Köppen Climate Classification Definition

Koppen first climatic classification 1900 and after that

second classification 1918
It is already clear that vegetation, temperature,
and precipitation are the three main components involved
in defining the Köppen Climate Classification.
Before looking in more detail at the different climate
regions identified by this system, as well as the role each
component play, one needs to obtain a clear and concise
definition first of what the Köppen Climate Classification
is:
 he close correlation between climate and vegetation,
What Is The Köppen Climate Classification already mentioned in the introduction, forms the bases for
Definition? this popular classification system.
Late in the 19th century, climatologist and botanist
Wladimir Köppen developed a climate classification
system based on vegetation. He used the correlation
between vegetation and climate in different regions to
divide the world's climate into specific zones.
The resulting Köppen Climate Classification
categorizes the global climate into five distinct zones,
primarily based on the temperature and precipitation
The Köppen Climate Classification is a widely-used classification experienced by each one.
system that divides the global climate into five climate zones
primarily based on vegetation.
Köppen continued to change and refine his classification
system, with two of the most important amendments
[Link] 2. Xerophytes [Link] 4. mesotherm
[Link]
made in 1918 and 1936.
Climatologists continued to make amendments to
Developed by Wladimir Köppen at the end of the 19th century,
the system uses precipitation and temperature as the two key
Köppen's climate classification. Rudolf Geiger was
components to classify the climate of a region, as they are the probably the most influential in making important
determining factors for the type of vegetation that occurs. amendments, and the subsequent Köppen-Geiger
Classification System is one of the most widely used today.
 Climate Zones Of The World
According to the Köppen Climate Classification, the global
climate can be divided into five primary zones. These
climate zones are based on regional vegetation and The zones are defined by the capital letters A, B, C, D,
defined by the temperature and precipitation that is and E. The climate zones defined by each letter are:
responsible for its formation. A) Tropical Climates
B) Dry Climates
C) Temperate Climates
D) Continental Climates
E) Polar Climates
Each of the five major climate zones covers a vast
region and is divided into smaller categories to
describe the more specific climate types within each
zone.
To best understand each climate type and its
characteristics, is to look at it within the primary climate
zone in which it falls.
A) Tropical Climates
Tropical (also known as equatorial) climates occur in regions
situated around the equator and expand to latitudes of 15°
to 25° to the north and south. It can be defined by the
following characteristics:
•It is the warmest of all the climate zones.
•Regions in this zone have an average monthly temperature
of higher than 18° Celsius (64.4° Fahrenheit.)
•Annual precipitation exceeds 1 500 millimeters in this zone.
•High humidity levels and warm temperatures result in a
frequent, almost daily occurrences of cumulus or larger
cumulonimbus cloud formations.
This zone is divided into three subcategories, which are
classified according to temperature and dryness.
1.1
[Link] - Tropical Rainforest Climate (no dry season.)
3.2
[Link] - Tropical Monsoon Climate (short dry season)
5.3
[Link]/As - Tropical Savanna Climate (winter dry season)
B) Dry Climates

Dry (or arid) climates occur in regions situated at latitudes

between 20° to 35° north and south of the equator. It can
be defined by the following characteristics:
•The main feature of this climate zone is the complete
absence or extremely low levels of annual precipitation.
•The very dry atmospheric conditions are the result of the
combined evaporation and transpiration levels exceeding
the total amount of precipitation.
•Vegetation is sparse or completely absent as a result of
the dry climate with very little precipitation.
This climate zone is divided into desert (BW) and semi-arid
(BS) regions, according to vegetation type. It is further
categorized into hot (h) and cold (k) zones:
1.1BWh - Hot Desert Climate
2.2BWk - Cold Desert Climate
3.3BSh - Hot Semi-Arid Climate
4.4BSk - Cold Semi-Arid Climate
C) Temperate Climates
Temperate (or mesothermal) climates occur in regions situated at latitudes
between 30° to 50° north and south of the equator. It can be defined by the
following characteristics:
•Regions in this climate zone typically experience warm summers with high
levels of humidity and mild winter seasons.
•During the year, the warmest month is at least 10° Celsius (60° Fahrenheit)
or higher, while the coldest month is lower than 18° Celsius (64.4°
Fahrenheit) but higher than -3° Celsius (26.6° Fahrenheit).
•These climate zones are typically located on the edges of continents, along
the eastern and western coastlines.
Temperate climate zones are divided into three main categories according to
precipitation: mild temperate dry winters (Cw), mild temperate dry summers
(Cs), and mild temperate humid (Cf) climates. All three subcategories are
further divided according to temperatures:
1.1Cfa - Humid Subtropical Climate
2.2Cfb - Temperate Oceanic Climate
3.3Cfc - Subpolar Oceanic Climate
4.4Csa - Hot-Summer Mediterranean Climate
5.5Csb - Warm-summer Mediterranean
6.6Csc - Cold-summer Mediterranean Climate
7.7Cwa - Monsoon-Influenced Humid Subtropical Climate
8.8Cwb - Subtropical Highland Climate
9.9Cwc - Cold Subtropical Highland Climate
 D) Continental Climates
Continental climates typically occur in regions situated at latitudes between 40° and
75° north and south of the equator. (Although this type of climate is rare in the
Southern Hemisphere.) It can be defined by the following characteristics:
•The average temperature of the warmest month is above 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit),
while the coldest month is below -3° Celsius (26.6° Fahrenheit).
•This climate type is usually found in the interior of continents.
•Regions in this zone experience summers with warm to cool temperatures, while the
winters are generally cold.
Continental climate zones are divided into three main categories according to
precipitation: continental dry summer (Ds), continental dry winter (Dw), and
continental humid (Df) climates. Like temperate climates, they are further divided
according to temperature:

1.1Dfa - Hot-Summer Humid Continental Climate 1.8Dsd - Very Cold Subarctic Climate
2.2Dfb - Warm-Summer Humid Continental Climate 2.9Dwa - Monsoon-Influence Hot-Summer Humid Continental Climate
3.3Dfc - Subarctic Climate 3.10
[Link] - Monsoon-Influence Warm-Summer Humid Continental Climate
4.4Dfd - Extremely Cold Subarctic Climate
5.11
5.5Dsa - Hot Dry-Summer Continental Climate [Link] - Monsoon-Influence Subarctic Climate
6.6Dsb - Warm Dry-Summer Continental Climate 7.12
7.7Dsc - Subarctic Climate [Link] - Monsoon-Influence Extremely Cold Subarctic Climate​​
E) Polar Climates
Polar climates are located at latitudes above 70° over the Arctic, Greenland, and Antarctica. It is characterized by its all-
year-round cold temperatures and little to no vegetation. The following characteristics define it more precisely:
•The warmest month of the year is below 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit).
•Polar climate regions are extremely dry, with annual precipitation of less than 25 cm (10 inches).
Polar climates are divided into two categories according to vegetation:
1.1
[Link] - Tundra
3.2
[Link] - Ice Cap Climate

Tundra Climates consist of very little vegetation (mainly loose shrubs, mosses, and dwarf trees) over a surface where the
soil is frozen for several hundred meters. (A condition known as permafrost.) Ice Cap Climates are completely covered
by ice or snow.
Conclusion
As clearly illustrated throughout this article, several smaller climate regions exist within each of the five major climate
zones. Vegetation, temperature, and precipitation have been the key factors used in determining each
subcategory.
Most countries throughout the world experience multiple sub-climates, and many larger regions are influenced by five
or more different climate types at any given time. To explain all the climate zones affecting every country/region,
though, will fill an encyclopedia.
This post provided a broad and thorough overview of the five climate regions as defined by the Köppen Climate
Classification. It highlighted the characteristics of each one, as well as laying out their subcategories and how they
were defined.