1. Köppen Climate Classification
A. Beckingham
Geography 12

2. Who, why Wladimir Köppen, 1846-1940
Climatologist, meteorologist, botanist
Connection between climate and vegetation
Developed a climate classification system that uses avg. temp.,avg. precip., and the seasonality of precip.
The system is based on the concept that vegetation is the best expression of climate.
Rainforest
Shrub land

3. Köppen Classification
5 main groups
Tropical
Dry
Temperate
Continental
Polar

4. Köppen Classification
A – Tropical rainy climates
Avg. Temp. > 18°C every month
Annual precip. is large and exceeds evaporation
No winter season

5. Köppen Classification
B – Dry climates
Evaporation exceeds precipitation for the year
No water surplus
No permanent streams would orginate in a B climate zone

6. Köppen Classification
C – Temperate (mild) climates
Coldest month avg. temp. < 18°C and > -3°C
At least one month avg. temp. > 10°C
Distinct summer and winter seasons

7. Köppen Classification
D – Continental (snowy-forest) climates
Coldest month avg. temp. < -3°C
Warmest month avg. temp. > 10°C
(forest is not generally found where the warmest month is colder than 10°C)

8. Köppen Classification
E – Polar climates
Warmest month avg. temp. < 10°C
No summer season

9. Köppen Classification
H – Highland climates
Influenced by high elevation rather than high latitude
Variable with conditions chaning over relatively small distances
Occur at all latitudes; coastal and interior
No subdivisions

10. Köppen Classification
Subdivisions: B group
BS – Steppe climate
mm precip. annually
BW – Desert climate
< 400mm precip. annually
Timing of the precip. is significant due to evaporation
If precip. is concentrated in the low-sun season then less precip. is required to designate a steppe climate zone

11. Köppen Classification
Subdivisions: A, C, and D groups
Second letter
f – moist, adequate precip. in all months, no dry season
w – dry season in the winter (low-sun season)
s – dry season in the summer (high-sun season)
m – rainforest climate, despite short dry season (A Group only)

12. Köppen Classification
Subdivisions: E group
ET – Tundra climate
Warmest month temp. > 0°C but <10°C
EF – Ice cap climate
Warmest month temp. < 0°C

13. Köppen Classification
Subdivisions: Third letter (B, C, and D groups)
a – warmest month > 22°C (hot summer)
b – warmest month < 22°C, 4 months > 10°C (warm summer)
c – fewer than 4 months > 10°C (cool summer)
d – same as C but coldest month < -38°C (cold summer)
h – dry and hot; mean annual temp. >18°C (low-lat. desert)
k – dry and cold; mean annual temp. <18°C (mid-lat. desert)