Koeppen’s Climate Classification

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of climate, covering koeppen’s climate classification of climate zones worldwide, and the different types of world climates. We’ll further analyze the climates of tropical and subtropical regions, studying the unique ecosystems that thrive there and finally we will discuss the crucial topic of climate change and Global warming.

World Climate and its Classification: Empirical, Genetic, and Koeppen’s Classification

• The world climate can be studied by classifying it into three broad approaches – empirical, genetic and applied. 
• Empirical classification: It is based on observed data, particularly on temperature and precipitation. 
• Genetic classification: It  attempts to organize climates according to their causes and applied koeppen’s climate classification for a specific purpose. 
• The koeppen’s climate classification: It is the most widely used system to catalog climate types in the world.

koeppen’s climate classification scheme  

The koeppen’s climate classification, developed by Wladimir Köppen, is a widely used system for classifying the world’s climates based on empirical data related to temperature and precipitation. 

• Empirical Classification: koeppen’s climate classification is based on empirical data, specifically annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data. 
  • By analyzing these climatic parameters, Köppen identified distinct climate types that correlate with different vegetation patterns.
• Capital and Small Letters: Köppen introduced a system of using capital letters to designate major climatic groups and small letters to represent climatic types within those groups. 
  • There are five major climatic groups, denoted by the letters A, B, C, D, and E.

• • Group A: Humid climates

• • Group B: Dry climates

• • Group C: Mild mid-latitude climates

• • Group D: Severe mid-latitude climates

• • Group E: Polar climates

• Subcategories: Within each major climatic group, there are subcategories denoted by small letters. 
  • For example, the letter “f” within Group C represents a humid subtropical climate, while “w” represents a desert climate within Group B.
• Numeric System: Köppen’s system also uses numeric values to further define climate types based on temperature and precipitation ranges.

The koeppen’s climate classification system provides a concise way to describe and categorize the world’s climates, making it a valuable tool for researchers, climatologists, and geographers. It offers insights into the relationships between climate, vegetation, and other natural features.

Figure: Climatic Groups According to Koeppen

Sub-division of koeppen’s climate classification of climate: Understanding Seasons and Severity

• Division: The koeppen’s climate classification is subdivided into types, designated by small letters, based on seasonality of precipitation and temperature characteristics.
• Season: The seasons of dryness are indicated by the small letters : f, m, w and s, where f corresponds to no dry season, m – monsoon climate, w – winter dry season and s – summer dry season.
  • The small letters a, b, c and d refer to the degree of severity of temperature.
  • The B – Dry Climates are subdivided using the capital letters S for steppe or semi-arid and W for deserts. 

Figure: Sub-division of Koeppen’s climate classification

Tropical Humid Climates: Exploring the Equatorial Belt’s Diversity

• Location: Tropical humid climates exist between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
• Climate Type: The sun being overhead throughout the year and the presence of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) make the koeppen’s climate classification hot and humid.
• Annual range of temperature is very low and annual rainfall is high.
• The tropical group is divided into three types:
  • Af – Tropical wet climate;
  • Am – Tropical monsoon climate;
  • Aw – Tropical wet and dry climate.

Table:  Types of Tropical Humid Climates

Highland Climates: Exploring Varied Terrains and Temperature Zones

• Highland climates are governed by topography.
• In high mountains, drastic changes in mean temperature occur over short distances.
• Precipitation types and intensity also vary spatially across highlands.
• There is vertical zonation of layering of climatic types with elevation in the mountain environment.