Unit 14: Climate Classification and Regionalization

OBJECTIVES • Define climate and discuss the general problems of climate classification based on dynamic phenomena • Outline a useful climate classification scheme devised by Köppen, based on temperatures and precipitation amounts and timing. Understand climate types and their regional distribution. • Apply the modified Köppen classification system to Earth, and briefly describe appropriate climate regions as they appear on a hypothetical continent and the world map

Classifying Climates The ideal climate classification system would achieve five objectives: 1. It should clearly differentiate among all the major types of climates that occur on Earth. 2. It should show the relationships among these climate types. 3. It should apply to the entire planet. 4. It should provide a framework for further subdivision to cover specific locales. 5. It should demonstrate the controls that cause any particular climate.

The Köppen Classification Simplified version of the modern Koppen climate classification system.

Köppen Classification Fig 16.2 Distribution of climate types across a hypothetical continent.

Fig 16.3 Global distribution of climates according to the modified Köppen classification system.

Description of the Köppen Climate Types A-Tropical climates Af-tropical rainforest, Am-monsoon forest, Aw-savanna B-Desert climates BW-true desert, BS-steppe C-Mesothermal, moderate temperature Cf-no dry season, Cs-summer dry, Cw-winter dry D-Microthermal, snow forest Df-no dry season, Dw-winter dry, continental E-Frost climates ET-tundra, EF-eternal frost H-Highland climates

Changing location of the January 18oC isotherm in S. Florida, 1941-1979.