Climate Systems

Question 1

Koppen climate classification

Answer 1

Empirical classification system developed by German climatologist/botanist interested in distribution of vegetation

Based on temperature/precipitation

Question 2

Koppen ABCDE classification

Answer 2

A: tropical = rainforest, monsoon, savanna
B: dry = arid desert, semiarid steppes
C: mesothermal = humid subtropical, marine west coast, mediterranean
D: microthermal = humid continental, subarctic
E: polar and highlands = tundra, ice caps, highlands

Question 3

Koppen second letter classification

Answer 3

B climates
-S for steppe
-W for arid deserts
ACD
-f for moist (no dry season)
-w for dry season in winter
-s for dry season in summer
-m for monsoon-type precipitation (A climate only)

Question 4

Koppen third letter classification

Answer 4

h for hot

k for cold

Question 5

Tropical climates

Answer 5

A
Consistent day length and insolation input
ITCZ –> rains! Unstable air masses
Truly winterless

Rainforest and monsoon, savanna

Question 6

A: rainforest

Answer 6

High annual rainfall with no prolonged dry season (250/365 days with precipitation)

Biome

• 5 layers of trees
• high biomass, very diverse
• straight trunked trees with smooth/thin bark, evergreen

Question 7

A: savanna

Answer 7

Precipitation

• lower total precipitation
• rainfall not evenly distributed
• wet season in summer, longer dry season

Biome

• grass/sparse tree cover
• fires

Question 8

Mesothermal climates

Answer 8

C
True seasonality (insolation, mild winters)
Midlatitudes = air mass conflicts
>50% of world population

Humid subtropical, marine west coast, mediterranean dry summer

Question 9

C: humid subtropical

Answer 9

Japan, South Carolina

• summer monsoon season
• no prolonged dry season

Question 10

C: marine west coast

Answer 10

• Humid and rainy* throughout the year
• maritime air masses, westerly winds, orographic lifting
• cool summers and mild winters

Question 11

C: mediterranean dry summer

Answer 11

70% of precipitation during winter months
Dry summer –> good wine
Continental air mass shifts north, blocks maritime air masses

Question 12

Microthermal climates

Answer 12

D
Higher latitudes, cold winters

Humid continental, subarctic

Question 13

D: humid continental

Answer 13

Significant humidity, but varies according to air masses

New York

Question 14

D: subarctic

Answer 14

More intense seasonal changes

• insolation
• day length
• cold winters

Biome: Taiga

• world’s largest biome
• boreal forest with conifers

Question 15

Polar and Highland

Answer 15

E
High pressure with stable conditions (blue skies but very cold)

Biome: tundra (shrubs, grasses, mosses)
Permafrost

Question 16

Dry climate

Answer 16

B
Subtropical high pressure systems with dry air and permanent moisture deficits
Continental locations (far from m air masses)

Air deserts and semiarid steppes

Question 17

B: arid deserts

Answer 17

Very high temperatures, very low summer precipitation

Question 18

B: semiarid steppes

Answer 18

Around periphery of deserts
Slightly humid winter

Boulder! BSk (Dry steppe cold)