1. The major types of climate classification 1.Empirical: based on the results of climate (air temperature and precipitation amount) Example: Kӧppen System and the Thornthwaite System 2. Genetic: based on the causes 1.Latitude 2.Elevation 3.Location on continent 4.Semi-permanent pressure systems (air masses) 5.Warm-cold ocean current

7. Moisture index I=100[(P/PE)-1] Potential Evaportranspiration (PE): Water required for a homogenous uniform height vegetation that never lacks of water

8. Air Masses: a large body of air with homogenous thermal and moisture characteristics cP: continental polar air (cold and dry) mP: maritime polar (cool and moist) cT: continental tropical (hot and dry) mT: maritime tropical (warm and moist)

9. Global general circulation model High Pressure: dry Low Pressure: wet Equator: Inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) 30°N/S: Subtropical High 60°N/S: polar low (polar front) Poles: polar high

10. Semi-permanent pressure system associated with General Circulation Model: Pacific High (Hawaii High) Bermuda high Aleutian Low Icelandic Low Siberian high Canadian High

13. PE follows air temperature When T is below freezing, PE=0