Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13

Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science

Lund University

Climate classification, the Köppen system

One of the most known and used climate classification systems was constructed by Wladimir
Köppen (1846-1940). It is based on biogeography but is defined by numerical values of one
or more climate elements, like monthly mean temperature and the precipitation distribution
over the year. The Köppen’s classification system has been modified many times and is still
used for climatological analyses. One example is Rubel and Kottek (2010) that used the
classification to depict climate shifts over the time 1901-2100 using a version of the Köppen
classification system. The Köppen system consists of five main groups (A, B, C, D and E)
divided into subgroups. A combination of two to three letters thus comprises all climate types
of the world.

Your task is to use a number of climographs – diagrams showing the annual course of the
monthly mean temperature and monthly mean totals of precipitation for a certain place – to
classify the location according to the Köppen system. Furthermore, there are questions that
should be answered in connection to this, e.g. ‘Describe the spatial distribution and the main
climate controlling factors of this climate type’. These controls could be latitude,
maritimity/continentality, altitude, different components of the global atmosphere and ocean
circulation (areas of rising and sinking air, surface wind directions, cold and warm ocean
currents etc.). Before starting the exercise, you are recommended to read through the copies
from Ahrens ‘Meteorology Today’ (2009, 2013) and Hess ‘Physical Geography – A
landscape appreciation’ (2011) in order to be acquainted with the classification and
understand the reasons for the distribution of the regional climates as well as understanding
the link to the typical vegetation, the biomes.

The table below shows the criteria for each class and subclass and origins from Ahrens’ book
(2009). Start by identifying if the climate type is Dry (B) or Humid (A, C, D, E). This you
will find by estimating the relation between p (the annual precipitation total) and 2t (t is the
annual average temperature). If p>=2t, the climate is humid and if p<2t, the climate is dry. 2t
is used if there is a dry summer season. For dry winter season, use 2t+28 and for no
pronounced dry season during the year, use 2t+14. The relationship varies as the evaporation
is larger when it is warmer. It thus requires larger amounts of precipitation during a summer
to make the climate humid than during a winter season. If the climate is found to be dry, go on
identifying if it is a steppe type (S) or desert type (W) and then if the climate is generally hot
(h) or cool (k).

If the climate is humid, go on by finding the correct major class (A, C, D or E). Read each top
sentence for the letter A, C, D and E and check which facts that corresponds to your data.
Then go on with the second letter (first subclass), telling if there is a dry season during winter
or summer or if there is no pronounced drought and then find the third letter for the second
subclass by checking the temperature amplitude. In the E class there is no third letter for the
second subclass.

Hand in a document with, for each station, the climate type class and the answers to the
questions.

Ahrens, C. D., 2009: Meteorology Today. An introduction to weather, climate and the environment. 9th edition.
Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Ahrens, C. D., 2013: Meteorology Today. An introduction to weather, climate and the environment. 10th edition.
Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

1(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

Hess, D., 2011: McKnights’s Physical Geography. A landscape appreciation. 10 th edition. Pearson Education,
Inc.
Rubel, F. and Kottek, M., 2010: Observed and projected climate shifts 1901-2100 depicted by world maps of the
Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Meteorologische Zeitschrift 19(2):135-141.
Kottek, M. et al., 2006: World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorologische
Zeitschrift 15(3): 259-263.

2(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

1.
a) What is the Köppen classification of Bergen (Norway)?
b) What is so special about this diagram, what is the reason for this?

30 400
Bergen Norway 7.8°C
25 1958 mm 350
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

20 300

15 250
(°C)

10 200

5 150

0 100

-5 precipitation 50
temperature
-10 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 1.5 1.3 3.1 5.8 10.2 12.6 15 14.7 12 8.3 5.5 3.3 7.8
precip. (mm) 179 139 109 140 83 126 141 167 228 236 207 203 1958.0

3(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

2.
a) What is the Köppen classification for Oslo?
b) Compare this diagram with Bergen! Why are they different?

30 100
Oslo 5.7°C
25 769 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

20 75

15
(°C)

10 50

0 25

-5 precipitation
temperature
-10 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) -4.3 -4 -0.2 4.6 10.8 15.2 16.4 15.2 10.8 6.4 0.7 -2.8 5.7
precip. (mm) 49 36 46 42 52 65 84 90 90 84 75 56 769.0

4(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

3.
a) What is the Köppen classification of Turku (Finland)?
b) Compare this diagram with the example of Oslo and with Bergen! All 3 cities are
located approximately at the same latitude, but their Köppen classifications differ.
Explain!

30 100
Turku Finland 4.8°C
25 661 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

20 75

15
(°C)

10 50

0 25

-5 precipitation
temperature
-10 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) -6 -6.2 -2.6 3 9.8 14.9 16.5 15.2 10.3 5.7 0.6 -3.6 4.8
precip. (mm) 45 33 34 38 35 43 78 84 72 69 71 59 661.0

5(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

4.
a) What is the Köppen classification of Svalbard (Spitsbergen)?
b) Describe the spatial distribution and the main climate controlling factors of this
climate type.
c) What kind of vegetation would you expect at this site?

10 100
Svalbard Spitsbergen -6.5°C
5 183 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

0 75

-5
(°C)

-10 50

-15 precipitation
temperature
-20 25

-25

-30 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) -15.4 -15.7 -14.7 -11.7 -3.7 2.2 6 4.8 0.5 -5.5 -10.5 -13.3 -6.4
precip. (mm) 14 19 21 12 6 10 13 25 23 15 13 12 183.0

6(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

5.
a) Cagliari (Sicily, Italy); what is the Köppen climate classification?
b) Describe the spatial distribution and the main climate controlling factors of this
climate type.
c) What kind of vegetation would you expect at this site?

30 100
Cagliari Sicilia 16.4°C
25 417 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

20 75

15
(°C)

10 50

0 25

-5 precipitation
temperature
-10 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 9.8 10.3 11.6 13.8 17.3 21.3 24.2 24.3 21.8 18.1 13.7 10.8 16.4
precip. (mm) 45 57 43 36 24 11 4 10 27 50 50 54 411.0

7(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

6.
a) Describe the spatial distribution and the main climate controlling factors of this
climate type.
b) What kind of vegetation would you expect at this site?
c) Denpasar (Bali); what is the Köppen climate classification?

40 400
Denpasar Bali 27.1°C
35 1624 mm 350
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

30 300

25 250
(°C)

20 200

15 150

10 100

5 precipitation 50
temperature
0 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 27.7 27.7 27.4 27.8 27.3 26.6 25.9 25.8 26.4 27.2 27.8 27.7 27.1
precip. (mm) 353 250 201 69 117 48 41 26 39 99 116 265 1624.0

8(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

7.
a) Describe the spatial distribution and the main climate controlling factors of this
climate type.
b) What kind of vegetation would you expect at this site?
c) Riad (Saudi Arabia); what is the Köppen climate classification?

40 100
Riad Saudi-Arabia 25.6°C
35 118 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

30 75

25
(°C)

20 50

15
precipitation
10 temperature 25

0 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 14.1 16.5 20.9 25.4 31.6 34.1 35.3 35 32.2 26.5 20.5 15.2 25.6
precip. (mm) 12 9 29 33 10 1 1 0 0 1 6 16 118.0

9(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

8.
a) Describe the spatial distribution and the main climate controlling factors of this
climate type.
b) What kind of vegetation would you expect at this site?
c) Belem (Amazonas; Brasil); what is the Köppen climate classification?

40 800
Belem Amazonia 26.1°C
35 2897 mm 700
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

30 600

25 500
(°C)

20 400

15 300

10 200

5 precipitation 100
temperature
0 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 25.6 25.6 25.5 25.9 26 26.1 25.8 25.9 26.1 26.4 27.6 26.3 26.1
precip. (mm) 357 398 434 365 294 175 151 138 139 115 110 221 2897.0

10(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

9.
a) Santiago de Chile; what is the Köppen climate classification?
b) Describe the spatial distribution and the main climate controlling factors of this
climate type.
c) What kind of vegetation would you expect at this site?

30 100
Santiago de Chile 14.3°C
25 301 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

20 75

15
(°C)

10 50

0 25
precipitation
temperature
-5

-10 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 20.8 20 17.6 14.1 11 8.6 8.1 8.9 11.3 14.4 16.9 19.8 14.3
precip. (mm) 0 1 2 11 33 68 73 67 20 18 6 2 301.0

11(12)
Thomas Holst, Maj-Lena Linderson 2017-01-13
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Lund University

10.
From its climate diagram and Köppens world map, where do you think this city might be
located? Motivate your answer!

30 100
16.5°C
25 449 mm
monthly average temperature

monthly precipitation (mm)

20 75

15
(°C)

10 50

0 25

-5 precipitation
temperature
-10 0
jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec
month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec year
temp. (°C) 21.9 22.1 20.1 17 14.1 11.7 11.1 11.9 13.5 15.8 18.2 20.2 16.5
precip. (mm) 19 19 22 37 57 52 66 51 40 38 23 25 449.0

12(12)