Climate Classification and Climatic Regions of the World

Introduction to Climate Classification

• The Köppen Climate Classification System is widely used for classifying the world's climates.
• It categorizes climates based on annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation.
• Recognizes five major climatic types, each designated by a capital letter:
  • A: Tropical Moist Climates
  • B: Dry Climates
  • C: Moist Mid-latitude Climates with Mild Winters
  • D: Moist Mid-Latitude Climates with Cold Winters
  • E: Polar Climates

Tropical Moist Climates (A)

• Extends from the equator to about 15-25° latitude.
• All months have average temperatures above 18°C.
• Annual precipitation > 1500 mm.
• Types:
  • Af: Tropical wet, precipitation all year.
  • Am: Tropical monsoon, most precipitation in the hottest months.
  • Aw: Tropical wet and dry (savanna), dry season in winter.

Dry Climates (B)

• Potential evaporation exceeds precipitation.
• Types:
  • BW: Dry arid (desert), 12% of Earth's land.
  • BS: Dry semiarid (steppe), 14% of Earth's land.

Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climates (C)

• Warm, humid summers, mild winters.
• Types:
  • Cfa: Humid subtropical
  • Cs: Mediterranean
  • Cfb: Marine

Moist Continental Mid-latitude Climates (D)

• Warm to cool summers, cold winters.
• Types:
  • Dw: Dry winters
  • Ds: Dry summers
  • Df: Wet all seasons

Polar Climates (E)

• Year-round cold temperatures.
• Types:
  • ET: Polar tundra, permafrost, mosses, lichens.
  • EF: Polar ice caps, snow and ice covered.

Factors Influencing Climatic Regions

• Latitude and solar radiation.
• Air mass influences.
• Global high and low pressure zones.
• Ocean currents and heat exchange.
• Mountain barriers.
• Prevailing wind patterns.
• Land and sea distribution.
• Altitude.

Climatic Region Descriptions

• Tropical Wet: Consistent temperatures, high precipitation.
• Tropical Wet and Dry: Distinct wet/dry seasons.
• Subtropical Desert and Steppe: Low precipitation, high temperature ranges.
• Mid-Latitude Desert and Steppe: Dry due to continentality.
• Mid-Latitude Wet: Even distribution of precipitation, thunderstorms in summer.
• Mid-Latitude Winter-Dry: Strong seasonal patterns.
• Mid-Latitude Summer-Dry: Mediterranean climate, dry summers.
• Polar Tundra: Cold, summer rainfall.
• Polar Ice Cap: Cold, high winds, blizzard conditions.

Notes

• Climate is affected by the movement of global circulation patterns and seasonal changes.
• Animation guides understanding of major climatic processes.