Köppen-Geiger map
Using air temperature (0C) and precipitation (mm y-1) criteria from high-resolution climatic datasets, the present Köppen-Geiger map (Figure 2.2a) was developed. The current Köppen-Geiger classification didn’t consider the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which may alter how vegetation relates to various climate classes. Consider the future Köppen-Geiger classification (Figure 2.2b) as providing information on possible spatial changes in regional climatic zones under climate change, which caused by the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Rudolf Geiger
Rudolf Geiger, a climatologist, altered the Köppen classification system in 1961 to improve the alignment of climate zones and biomes. By merging appropriate first, second, and third-order subdivisions, modified Köppen–Geiger climatic types are produced. To classify regional climates more precisely, those primary (first) climatic types were subsequently classified into second and third-order subdivisions.
Second-order subdivision
The average monthly and total annual precipitation for A, C, and D climates is denoted by the second-order subdivision (with “f” denoting a climate that is wet all year, “m” denoting tropical monsoon conditions, “s” denoting dry summer climates, “w” denoting dry winter climates and “m” representing tropical monsoon conditions).
B climate second-order subdivision
The second-order subdivision in the case of B climate is “W” if the dry climate is a true desert, and “S” if the dry climate is only semi-arid. Second-order subdivisions for “E” climate include “T” for Tundra climate, a milder arctic sub-type, and “F” (frozen) for Ice Cap climate.
Third-order subdivisions
The third order subdivisions in the Mesothermal and Microthermal climates specify the features of summer temperatures, with “a” indicating hot summers, “b” indicating warm summers, “c” indicating mild summers, and the rare “d” indicating cool summers. The third-order subdivision of arid climates is “h” for hot and “k” for cold.
Tropical wet climate (A)
From the equator to 15o to 25o north and south latitudes, the tropical wet climate (A) exists. The average temperature in all monthly records exceeds 18o C (64.4o F). More than 60 inches (>1500mm) of rain falls each year.
Tropical wet or equatorial rainforest climate (Af)
Af refers to a tropical environment with year-round precipitation. In this environment, monthly temperature differences are fewer than 3o C. Cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds occur practically every day early in the afternoon due to severe surface heating and high humidity. The average daily high temperature is 32o C, while the average nighttime temperature is 22o C. This climate is found in areas such as Amazon rain forest and Congo basin.
Tropical monsoon climate (Am)
Am denotes a climate with yearly rainfall similar to or greater than Af, but with the majority of precipitation falling during the 7 to 9 hottest months to support the rainforest. There is extremely little rain throughout the dry season. This type of climate found in regions such as parts of India and South east Asia.
Tropical wet and dry or savanna (Aw)
The third group, tropical wet and dry or savanna (Aw), is characterized by a prolonged dry season in the winter. During the rainy or summer season, precipitation is frequently less than 40 inches. examples inculed the african savanna and the tropical regions of south america.
Aw and Am climates difference
The difference between Aw and Am climates is determined by annual precipitation and the driest month’s precipitation, using the formula below: a=3.94-r/25 , where a= precipitation of driest month, and r = annual precipitation. If the precipitation of the driest month of a place is less than the value of “a”, it will be Aw climate, whereas if it is more than the value of “a”, it will be Am climate.
Climate Classification and Regions of the World
During most months, mean evapotranspiration tends to exceed mean precipitation in a dry environment. Type B climates are characterized by a lack of precipitation for the majority of the year, which limits vegetation growth and spread. Aridity is defined by the interaction between precipitation input to the soil where plants grow and evaporative losses. Aridity is defined by Köppen in terms of the temperature-precipitation index, with evaporation thought to be controlled by temperature.
Dry climate (B)
Dry climates are generated by their location: In trade wind belts, On the leeward side of high mountains, and In the interior of continents along cool ocean currents.
Desert (BW)
A true arid climate dominated by xerophytes vegetation that covers 12% of the earth’s land surface. It is found between 15 and 300 North and South, where warm, dry air sinks because of subtropical highzones. Vast deserts such as the Sahara or Gobi are included.
Dry Semiarid or Steppe (BS)
A grassland climate that encompasses 14% of the planet’s land area. The climate gets more precipitation than the BW from the inter-tropical convergence zone or mid-latitude cyclones.
Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration is the term for the combination of two distinct processes of water loss, one by evaporation from the soil surface and another by transpiration from a plant.
Mid-latitude Mild or Mesothermal (C)
Warm and humid summers alternate with mild winters in this region, which is located between 25 and 400 latitudes, primarily on the eastern and western borders of most continents. It is frequently dominated by convective thunderstorms during the summer months.
Cf climate
This climate is characterized by precipitation throughout the year, with more than 1.2 inches of precipitation in the driest month of the summer season. This is the most common climate in Western Europe.
Cfa and Cfb
A. Humid subtropical (Cfa), Is found along east costs of continents are characterized by warm humid summers with frequent thunderstorms; and precipitation coming from mid-latitude cyclones during the mild winter season); and B. Marine west coast (Cfb), is found in the western sides of continents are characterized by humidity, short dry summer, and persistent mid-latitude cyclones (causing heavy precipitation during mild winters).
Cw Climate
Characterized by dry winters, and has 10 times more precipitation in the wettest month of summer season than the driest month of winter season. It is the dominant climatic type in China.
Cs (Mediterranean)
The primary rainfalls from mid-latitude cyclones during the winter season. Extreme summer aridity is caused by the sinking airs of the subtropical highs. The wettest winter month receives at least three times the amount of rain as the driest summer month.
Mid-latitude Cold or Microthermal (D) Climate
This climate type also called continental climate is found on the poleward side of the moderate (C) mid-latitude climate. Warm to cool summers and cold winters are the most prominent features.
Polar Climate (E)
This climate is characterized by cold temperatures year-round, with the warmest month having a temperature of about than 100C. Geographically, it is found on the landmasses of Greenland and Antarctica, as well as the northern coastal portions of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Highland Climate
Due to the effects of height, tundra and polar conditions could be seen in low latitude places. In high latitudes, climate change experienced while climbing 300 meters (1000 feet) in elevation is equivalent to horizontal changes encountered while moving 300 kilometers (186 miles) northward (this distance is equal to about 30 latitude).
