Köppen climate classification

The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal <a href="/facts/Precipitation/uq3nGQc8">precipitation</a> and temperature. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (arid), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). Each group and subgroup is represented by a letter. All climates are assigned a main group (the first letter). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation subgroup (the second letter). For example, Af indicates a <a href="/facts/Tropical_rainforest_climate/vI2p5JFK">tropical rainforest climate</a>. The system assigns a temperature subgroup for all groups other than those in the A group, indicated by the third letter for climates in B, C, D, and the second letter for climates in E. Other examples include: Cfb indicating an <a href="/facts/Oceanic_climate/xUD1y78o">oceanic climate</a> with warm summers as indicated by the ending b., while Dwb indicates a semi-<a href="/facts/Monsoon_continental_climate/hEGERy0F">monsoonal continental climate</a>, also with warm summers. Climates are classified based on specific criteria unique to each climate type.
The Köppen climate classification is the most widely used <a href="/facts/Climate_classification/GPEqmSp2">climate classification</a> scheme. It was first published by German-Russian <a href="/facts/Climate_science/bYS7FktY">climatologist</a> <a href="/facts/Wladimir_K%25C3%25B6ppen/zfC8NKfx">Wladimir Köppen</a> (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notably in 1918 and 1936. Later, German climatologist <a href="/facts/Rudolf_Geiger/ype6u3vu">Rudolf Geiger</a> (1894–1981) introduced some changes to the classification system in 1954 and 1961, which is thus sometimes called the Köppen–Geiger climate classification.
As Köppen designed the system based on his experience as a <a href="/facts/Botanist/PaIRoxnb">botanist</a>, his main climate groups represent a classification by vegetation type. In addition to identifying climates, the system can be used to analyze ecosystem conditions and identify the main types of vegetation within climates. Due to its association with the plant life of a given region, the system is useful in predicting future changes of plant life within that region.
The Köppen climate classification system was modified further within the <a href="/facts/Trewartha_climate_classification/nCe54UfQ">Trewartha climate classification</a> system in 1966 (revised in 1980). The Trewartha system sought to create a more refined <a href="/facts/Middle_latitudes/spJe2FNR">middle latitude</a> climate zone, which was one of the criticisms of the Köppen system (the climate group C was too general).: 200–201

Köppen climate classification open-in-new

Köppen climate classification