Koppen Climate Classification System Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What is the Koppen climate classification system?

A system for classifying the world's climates based on temperature, precipitation, and native vegetation.

What are the characteristics of A climates (Tropical humid climates)?

  • Found near 15-20 N and S
  • Never freezes
  • Coolest month must be warmer than 64.4F
  • All of the above (correct)

    • What does 'Af' stand for in the Koppen classification?

    Tropical Wet

    What is the definition of 'Am' in Koppen climate classification?

    <p>Tropical Monsoon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Aw' indicate in the Koppen classification?

    <p>Tropical Savanna</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the characteristics of B climates?

    <p>Low relative humidity, no clouds, high diurnal temperature range.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'BW' in Koppen classification stand for?

    <p>Subtropical Desert</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'BS' represent in Koppen climate classification?

    <p>Subtropical Steppe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are C climates?

    <p>Humid (mild) Mid-Latitude Climates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Cfa' represent in climate classification?

    <p>Humid Subtropical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of 'Cfb' in the Koppen classification?

    <p>Marine West Coast</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Cs' denote in Koppen climate classification?

    <p>Mediterranean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of C climates?

    <p>Modest precipitation falls in winter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of D climates?

    <p>Only occur in the Northern Hemisphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Dfa' stand for in Koppen classification?

    <p>Humid Continental</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes 'Dfc' in climate classification?

    <p>Sub-Arctic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are E climates in the Koppen classification?

    <p>Polar Climates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'ET' stand for?

    <p>Tundra Climate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the EF climate?

    <p>Ice cap climate with no month having an average temperature above 32.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the EF climate?

    <p>Ice cap.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Highland climates characterized by?

    <p>High diurnal temperature range.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Koppen Climate Classification System

    • A system for classifying global climates based on temperature, precipitation, and natural vegetation
    • Uses annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation to categorize climates

    A Climates (Tropical Humid Climates)

    • Located near 15-20° N and S latitude
    • Characterized by never freezing temperatures
    • The coolest month has temperatures above 64.4°F

    Af (Tropical Wet)

    • Consistently moist year-round with rainfall throughout each month
    • Experience similar weather daily with warm temperatures and minimal annual temperature variation

    Am (Tropical Monsoon)

    • Influenced by monsoons with a short dry season
    • Experienced heavy rainfall during summer months

    Aw (Tropical Savanna)

    • Exhibits a pronounced dry winter period
    • Receives less rainfall compared to Af and Am classifications

    Characteristics of B Climates

    • Defined by low relative humidity and lack of cloud cover
    • Features a high diurnal temperature range
    • Classified based on precipitation rather than temperature

    BW (Subtropical Desert)

    • Characterized by scarce and unreliable rainfall
    • Receives less than 15 inches of precipitation annually
    • Average temperature exceeds 64.4°F, found in low and mid-latitude regions

    BS (Subtropical Steppe)

    • Also classified as dry, primarily consists of steppe regions

    C Climates (Humid Mild Mid-Latitude Climates)

    • Characterized by relatively mild winters
    • Experiences long hot summers and short, mild winters

    Cfa (Humid Subtropical)

    • Mild mid-latitude climate with no dry season
    • Summer temperatures exceed 71.6°F, almost tropical in nature

    Cfb (Marine West Coast)

    • Mid-latitude climate with no significant dry season
    • Warm summers, but the warmest month remains below 71.6°F
    • Dominated by maritime polar (mP) air masses

    Cs (Mediterranean)

    • Mild mid-latitude climate with distinct summer dry season
    • Characterized by drought in cooler months, typically found on the western sides of continents

    Characteristics of C Climates

    • Modest winter precipitation with warmest months above 71.6°F
    • Summers feature clear skies and abundant sunshine

    D Climates (Severe Mid-Latitude)

    • Occur only in the Northern Hemisphere, between 40-70° N
    • Characterized by four distinct seasons

    Dfa (Humid Continental)

    • Mid-latitude climate with severe winters and no dry season
    • Summers characterized by average monthly temperatures exceeding 71°F

    Dfc (Sub-Arctic)

    • Mid-latitude climate with severe winters and no dry period
    • Summers cool, with temperatures above 50°F for 1-4 months

    E Climates (Polar Climates)

    • These climates lack true summers; can be further classified into ET (Tundra) and EF (Ice Cap)

    ET (Tundra Climate)

    • Polar climate characterized by the absence of a true summer

    EF (Ice Cap Climate)

    • Polar climate with no month averaging above 32°F
    • Characterized by complete lack of vegetation

    EF Climate

    • Identified as an ice cap; classified as a polar desert
    • Receives less than 5 inches of precipitation annually, with extremely cold air

    Highland Climates

    • Climates not initially indicated by the Köppen system
    • Found at various elevations with a high diurnal temperature range

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    Description

    Learn about the Koppen climate classification system through these handy flashcards. This system organizes the world's climates based on temperature, precipitation, and vegetation. Understand the different climate types, especially Tropical humid climates, and their characteristics.

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