GEOG 111: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL

GEOGRAPHY

Lecture 7:
Climate and Climate Classification

Instructor: Dr. Peter Bilson Obour

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 Learning Goals

Understand climate classifications

Describe the climate classes identified by the
Köppen’s classification system.
 Global Climatic Regions

Climate could be defined as the average

weather conditions of a large area studied over
a long period of time
Study of climate involves the study of trends in
elements of weather. These elements include:
Temperature
Precipitation
Pressure
 Elements and Variations

 Temperature of an area:
– Its mean or average: a. Annually b. Monthly c. Average monthly
daytime highs and nighttime lows
– Its typical degree of variation: a. Range or standard deviation in
annual averages b. Range or standard deviation in monthly
averages c. Range or standard deviation in monthly highs and lows
– When the highest and lowest monthly averages are experienced

 Precipitation:
– Types commonly experienced: rain, snow, sleet, hail
– Averages a. Annual receipt b. Receipt by month
– Typical variation a. Extreme ranges annually and monthly b.
Standard deviations annually and monthly

 When the highest and lowest monthly averages are experienced

 Duration of drought
 Classification of Climate

 A number of climate classification systems are

encountered in physical geography.

 They might be based on annual and monthly averages of

temperature and precipitation or perhaps on the balance
between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration
(itself based on temperature).

 There are three fundamental types of classifications used

in climatology
 Classification of Climate

 Empirical systems: Classification based on observable

features. The Köppen system is an empirical system based on
observations of temperature and precipitation

 Genetic classification systems are those based on the cause

of the climate. A genetic system relies on information about the
climatic elements of solar radiation, air masses, pressure
systems

 Applied classification systems created for particular climate-

associated problem. The Thornthwaite classification system is
one based on potential evapotranspiration and thus groups
climates based on water requirements. This classification
system grew out of the issue of trying to predict the supply and
demand for water in different climate regions.
 Classification of Climate

 The earliest known climatic classifications were those

of Classical Greek times.

 Aristotle believed that each of the Earth's hemispheres

(Northern and Southern) could be divided into 3 zones

 Because these climate zones are classified based on latitude—

a geographic coordinate—they're also known as the geographic
zones.
 Classification of Climate

 Warren Thornthwaite developed a water budget approach,

based on potential evapotranspiration compared to water
receipt

 Wladimir Köppen devised a system based on monthly

temperature averages and precipitation receipt, which he
and his student, Rudolf Geiger put together into a
wonderful map of the world's climates, called the Köppen-
Geiger map
Köppen-Geiger map
 World Climatic Regions

 The Köppen Climate Classification System is the

most widely used system for classifying the
world's climates

 Its categories are based on the annual and

monthly averages of temperature and
precipitation.

 The Köppen system recognizes five major

climatic types; each type is designated by a
capital letter.
 World Climate Classification

• A - Tropical Moist Climates: all months have average

temperatures above 18° Celsius.

• B - Dry Climates: with deficient precipitation during

most of the year.

• C - Moist Mid-latitude Climates with Mild Winters.

• D - Moist Mid-Latitude Climates with Cold Winters.

• E - Polar Climates: with extremely cold winters and

summers.
 Tropical Moist Climates (A)

 Tropical moist climates extend about 15 to 25° northward and

southward from the equator
 In these climates all months have average temperatures greater than
18° Celsius.
 Annual precipitation is greater than 1500 mm.
 Three minor Köppen climate types exist in the A group,
 Their designation is based on seasonal distribution of rainfall.
 Af or tropical wet is a tropical climate where precipitation occurs all
year long.
– Monthly temperature variations in this climate are less than 3°
Celsius.
– Because of intense surface heating and high humidity, cumulus
and cumulonimbus clouds form early in the afternoons almost
every day.
– Daily highs are about 32° Celsius, while night time temperatures
average 22° Celsius.
Af - Andagoya, Columbia 5° N , Elevation: 65 m

Sept
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
.
Temp.
27 27 28 28 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27
°C
Precip.
554 519 557 620 655 655 572 574 561 563 563 512 6905
mm
 Tropical Moist Climates (A)-Cont.

• Am is a tropical monsoon climate

– Annual rainfall is equal to or greater than Af, but

most of the precipitation falls in the 7 to 9 hottest
months.

– During the dry season very little rainfall occurs.

 Am - Mangalore, India 13° N , Elevation: 22 m

Ja
n Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
.
Temp. °
27 27 28 29 29 27 26 26 26 27 27 27 27
C
Precip.
m 5 2 9 40 233 982 1059 577 267 206 71 18 3467
m
 Tropical Moist Climates (A)-Cont.

• The tropical wet and dry or savanna (Aw)

– has an extended dry season during winter.

– Precipitation during the wet season is usually

less than 1000 mm, and only during the
summer season.
 Aw - Calcutta, India 22.5° N , Elevation: 6 m

Dec
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Year
.
Temp.
20 23 28 30 31 30 29 29 30 28 24 21 27
°C
Precip.
13 24 27 43 121 259 301 306 290 160 35 3 1582
mm
 Aw - Cuiaba, Brazil 13.5° S , Elevation: 165 m

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Temp.
27 27 27 27 26 24 24 26 28 28 28 27 27
°C
Precip.
216 198 232 116 52 13 9 12 37 130 165 195 1375
mm
 Dry Climates (B)

• The most obvious climatic feature of this climate is that potential evaporation
and transpiration exceed precipitation.
• This climatic region extends from 20 - 35° North and South of the equator
• In large continental regions of the mid-latitudes often surrounded by
mountains
• Characteristics:
– low relative humidity and cloud cover

– low frequency and amount of precipitation.

– high mean annual temperature.

– high monthly temperatures.

– high diurnal temperature ranges.

– high wind velocities.

 Dry Climates (B)-cont.

Minor types of this climate include:

• BW - dry arid (desert) is a true desert climate.

o It covers 12% of the Earth's land surface and is dominated

by xerophytic vegetation.

o The additional letters h and k are used generally to

distinguish whether the dry arid climate is found in the
subtropics or in the mid-latitudes, respectively
 BWh - Berbera, Somalia 10.5° N , Elevation: 8 m

Sept
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
.
Temp.
25 26 27 29 32 37 37 37 34 29 26 26 30
°C
Precip.
8 2 5 12 8 1 1 2 1 2 5 5 52
mm
 Dry Climates (B)-cont.

• BS - dry semiarid (steppe).

o Is a grassland climate that covers 14% of the Earth's land

surface.

o It receives more precipitation than the BW either from the

intertropical convergence zone or from mid-latitude cyclones

o The additional letters h and k are used generally to distinguish

whether the dry semiarid climate is found in the subtropics or
in the mid-latitudes, respectively
 BSk - Denver, Colorado, USA 40° N , Elevation: 1611 m

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Temp.
-1 1 4 9 14 19 23 22 17 11 4 -1 10
°C
Precip.
14 16 34 45 63 43 47 38 28 26 23 15 391
mm
 Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climates
(C)
 This climate generally has warm and humid summers with mild winters.
 Its extent is from 30 to 50° of latitude mainly on the eastern and western
borders of most continents.
 During winter, the main weather feature is the mid-latitude cyclone.

 Convective thunderstorms dominate summer months.

 Three minor types exist:

• Cfa - humid subtropical

– The humid subtropical climate (Cfa) has hot muggy summers and
frequent thunderstorms.
– Winters are mild and precipitation during this season comes from mid-
latitude cyclones.
– A good example of a Cfa climate is the southeastern USA.
 Cf - New Orleans, USA 30° N , Elevation: 1 m

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Temp.
12 13 16 20 24 27 28 28 26 21 16 13 20
°C
Precip.
98 101 136 116 111 113 171 136 128 72 85 104 1371
mm
 Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climates
(C)-cont.
• Cfb - marine.
– marine climates are found on the western coasts of continents.

– They have a humid climate with short dry summer.

– Heavy precipitation occurs during the mild winters because of the

continuous presence of mid-latitude cyclones.

• Cs - Mediterranean;
– Mediterranean climates (Cs) receive rain primarily during winter season
from the mid-latitude cyclone.

– Extreme summer aridity is caused by the sinking air of the subtropical

highs and may exist for up to 5 months.

– Locations in North America are from Portland, Oregon to all of

California.
 Cf - London, England 51.5° N , Elevation: 5 m

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Temp.
4 4 7 9 12 16 18 17 15 11 7 5 10
°C
Precip.
54 40 37 38 46 46 56 59 50 57 64 48 595
mm
 Moist Continental Mid-latitude Climates (D)

 Moist Continental Mid-latitude Climates (D)

 Moist continental mid-latitude climates have warm to cool
summers and cold winters.
 The location of these climates is pole ward of the C climates.

 The average temperature of the warmest month is greater

than 10° Celsius, while the coldest month is less than -3°
Celsius.

 Winters are severe with snowstorms, strong winds, and bitter

cold from Continental Polar or Arctic air masses.
 Like the C climates there are three minor types:
– Dw - dry winters;
– Ds - dry summers;
– Df - wet all seasons.
 Dw - Calgary, Canada 51° N , Elevation: 1140 m

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Temp.
-10 -9 -4 4 10 13 17 15 11 5 -2 -7 4
°C
Precip.
17 20 26 35 52 88 58 59 35 23 16 15 444
mm
 Polar Climates (E)
 Polar climates have year-round cold temperatures with the
warmest month less than 10° Celsius.
 Polar climates are found on the northern coastal areas of
North America, Europe, Asia, and on the landmasses of
Greenland and Antarctica.
 Two minor climate types exist.

• ET or polar tundra
– climate where the soil is permanently frozen to depths of
hundreds of meters, a condition known as permafrost.
– Vegetation is dominated by mosses, lichens, dwarf trees
and scattered woody shrubs.
• EF or polar ice caps has a surface that is permanently covered
with snow and ice.
 EF - Plateau Station, Antarctica 79° S , Elevation: 3625 m

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Temp.
-34 -44 -57 -66 -66 -69 -68 -71 -65 -60 -44 -32 -56
°C
Precip.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
mm
 Highland Climate (H)

 Highland climate is designated by letter H

 Major climate type often added to the Köppen classification,

although it was not part of the original or revised systsms by
Köppens.

 Highland climates occupy mountains and high plateaus at any

latitude.

 It includes all highland areas not easily categorized by other climate

types.

 The major highland regions of the world (Sierra Nevada, and the
Rockies of North America, the Andes of South America, the
Himalayas and Tibet plateau in Asia, the eastern highlands of Africa.
 Highland Climate (H)-cont.

 They tend to be cool to cold because air temperatures in the

atmosphere normally decrease with altitude

 The reduced amount of air overhead results in high

atmospheric transparency and enhanced receipt of solar
radiation, especially ultraviolet wavelength at elevation.

 Mountains can act as barriers to the movement of air masses,

which causes differences in precipitation amounts between
windward and leeward slopes.

 Highland areas usually derive their annual temperature cycle

and the times of their wet and dry seasons from the climate of
the surrounding
 Strengths of Köppens Classification

 This classification scheme uses certain critical values of

temperature of the warmest and the coldest months and
precipitation of the wettest and the driest months.

 The weather elements, temperature and precipitation, affect

other aspects of our physical environment more directly than
any other elements.

 The system of classification devised by Köppens is directly

related to those aspects of the environment which are clearly
visible to us.

 The Köppen climate system is easy and convenient to use,

given monthly weather data.
 Message

At first the classification scheme may look a bit difficult, but its
close examination reveals that it is based on certain critical
values with which all geography students soon become familiar.
End of Class

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