Climate RegionsClimate Regions

Scientists Classify Climate Scientists Classify Climate According to Two Major According to Two Major FactorsFactors

Temperature

Precipitation

Köppen (KEP un) SystemKöppen (KEP un) System

Included distinct vegetation in different areas.

Identifies broad climate regions◦Each has smaller subdivisions

Six Main Climate RegionsSix Main Climate RegionsTropical Rainy

Dry

Temperate Marine

Temperate Continental

Polar

Highlands

Tropical Rainy Tropical Rainy SubdivisionsSubdivisions

Tropical Wet – Always hot and humid; Heavy rainfall; 6 Centimeters per month all year long.

Tropical WetTropical WetRainforest

Tropical Rainy Tropical Rainy SubdivisionsSubdivisions

Tropical Wet - and - Dry – Always hot; Alternating wet and dry seasons; Heavy rainfall in the wet season.

Tropical Wet - DryTropical Wet - DrySavanna – Grassland close to the equator;

120 centimeters of rain per year.

Dry Climate SubdivisionsDry Climate SubdivisionsArid – Arid Regions/Deserts; Less

than 25 centimeters of rain; Hot and Sandy, Cold or Rocky.

Dry Climate SubdivisionsDry Climate SubdivisionsSemi-Arid – Dry; 25-50

centimeters of precipitation per year.

Semi-aridSemi-aridSteppe – prairie or grassland

Temperate Marine Climate Temperate Marine Climate SubdivisionsSubdivisionsMarine West Coast – Mild winters; Cool

summers; Moderate precipitation all year.

Temperate Marine Climate Temperate Marine Climate SubdivisionsSubdivisionsMediterranean – Warm; Dry

summers; Rainy winters.

Temperate Marine Climate Temperate Marine Climate SubdivisionsSubdivisionsHumid Subtropical – Hot

summers; Cool winters

Temperate Continental Temperate Continental Climate SubdivisionsClimate SubdivisionsHumid Continental – Hot, humid summers;

Cold winters; moderate precipitation all year.

Temperate Continental Temperate Continental Climate SubdivisionsClimate SubdivisionsSubarctic – Short, cool summers; Long, cold

winters; Light precipitation mainly in summer.

Polar Climate SubdivisionsPolar Climate SubdivisionsIcecap – Always below freezing

( At or below 0º Celsius).

Polar Climate SubdivisionsPolar Climate SubdivisionsTundra – Always cold; Short, cool

summers; Bitterly cold winters.

In The TundraIn The TundraPermafrost – Permanently frozen

soil; cannot drain… wet and boggy in summer.

HighlandsHighlandsHighlands – Cooler and wetter than

nearby lowlands. (Temperature decreases with altitude)