مادة التحكم البيئي / الجامعه الاردنيه /صيفي 2015 Köppen climate classification is a widely used vegetation-based empirical climate classification system developed by German botanist-climatologist Wladimir Köppen. It's based on the idea that climate is best defined by native vegetation. The formulas used in the classification correspond to those of the vegetation zones (biomes) that were being mapped for the first time in the late 19th century. It was first published in 1884 and was revised until 1940 with collaboration by German climatologist Rudolf Geiger

1. Najdat Mamoon Hazaimh
0141382
DR.Abd Al-salam Shbool
Köppen climate classification is a widely used
vegetation-based empirical climate classification
system developed by German botanist-climatologist
Wladimir Köppen. It's based on the idea that climate is
best defined by native vegetation. The formulas used
in the classification correspond to those of the
vegetation zones (biomes) that were being mapped
for the first time in the late 19th century. It was first
published in 1884 and was revised until 1940 with
collaboration by German climatologist Rudolf Geiger
Köppen Climate
Classification
System

2. Introduction
Although now over 100 years old, the classification
of climate originally formulated by Wladimir Koppen ¨
and modified by his collaborators and successors, is still in
widespread use. It is widely used in teaching school and
undergraduate courses on climate. It is also still in regular
use by researchers across a range of disciplines as a basis
for climatic regionalisation of variables and for assessing the
output of global climate models. Here we have produced a
new global map of climate using the Koppen-Geiger system ¨
based on a large global data set of long-term monthly precipitatio
and temperature station time series.

3. Wladimir Köppen:
Wladimir Köppen, (born September 25, 1846, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire—died
June 22, 1940, Graz, Austria), German meteorologist and climatologist best known for
his delineation and mapping of the climatic regions of the world. He played a major role
in the advancement of climatology and meteorology for more than 70 years. His
achievements, practical and theoretical, profoundly influenced the development of
atmospheric science.
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification
systems. It was developed by Wladimir Köppen, a German climatologist, around 1900
(with several further modifications by himself, notably in 1918 and 1936). It is based on
the concept that native vegetation is the best expression of climate, thus climate zone
boundaries have been selected with vegetation distribution in mind.
The Köppen Climate Classification System is a empirical system based on observable
features. Other systems are either "genetic" classification systems (based on the causes
of the climate like solar radiation, air masses, pressure systems, etc. ) or "applied"
classification systems created for, or as an outgrowth of, a particular climate-associated
problem. (e.g., Thornthwaite classification system based on potential
evapotranspiration.
The Köppen system classifies a location’s climate mainly using annual and monthly
averages of temperature and precipitation.
A version of the Köppen system is plotted on a map in Figure 1 (see link for high
resolution version).

4. A major achievement in geographical climatology was reached in 1900 when Köppen
introduced his mathematical system of climatic classification. Each of five major climate
types was assigned a mathematical value according to temperature and rainfall. Since
then, many of the systems introduced by other scholars have been based on Köppen’s
work.

5. köppen climate classification:
Though vegetation helps us classify the major climate types on Earth, we tend to
describe them in terms of temperature and humidity. The classifications start at the
equator and work their way outward, all the way to the Polar Regions. And to make it
easy, the classifications are just letters of the alphabet. The first is A, which is along the
equator, then B, C, D and finally E at the Polar Regions. It should be noted that the
highland climate (H) is also included here.
Group A, Tropical Moist Climates:
our first climate classification, is also known as 'humid tropical.'
This is what you would expect at the equator - a warm, wet
climate. Temperatures here stay pretty warm all year round
(summer is the only season here!), and we also find the world's
rainforests in this region, like the Amazon (you could even think of
Group A for Amazon).
The primary distinguishing characteristic of these climates is all
months have average temperatures above 18°C (64°F).
Group B, Dry Climates:
is the next climate classification, one step away from the equator
both north and south. This is also known as the 'dry' group
because there is little moisture in the air here. Not surprisingly,
we find the world's great deserts in this region, like the Sahara in
Africa and the Great Victoria in Australia, so you could even think
of Group B as the 'barren' group. Like Group A, temperatures also
stay fairly constant in this region, with little seasonal change
throughout the year.
((These are climates that experience little precipitation during
most of the year. Further, potential losses of water from
evaporation and transpiration greatly exceed atmospheric input.))

6. Group C, Moist Mid-latitude Climates with Mild Winters:
is our next classification, now two steps away from the equator.
This group is also known as the 'humid middle latitude with mild
winters' region. So, think of Group C for 'cold' since these regions
do have winters (unlike Groups A and B). It's called humid
because there's moisture in the air, middle latitude because it is
about mid-way between the equator and the polar region (either
north or south) and mild winters because while it may get cold
and snowy, they are still fairly tolerable conditions. These areas
have wonderful seasonal changes and occur in places like the
central U.S., southern Europe and central South America .
The primary distinguishing characteristic of these climates is the coldest month has an
average temperature between 18°C (64°F) and -3°C (27°F).
Group D, Moist Mid-Latitude Climates with Cold Winters:
is our second to last classification, so we're getting pretty close
to the poles now. You can think of these regions as Group D for
'darn cold!' because the winters are much more severe than in
Group C. This group is also known as the 'humid middle latitude
with severe winters' region. While closer to the poles, we're still
in somewhat middle latitudes here, and the air is still moist, but
man, these winters really are cold! Think of places like northern
Canada and Siberia and you'll likely understand why these get
the 'severe winter' classification.
The primary distinguishing characteristic of these climates is
the average temperature of warmest month exceeds 10°C (50°F), and average
temperature of coldest is below -3°C (27°F).

7. Group E, Polar Climates:
You can't go any farther than the poles! Like Group A, there's no
seasonal change here but on quite the opposite end of the
spectrum.
These climates have very cold winters and summers, with no
real summer season. The primary distinguishing characteristic of
these climates is the warmest month has an average
temperature below 10°C (50°F)
Group H, Highland Climates:
These are climates that are strongly influenced by the effects
of altitude. As a result, the climate of such locations is rather
different from places with low elevations at similar latitudes.

8. Secondary Köppen Climate Categories:
At the secondary level, the major climate groups are further subdivided according to the
seasonal distribution of precipitation, the degree of aridity, or the presence/absence of
permanent ice.
Lowercase letters f, w, and s are used to distinguish precipitation patterns and are only
applicable to A, C, and D climates.Thus, for example, within the major climate category,
A - Tropical Moist Climates, are the subcategories:
Af – Tropical Wet
Aw – Tropical Wet and Dry
Am – Tropical Monsoon
Uppercase W and S identify desert (arid) or steppe (semiarid) climate subtypes for the
Dry Climates (B) major category. Thus:
BW - Dry Arid (Desert)
BS - Dry Semiarid (Steppe)
For the Polar Climates (E), the secondary letters F and T distinguish whether the site is
covered by permanent ice fields and glaciers or free of snow and ice during the summer
season. Thus:
ET - Polar Tundra
EF - Polar Ice Cap
Major climate types B, C, and D can be further sorted according to a third category. This
level is used to distinguish particular temperature characteristics found in these
climates.

9. In B climates, the lowercase letter h identifies a subtropical location where average
annual temperature is above 18°C (64°F). Cooler mid-latitude Dry Climates are
distinguished with a lowercase k. Thus:
BWh – Dry Arid Low Latitudes
BWk – Dry Arid Mid-Latitudes
For C and D climates the tertiary level letters a, b, c, and d are used to distinguish
different monthly temperature characteristics. Thus:
Cfa – Humid Subtropical
Cfb - Marine - Mild Winter
Cfc - Marine - Cool Winter

10. The Complete Köppen Climates:
Af
Tropical Wet No dry season. The driest month has at least 60 mm
(2.4") of rain. Rainfall is generally evenly distributed
throughout the year. All average monthly temperatures
are greater than 18°C (64°F).
Am
Tropical
Monsoonal
Pronounced wet season. Short dry season. There are
one or more months with less than 60 mm (2.4"). All
average monthly temperatures are greater than 64°F
(18°C). Highest annual temperature occurs just prior
to the rainy season.
Aw
Tropical Wet &
Dry
Winter dry season. There are more than two months
with less than 60 mm (2.4") . All average monthly
temperatures are greater than 18°C (64°F).
BSh
Subtropical Dry
Semiarid (Steppe
Low-latitude dry. Evaporation exceeds precipitation on
average but is less than potential evaporation. Average
temperature is more than 18°C (64°F).
BSk
Mid-latitude Dry
Semiarid (Steppe)
Mid-latitude dry. Evaporation exceeds precipitation on
average but is less than potential evaporation. Average
temperature is less than 18°C (64°F).

11. BWh
Subtropical Dry
Arid (Desert)
Low-latitude desert. Evaporation exceeds precipitation
on average but is less than half potential evaporation.
Average temperature is more than 18°C (64°F). Frost is
absent or infrequent.
BWk
Mid-latitude Dry
Arid (Desert)
Mid-latitude desert. Evaporation exceeds precipitation
on average but is less than half potential evaporation.
Average temperature is less than 18°C (64°F). Winter
has below freezing temperatures.
Cfa
Humid
Subtropical
Mild with no dry season, hot summer. Average
temperature of warmest months are over 22°C (72°F).
Average temperature of coldest month is under
18°C (64°F). Year around rainfall but highly variable.
Cfb
Marine - Mild
WInter
Mild with no dry season, warm summer. Average
temperature of all months islower than 22°C (72°F). At
least four months with average temperatures over 50°F
(10°C). Year around equally spread rainfall.
Cfc
Marine - Cool
Winter
Mild with no dry season, cool summer. Average
temperature of all months islower than 22°C (72°F).
There are one to three months with average
temperatures over 50°F (10°C). Year around equally

12. spread rainfall.
Csa
Interior
Mediterranean
Mild with dry, hot summer. Warmest month has
average temperature more than 72°F (22°C). At least
four months with average temperatures over 50°F
(10°C). Frost danger in winter. At least three times as
much precipitation during wettest winter months as in
the driest summer month.
Csb
Coastal
Mediterranean
Mild with cool, dry summer. No month with average
temperature of warmest months are over 22°C (72°F).
At least four months with average temperatures over
50°F (10°C). Frost danger in winter. At least three
times as much precipitation during wettest winter
months as in the driest summer month.
Cwa
Dry Winter, Wet
Summer
Mild with dry winter, hot and wet summer.
Dfa
Humid
Continental Hot
Summer, Wet All
Year
Humid with hot summer.

13. Dfb
Humid
Continental Mild
Summer, Wet All
Year
Humid with severe winter, no dry season, warm
summer.
Dfc
Subarctic With
Cool Summer,
Wet All Year
Severe winter, no dry season, cool summer.
Dfd
Subarctic With
Cold WInter, Wet
All Year
Severe, very cold winter, no dry season, cool summer.
Dwa
Humid
Continental Hot
Summer, Wet All
Year
Humid with severe, dry winter, hot summer.
Dwb
Humid
Continental Mild
Summer, Dry
Winter
Humid with severe, dry winter, warm summer.

14. Dwc
Subarctic With
Cool Summer,
Dry Winter
Severe, dry winter, cool summer.
Dwd
Subarctic With
Cold Winter, Dry
WInter
Severe, very cold and dry winter, cool summer.
ET Tundra Polar tundra, no true summer.
EF Ice Cap Perennial ice.
Highland Climate Can encompass any of the above classifications due to
the mountainous terrain

15. Köppen Maps
Asia
Africa

16. Australia
North America

17. South America
Europe and Middle East

18. References:
1. Aguado, E. and James E. Burt. 2010. Understanding Weather and Climate.
2. Ahrens, C. D. 2006. Meteorology Today. An Introduction to Weather, Climate,
and the Environment.
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/162263/
http://www.britannica.com/science/Koppen-climate-classification
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Wladimir-Peter-Koppen
http://sos.noaa.gov/Datasets/dataset.php?id=426
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen