Theory question 205
ClimateDiscuss the important features of Koppen's climatic classification
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Empirical scheme based on mean monthly/annual temperature and precipitation, with boundaries chosen to match vegetation
Five main groups (capital letters): A – tropical rainy, coolest month above 18°C; B – dry (evaporation exceeds rainfall), BW desert and BS steppe; C – warm temperate, coldest month between 18°C and −3°C; D – cold snow-forest, coldest month below −3°C, warmest above 10°C; E – polar, warmest month below 10°C (ET tundra, EF ice cap)
Second letters for rainfall season: f – wet all year, m – monsoon, s – dry summer, w – dry winter
Third letters for temperature: a – hot summer, b – warm summer, c – cool short summer, d – very cold winter, h – hot dry, k – cold dry
Allows combinations (e.g. Af, Aw, Csa, BWh); advantages – precise and uses both elements; weaknesses – ignores winds, air masses and altitude
Explain the letter system with examples.