The planet's climate can be classified in different ways according to certain variables and parameters. It is necessary to be able to classify the climate to establish an order in the distribution area of numerous species of animals and plants, architectural designs, establishment of cities, weather forecast, etc. One of them is the Köppen climate classification. It is a system that is based on the fact that natural vegetation has a clear relationship with the climate, so the limits between one climate and another have been established taking into account the distribution of vegetation in the specific place.
In this article we are going to tell you what the Köppen climate classification is based on and what its main characteristics are.
Key features
The Köppen climate classification is based on establishing a climate based on the distribution area of certain species. The parameters for being able to determining the climate of an area is usually the mean annual and monthly temperatures and rainfall. The seasonality of rainfall is also usually taken into account. In this case, it is something different.
It divides the world's climate into five main categories: tropical, arid, temperate, continental, and polar, identified by initial capital letters. Each group is a subgroup and each subgroup is a type of climate.
The Köppen climate classification was initially created by the German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, and later revised by himself and by Rudolf Geiger, describes each type of climate with a series of letters, usually three, that indicate the behavior of temperatures and rainfall. It is one of the most used climatic classifications due to its generality and simplicity.
Köppen climate classification: types of climates
Let's see what are the details of the procedure to determine each climate group, type and subgroup. Main climate catalog is divided into others and presents the associated vegetation and the regions in which it is found.
Group A: tropical climates
In this type of climate, no month of the year has average temperatures below 18 degrees. Annual rainfall is higher than the evaporation rate. It is about the climate that exists in tropical forests. Within group A of climates we have some divisions. These are as follows:
- Equatorial: In this climate, no month has a rainfall below 60mm. It is a hot and hateful climate throughout the year in which there are no seasons. It takes place in Ecuador up to 10 degrees latitude and is the climate of the nervous jungle.
- Monsoon: only one month has rainfall below 60 mm, and the regeneration of the driest month is higher than the formula. It is a year-round warm climate with a short dry season followed by humid, heavy rains. It is common in West Africa and Southeast Asia. It is the climate of monsoon forests.
- Bed sheet: has a month with less than 60 mm and if the precipitation of the driest month is less than the formula. It is a warm climate year-round and has a dry season. It appears as we move away from the Equator. It is the climate found in Cuba, large areas of Brazil, and much of India. It is typical of the savanna. You can read more about the types of warm climates and its relationship with vegetation.
Group B: dry climates
Annual precipitation is less than potential annual evapotranspiration. They are the climate of grasslands and deserts.
To determine whether a climate is dry, we obtain a precipitation threshold in mm. To calculate the threshold, we multiply the average annual temperature by 20, and then add up if 70% or more of the precipitation falls in the semester where the sun is 280. The highest (from April to September in the Northern Hemisphere, from October to March in the Southern Hemisphere), or 140 times (if precipitation in that period is between 30% and 70% of the total precipitation), or 0 times (if the period is between 30% and 70%) Precipitation is less than 30% of the total precipitation.
If the total annual average precipitation is above this threshold, it is not climate B. Let's see what are the dry climates:
- Warm steppe: Winters are mild and summers are warm or very warm. Rainfall is scarce, and its natural vegetation is tropical rainforest. It typically occurs in the tropics and subtropics, bordering subtropical deserts.
- Cold steppe: in this climate and winters are cold or very cold. We can also find temperate or warm summers with little rainfall and Esteban as natural vegetation. They are usually located in temperate latitudes and far from the sea.
- Hot desert: Winters are mild although inland areas temperatures can approach zero degrees at night. Summers are hot or very hot. In some areas with this climate, summer temperatures are extremely high, and the highest on the planet have been recorded. The precipitations are very little. It usually occurs in the subtropical fringes of both hemispheres.
- Cold desertIn this climate, winters are quite cold and summers are mild or warm. Rainfall is quite scarce, and the vegetation is typical of desert vegetation, sometimes even nonexistent. Temperate latitudes are also found. You can find more information about the climatic zones and its importance.
Köppen climate classification: group C
Within group C we have temperate climates. The average temperature of the coldest month is between -3ºC (in some classifications 0ºC) and 18ºC, and that of the warmest month exceeds 10ºC. Temperate forests are found in these climates.
- Maritime accidental coast: It has cold to temperate winters and cool summers. Rainfall is also distributed throughout the year. Its natural vegetation consists of deciduous forests.
- Subarctic maritime: It is notable for having cold winters and no real summer. Rain falls year-round, and there are some areas with strong winds that barely allow vegetation to grow.
- Mediterranean coast: They have mild winters and warm, dry summers. Most of the rainfall falls in winter or in the intermediate seasons. The Mediterranean forest is the natural vegetation. This classification is essential to understand all the world climates.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Köppen climate classification and its characteristics.