Kppen Climate Classification A. Beckingham Geography 12
Slide 2
Who, why Wladimir Kppen, 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.
Slide 3
Kppen Classification 5 main groups A.Tropical B.Dry C.Temperate
D.Continental E.Polar
Slide 4
Kppen Classification A Tropical rainy climates Avg. Temp. >
18C every month Annual precip. is large and exceeds evaporation No
winter season
Slide 5
Kppen Classification B Dry climates Evaporation exceeds
precipitation for the year No water surplus No permanent streams
would orginate in a B climate zone
Slide 6
Kppen Classification C Temperate (mild) climates Coldest month
avg. temp. -3C At least one month avg. temp. > 10C Distinct
summer and winter seasons
Slide 7
Kppen Classification D Continental (snowy-forest) climates
Coldest month avg. temp. < -3C Warmest month avg. temp. > 10C
(forest is not generally found where the warmest month is colder
than 10C)
Slide 8
Kppen Classification E Polar climates Warmest month avg. temp.
< 10C No summer season
Slide 9
Kppen 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
Slide 10
Kppen Classification Subdivisions: B group BS Steppe climate
400-800mm 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
Slide 11
Kppen 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)
Slide 12
Kppen Classification Subdivisions: E group ET Tundra climate
Warmest month temp. > 0 C but
Kppen Classification Subdivisions: Third letter (B, C, and D
groups) a warmest month > 22C (hot summer) b warmest month 10C
(warm summer) c fewer than 4 months > 10C (cool summer) d same
as C but coldest month < -38C (cold summer) h dry and hot; mean
annual temp. >18C (low-lat. desert) k dry and cold; mean annual
temp.