Koppen climatic classification

Koppen climatic classification

1. Koppen climatic classification By Moniza Javaid

2. Introduction Climate is an average weather conditions at a specific place over a long period of time (30-35) years and more, including absolute extremes of temperature, precipitation etc. Factors such as latitude, altitude, prevailing winds, ocean currents, maritime and continental situations exercise direct influence in determining the climate. The classification of climates of the world is done in order to understand how the different climatic elements from combination in different parts of the world. There are several ways in which the climates of the world can be classified, the lesson is devoted to discuss the Koppens classification of world climates which is most widely used.

3. Wladimir Koppen A German- Russian climatologist Wladimir Koppen (1846-1940) in 1884 with several later modifications by Koppen notably in 1918 and 1936. Later, the German climatologist Rudolf Gieger(1894-1981) introduced some changes to the classification system, which is thus called the Koppen-Gieger climate classification system. The Koppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems.

4. Climate classification The Koppen classification system is the most widely used system for classifying the worlds climates. Its categories are based on the annual and monthly averages of the temperature and precipitation. The Koppen system recognizes five major climatic types; each type is designated by a capital letter. The five main groups are A(tropical), B(arid), C(temperate), D(continental), and E(polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation subgroup. As Koppen designed the system based on his experience as a botanist, his main climate groups are based on what types of vegetation grow in a given climate classification region.

5. Group A: Tropical/megathermal climates Tropical climates are characterized by constant high temperature (at sea level and low elevations) – all twelve months of the year have average temperatures of 18℃ or higher. They are further subdivided as: Tropical rainforest climate (AF) All twelve months have average precipitation of at least 60mm. These climates usually occur within 5-10◦ latitude of the equator. This climate is dominated by the Doldrums low pressure system all year round, and therefore has no natural seasons. Examples: Singapore Belem, Brazil

6. Tropical Monsoon climate(Am) This type of climate results from the monsoon winds which change direction according to the seasons. This climate has a driest month with rainfall less than 60mm. Examples: Indonesia Kerala Maldives Australia Tropical savanna climate(Aw) AW represents Tropical wet and dry climate or we can say Savannah type of climate. Extended dry season can be SEEN IN THE WINTERS, whereas, in the wet season, precipitation occurs less than 1000mm and usually in the summers. Dry climates This type of climate is more dependent upon the nature of the precipitation rather than the temperature and here evaporation, as well as transpiration, exceeds the total precipitation.

7. BW is a dry arid climate and is considered the true desert climate which covers about 12% of the total land of the earth. BS represents the semi-arid type of climate which are grasslands regions and which covers almost 14% of the land of the earth. These regions receive more rainfall than the BW type of climatic regions. Moist Sub Tropical Mid-Latitude climate In simple words, we can say that these are warm temperate climate regions where warm and humid summer and mild winters can be seen . Convection thunderstorms can be seen in the summer time where as mid latitude cyclone can be seen in the winters . Moist continental mid latitude climates In thus type of climate, summers are usually warm but also can be cool where as winters are usually cold. This type of climate can be found towards the poles or at the sub-tropical mid-latitude climates.

8. Here winters are very cold along with strong winds as well as snow storms that come from the continental polar regions or the arctic air masses . Polar climate Here in these types of climatic regions, the temperature is too low. Even in the warmest months of the year as well, the temperature is less than 10◦c . It usually occurs in the coastal areas of the northern regions of Asia, North America, Europe. There are various merits and demerits for the Koppen climate classification. Merits The Koppen climate structure is quantitative in nature along with its divisions. This system is basically one that is quite easy to understand. One can measure the koppen climate classification system in easy manner as well. The koppen climate classification system coincides with the vegetation pattern that is found in any region.

9. The koppen climate classification system is very vast, so much that it actually covers all types of climate patterns as well as conditions that are found on earth. Demerits The concept is quite vast and has various classifications which might get difficult to memorize at times. The koppen climate classification system is majorly based on average values. The koppen climate classification system ignores various features. These includes the intensity of the precipitation, the number of rainy days, cloud coverage, variations in temperature or precipitation, and much more. In this system of koppen climate classification koppen also ignored the air masses and their significance in the climate formation that contribute a lot in climatology.

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