ThursdayMay 12, 2011

(Koppen Climates)

The Launch PadThursday, 5/12/11

What would a spring in north Texas be like after this event?most likely

cool and wet

Describe this climate.humid, tropical (type A)

AnnouncementsBe sure to bring your laptops

tomorrow.Please check your yearly

average in this class.If you are below 70 for the year, please come and see me ASAP!There are only two more grades

remaining!

Assignments For This Six-Weeks Date Issued Date DueLab – Air Masses, the Mid-Latitude

Cyclones, and Weather Maps 4/20 4/25

Lab Quiz - Air Masses, the Middle-Latitude Cyclone, and Weather Maps 5/3 5/3

Lab – Weather Maps 5/4 5/6

Lab - National Weather Service Southern Regional Headquarters Local Weather

Information5/6 5/6

Test 10 5/10 5/10

Köppen Climates Dry (B) Climates

These are climates where evaporation exceeds precipitation, and there is a

constant water deficiency.

The boundary of these climate zones are determined by formulas involving three variables - average annual precipitation,

average annual temperature, and seasonal distribution of precipitation.

The two main B-type climates are:

Arid or desert (BW)

Semiarid or steppe (BS)

BS climates are more humid than arid BW climates; they surround deserts.

Examples include North Africa to northwestern India, northern Mexico, and

the southwestern U.S.

Arid and Semiarid Climates of the World

Figure 20.8

Köppen Climates Dry (B) Climates

Causes of Deserts and Steppes

In the low latitudes, deserts and steppes coincide with the dry,

stable, subsiding air of the subtropical high-pressure belts.

In middle-latitudes, deserts and steppes are due to their position

in the deep interiors of large landmasses and/or the presence

of high mountains.

Most of these are located in the Northern Hemisphere.

Comparison of B-Type Climates

Figure 20.9

Köppen Climates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates

with Mild Winters (C) These are climates where the

average temperature of the coldest month is below 64˚F but above 17˚F.

Subgroups of C climates include:

Humid Subtropics

These are located on the eastern sides of continents, in the 25 to 40

degrees latitude range.

They have hot, sultry summers and mild winters, with winter

precipitation generated along fronts.

Köppen Climates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates

with Mild Winters (C) These are climates where the

average temperature of the coldest month is below 64˚F but above

17˚F.

Subgroups of C climates include:

Marine West Coast These are located on the western

(windward) side of continents at 40 to 65 degrees north and south

latitude.Their onshore flow of ocean air

create mild winters and cool summers.

Köppen Climates Humid, Middle-Latitude Climates

with Mild Winters (C) These are climates where the average temperature of the

coldest month is below 64˚F but above 17˚F.

Subgroups of C climates include:

Dry-Summer Subtropics These climates are found on the

west sides of continents between latitudes 30˚ and 45˚.

They have strong winter rainfall, and are often called a

“Mediterranean” climate.

Comparison of C-Type Climates

Figure 20.10

Köppen Climates Humid, Middle-Latitude

Climates with Severe Winters (D)

These are climates where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 27˚F and the warmest monthly

mean exceeds 50˚F.

They are “land-controlled” climates, and are absent in the Southern Hemisphere.

Köppen Climates Humid, Middle-Latitude

Climates with Severe Winters (D) Subgroups of D climates include:

Humid Continental This type of D climate is confined to the central and eastern portions of

North America and Eurasia, between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude.

This climate is characterized by severe winter and summer temperatures and

high annual temperature ranges.

Precipitation is generally greater in the summer than in the winter, with snow remaining on the ground for extended

periods.

Köppen Climates Humid, Middle-Latitude

Climates with Severe Winters (D)

Subgroups of D climates include:

Subarctic The subarctic climate is found north

of the humid continental climate, and is often referred to as the “taiga”

climate.This climate contains the largest stretch of continuous forests on

Earth, is the source regions of cP air masses, and has frigid winters, with remarkably warm but short summers

Comparison of D-Type Climates

Figure 20.12

Köppen Climates Polar (E) Climates

The mean temperature of a polar climates’ warmest month is below

50ºF.Enduring cold and meager

precipitation characterize this type of climate.

There are two types of polar climates:

Tundra Climate (ET) This treeless climate is almost

exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere.

It has severe winters, cool summers, and a high annual

temperature range.

Köppen Climates Polar (E) Climates

The mean temperature of a polar climates’ warmest month

is below 50ºF.Enduring cold and meager

precipitation characterize this type of climate.

There are two types of polar climates:

Ice Cap Climate (EF) Ice cap climates have no

monthly mean above 32ºF, and have a permanent ice

and snow covering.

Köppen Climates Highland Climates

Highland climates are usually cooler and

wetter than adjacent lowlands.

Highlands have a great diversity of climatic conditions, and are

best described by the terms variety and changeability.

Figure 20.16

Highland Climates

Comparison of E-Type Climates

Figure 20.15