3.4 Climate Classifications

Question 1

How is a region’s climate defined?

Answer 1

• The annual pattern of temperature, sunlight, rainfall, humidity and wind averaged out over several years

Question 2

How is the Growing Degree Days (GDD) calculated? (Celsius)

Answer 2

• Is a heat summation model using mean temperatures to calculate total number of days when temperatures are suitable for growing .

GDD = (Tmax - Tmin)/2 )-10 - gives you the GDD for one day.
This is calculated for each day within the given period to get the total GDD days.

The Winkler Index uses this calculation to classify areas into climate regions based on their GDDs

Question 3

What is the Huglin Index? Who created it? Where is it used widely?

Answer 3

• Who: Huglin
• similar to GDD
• takes into account:
  
  • • both mean and maximum temperatures
  • • increased day length experienced at higher latitudes
• Also has an index
• Widely used in Europe

Question 4

What is the Mean Temperature of the Warmest Month (MJT)? Who created it? How many ranges?

Answer 4

• Smart and Dry
• Ranges: 6 bands (cold to very hot)
• Mean Jan/Jul Temp : uses the mean temperature of either July (or January (hottest month)
• Measures of continentality, humidity and hours of sunshine.

Question 5

What is the Growing Season Temperature model?

Answer 5

• Uses the mean temperature of the whole growing season
• Temperatures are grouped into climatic bands ranging from cool to hot.
• It is very closely correlated to GDD and is easier to calculate.

Question 6

What is Koppen’s Classification? What factors do they consider? Where do they not apply?

Answer 6

• Factors: temperature, rainfall patterns
• Majority of the world’s wine regions are categorised under three headings: maritime, Mediterranean and continental.
• Categories based very loosely on part of Köppen’s climate classification (1900)
• The categories apply to wine regions in temperate zones, not vineyards located in the tropics.

Question 7

Describe a Maritime climate. Give an example.

Answer 7

• Low annual differences between summer and winter temperatures
• Rainfall is relatively evenly spread throughout the year
• Example: Bordeaux

Question 8

Describe a Mediterranean climate. Give 2 examples.

Answer 8

• Low continentality
• Winter rainfall, dry summers
• Examples: Napa Valley and Coonawarra

Question 9

Describe a Continental climate. Give 2 examples.

Answer 9

• High continentality
• Short dry summers and cold winters
• At risk for spring frost
• Temperatures rapidly changing in the spring and autumn
• Examples: Burgundy and Alsace

Question 10

Define the GST temperature range for each of the different Koppen climate classifications

Answer 10

GST temperature means Growth Season Temperature
Cool < 16.5°C (62°F) or below.
Moderate  16.5–18.5°C (62–65°F).
WArm 18.5–21°C (65–70°F).
Hot > 21°C (70°F).

Question 11

What is Continentality?

Answer 11

Continentality refers to the difference between the average temperatures of the hottest / coldest month (Jan - July)