Geography · Ch 17 — World Climate and Climate Change
Koeppen's Scheme of Classification of Climate
Koeppen's Scheme of Classification of Climate
| Group | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| A - Tropical | Average temperature of the coldest month is 18°C or higher |
| B - Dry Climates | Potential evaporation exceeds precipitation |
| C - Warm Temperate | The average temperature of the coldest month of the (Mid-latitude) climates years is higher than minus 3°C but below 18°C |
| Group | Type | Letter Code | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Tropical Humid Climate | Tropical wet | Af | No dry season |
| A-Tropical Humid Climate | Tropical monsoon | Am | Monsoonal, short dry season |
| A-Tropical Humid Climate | Tropical wet and dry | Aw | Winter dry season |
| B-Dry Climate | Subtropical steppe | BSh | Low-latitude semi arid or dry |
| B-Dry Climate | Subtropical desert | BWh | Low-latitude arid or dry |
| B-Dry Climate | Mid-latitude steppe | BSk | Mid-latitude semi arid or dry |
| B-Dry Climate | Mid-latitude desert | BWk | Mid-latitude arid or dry |
| C-Warm temperate (Mid-latitude) Climates | Humid subtropical | Cfa | No dry season, warm summer |
| C-Warm temperate (Mid-latitude) Climates | Mediterranean | Cs | Dry hot summer |
| C-Warm temperate (Mid-latitude) Climates | Marine west coast | Cfb | No dry season, warm and cool summer |
| D-Cold Snow-forest Climates | Humid continental | Df | No dry season, severe winter |
Koeppen identified a close relationship between the distribution of vegetation and climate, and used this link to build his classification. He selected specific values of temperature and precipitation, along with their seasonal distribution, as the criteria for dividing the world into five major climatic groups. Each group is denoted by a capital letter, and further subdivisions are marked by additional letters that specify the seasonal characteristics of temperature and moisture. This …
The world climate can be studied by organising information and data on climate and synthesising them in smaller units for easy understanding, description and analysis. Three broad approaches have been adopted for classifying climate -- empirical, genetic and applied. Empirical classification is based on observed data, particularly on temperature and precipitation. Genetic classification attempts to organise climates according to their causes. Applied classification is for specific purpose.
The most widely used classification of climate is the empirical climate classification scheme developed by V. Koeppen. Koeppen identified a close relationship between the distribution of vegetation and climate. He selected certain values of temperature and precipitation and related them to the distribution of vegetation and used these values for classifying the climates. It is an empirical classification based on mean annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data. He introduced the use of capital and small letters to designate climatic groups and types. Although developed in 1918 and modified over a period of time, Koeppen's scheme is still popular and in use.
Koeppen recognised five major climatic groups, four of them based on temperature and one on precipitation (Table 11.1). The capital letters A, C, D and E delineate humid climates and B dry climates. …