Convective precipitation
0 Af Animated Drawing (toggle forward-back-forward)
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Tropical Monsoon (Am)
Af Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Monsoon Climate (Am)
Tropical Monsoon Climates (Am)
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Tropical Savanna (Aw)
Am Tropical Monsoon
Tropical Savanna Climates (Aw)
Aw Tropical Savanna
Arid and Semiarid Climates (B)
Arid and Semiarid Climates
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Arid and Semiarid Climates (B)
Kppen system: W = Desert (arid), S = Steppe (semiarid) h = hot (mean annual temp > 18C) usually found in lower latitudes k = cold/cool (mean annual temp < 18C) usually found in the mid-latitudes
Potential for evaporation exceeds rainfall (called moisture deficiency) Cover 35% of Earths surface Most extensive geographically of the major climate groups One-third of U.S. is classified as arid/semiarid Plants are sparse but specifically adapted: Xerophytes: adapted to aridity, drought resistant, able to store moisture
Arid and Semiarid Climates (B)
Climatic controls: STHP: dry subsiding air over land masses Shifting STHP: produces semiarid conditions around periphery of arid areas Rain shadows: leeward sides of mountain ranges that intercept rainfall on windward side Continentality: interiors of continents far from moderating effects of water bodies
Dry Climates (Group B)
Distinctive Features of B climates Cover 34% of the total land area of the world
More area than any other climate group
Dry conditions prevail all year
Potential evapotranspiration is greater than precipitation
Two main sub-types based on precipitation
BW is extremely arid (desert)
BS is steppe (semi-arid)
The two sub-types are further subdivided based on
temperature Distribution of B Climates
Subtropical Dry Climates within 2035 of latitude
Midlatitude Dry Climates within 35-55 of latitude
h is for the hot subtropical desert (BWh, BSh)
k is for the cold midlatitude desert (BWk, BSk)
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Characteristics
Main locations Subtropical Desert (BWh) Centered at latitudes 2530 Western sides of continents, including coasts Extend into continental interiors
Northern Hemisphere
Precipitation: extremely arid
Scarce (most nearly rainless regions on Earth)
Unreliable (extremely long periods without rain)
Very hot summers
Enormous daily temperature range Coastal fog
Sonora-Colorado Sahara Arabian
Southern Hemisphere Peru-Atacama Kalahari-Namib Great Australian 43
Dominant Controls
Subsidence from subtropical highs (STHs)
Cold ocean currents
Equatorward extensions
Climographs
Subtropical Steppe (BSh)
Main locations Fringing BWh except on west coasts
Characteristics Similar to BWh but more moderate Precipitation: semiarid
Dominant Controls Similar to BWh
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Low-latitude hot steppe (BSh)
Climographs
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Midlatitude Desert (BWk)
Midlatitude Cold Desert Climate (BWk)
Main locations
Central Asia Western interior of United States Patagonia
Characteristics
Climographs
Precipitation meager
Erratic, mostly showery
Some winter snow
Temperatures
Hot summers, cold winters
Very large annual temperature range Large daily temperature range
Dominant Controls Rain shadow effects Distance from sources of moisture
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Midlatitude Steppe (BSk)
Main locations
Fringing BWk
Characteristics
Midlatitude cold steppe (BSk)
Similar to BWk (more
moderate) Precipitation: semiarid
Dominant Controls
Similar to BWk
BSk Midlatitude cold steppe
Climographs Photo: U.S. Great Plains, South Dakota
Mild Midlatitude Climates (Group C)
Distinctive Features of C climates
Temperatures
Long summers, usually hot
Short winters, relatively mild
Precipitation
No year-round moisture deficiency
Some climates have seasonal shortages
Three subtypes Distribution of C Climates
Mediterranean (Csa, Csb)
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Marine west coast (Cfb, Cfc)
Equatorward margin of the middle latitudes
Within 25-40 of latitude with some poleward extensions
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Characteristics
Mediterranean Climates (Csa, Csb)
Mild, wet winters, dry summers
Two sub-types based on summer temperatures
Main locations
Western side of continents
a hot summer (interior location)
b cool/mild summer (coastal location)
3040 of latitude
Mediterranean coast California Central Chile Southern tip of Africa (Cape Town) Australia (Perth & Adelaide)
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Climographs
Precipitation
Moderate annually Winter maximum (midlatitude cyclonic storms)
Dominant Controls STH subsidence in summer (forces cyclonic storms poleward) Westerly winds and cyclonic storms shift equatorward in winter
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Humid Subtropical (Cfa, Cwa)
Characteristics Main locations
Temperatures
Eastern sides of continents
2530 of latitude
Summers, warm to hot
Winters, mild to cold
Precipitation
Southeastern United States
Eastern China Southern Brazil and Uruguay Small areas in Africa and Australia
Abundant, mostly as rain
Summer maximum
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Climographs
Marine West Coast (Cfb Cfb)
Main locations Western sides of continents, mainly
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Western and central Europe
Largest area
North America
Oregon to Alaska
New Zealand and eastern Australia
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Characteristics Temperature
Climographs
Very mild winters for latitude
Precipitation
Moderate to abundant, mostly in winter
Many rainy days Much cloudiness
Dominant Controls Westerly flow and oceanic influence year-round
Severe Midlatitude Climates (Group D)
Distinctive Features of D climates
Temperatures
Large annual temperature range
Cold winter, relatively short summer
Continentality
Precipitation
Summer maxima Abundant to meager amounts Diminishes toward inland and poleward
Two Main Subtypes
Humid Continental Subarctic
Distribution of D Climates
Only in Northern Hemisphere
Within 3570 of latitude
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Humid Continental (Dfa, Dfb, Dwa, Dwb)
Characteristics
Location
Temperature
N. Hemisphere only 3555 of latitude Eastern sides of continents
Warm/hot summers Large annual temperature range
Precipitation
Moderate to abundant Summer maxima
Dominant Controls Westerly winds and storms
Climographs
Midlatitude cyclones in winter in North America
Monsoons in Asia
Sub Arctic (Dfc, Dfd, Dwc, Dwd)
Location
Northern Hemisphere only
Latitudes 5070 Across North American and Eurasia
Characteristics
Temperature
Long, dark, very cold winters
Brief, mild summers Enormous annual temperature range
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Climographs
Precipitation
Meager Summer maxima Light snow in winter, little melting
Dominant Controls
Pronounced continentality Alternating
Westerlies and cyclonic storms
Prominent anticylcones
Fig. 8-35
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Distinctive Characteristics
Polar Climates (Group E)
Temperatures
Coldest summers Lowest annual average Large annual temperature range Small daily temperature range
Extraordinarily dry
Low precipitating, mostly snow
Evaporation is nil
Two subtypes
Tundra Ice Cap
Distribution of E Climates
Poleward of 70 of latitude
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Characteristics
Tundra (ET)
Main Locations
Temperature
Fringes of Arctic Ocean
Small coastal areas in Antarctica
Long, cold dark winters
Brief, cool summers
Precipitation
Very sparse Mostly snow
Dominant Controls
Latitude Distance from sources of heat and moisture Extreme seasonal contrasts in sunlight/darkness Polar anticyclones (A and cP air masses)
Fig. 8-36 81
Climographs
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Ice Cape (EF)
Location
Antarctica Greenland
Characteristics
Temperature
Long, cold, dark
winters Cold, windy summers
Precipitation
Very sparse, all snow
Fig. 8-36 Fig. 8-37
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Dominant Controls
Climographs
Latitude Distances from sources of heat and moisture Extreme seasonal contrasts in sunlight/darkness Polar anticyclones (A and cP air masses)
Fig. 8-38
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Characteristics
Highland Climate (Group H)
Locations
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Complex local variation in small areas
Vertical climate zonation
High uplands (mountains and plateaus)
Fig. 8-42 Fig. 8-40
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Climographs
Changeability of weather
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Fig. 8-43
Dominant Controls Altitude Slope aspect and slope angle
Fig. 8-41
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Global Patterns Idealized
Idealized Global Pattern
General Models of the Climate Distribution
Idealized seasonal precipitation
patterns and climates along the west coasts of continents (Fig. 8-44).
Fig. 8-45
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Climatic Distribution in Africa: A Practically Perfect Example
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The modified Kppen system recognizes six major climatic zones:
