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Geography > Köppen Climate Classification > Flashcards

Köppen Climate Classification Flashcards

1
Q

Tropical Climates (Type A)

A

-Hot and Humid
- Found between 0° and 23.5° latitude (equatorial regions).
- Average monthly temperature remains above 18°C (64°F) throughout the year
- High precipitation due to intense solar heating and rising convection currents

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2
Q

Af - Tropical Rainforest (Equatorial Climate)

A
  • Rainfall occurs throughout the year(no dry season).
    • Annual rainfall often exceeds 2000 mm.
    • Dense vegetation, evergreen forests, and high biodiversity.
    • Example locations: Amazon Rainforest (Brazil), Congo Basin (Africa), Indonesia.
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3
Q

Am - Tropical Monsoon

A
  • Seasonal variation in rainfalldue to monsoons.
    • Short dry season, but overall high rainfall.
    • locations: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand.
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4
Q

Aw/As - Tropical Savanna (Wet-Dry Climate)

A
  • Distinct wet and dry seasons.
    • Aw (Winter Dry) – More common, dry season in winter.
    • As (Summer Dry) – Rare, dry season in summer.
    • Open grasslands with scattered trees (Savanna ecosystem).
    • Example locations: Brazilian Cerrado, African Savanna (Kenya, Tanzania).
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5
Q

Dry Climates (Type B) → Arid and Semi-Arid

A
  • Evaporation exceeds precipitation, resulting in dry conditions.
  • Found in regions from moisture sources (oceans) or in rain shadow areas.
    -deserts and grasslands fall under this category.
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6
Q

BWh - Hot Desert

A
  • Very high temperatures (daytime highs exceed 45°C).
    • Extremely low rainfall (<250 mm/year).
    • Large temperature variations between day and night.
    • Example locations: Sahara Desert (Africa), Thar Desert (India), Arabian Desert.
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7
Q

BWk - Cold Desert

A
  • Colder winters, but still arid conditions.
    • Example locations: Gobi Desert (China/Mongolia), Great Basin (USA).
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8
Q

BSh - Hot Semi-Arid (Steppe)

A
  • More rainfall than deserts but still dry.
    • Supports grasslands and sparse vegetation.
    • Example locations: Sahel (Africa), Central India, Australia. -
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9
Q

BSk - Cold Semi-Arid (Steppe)

A
  • Found in higher latitudes, colder winters.
    • Example locations: Great Plains (USA), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Mongolia).
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10
Q

Temperate Climates (Type C) → Mild Winters, Seasonal Variability

A
  • Found 25° and 40° latitude, mainly along coastlines.
  • Experience four distinct seasons
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11
Q

Cfa - Humid Subtropical

A
  • Hot, humid summers and mild winters.
    • Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.
    • Example locations: Southeastern USA (Florida, Georgia), China, Argentina.
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12
Q

Cfb - Marine West Coast

A
  • Cool summers, mild winters, rainfall all year.
    • Influenced by ocean currents and westerlies.
    • Example locations: Western Europe (UK, France, Germany), New Zealand, Canada (Vancouver).
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13
Q

Cs - Mediterranean

A
  • Dry, hot summers and mild, rainy winters.
    • Vegetation: Olive trees, vineyards, and scrubland.
    • Example locations: Spain, Italy, California (USA), South Africa (Cape Town)
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14
Q

Continental Climates (Type D) → Severe Winters, High Temperature Variation

A
  • Found between 40° and 60° latitude, mostly in interior continents.
  • Large differences between summer and winter temperatures.
  • More extreme seasonal variations than temperate climates.
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15
Q

Dfa/Dfb - Humid Continental

A
  • Hot summers, cold winters.
    • More precipitation than subarctic regions.
    • Example locations: Midwest USA (Chicago, New York), Russia (Moscow), China (Harbin)
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16
Q

Dfc/Dfd - Subarctic (Taiga Climate)

A
  • Very long, harsh winters (temps below −40°C in winter).
    • Short, cool summers.
    • Dominated by coniferous forests (Taiga biome).
    • Example locations: Siberia (Russia), Canada (Yukon, Quebec), Alaska.
17
Q

Polar Climates (Type E) → Extremely Cold, Minimal Precipitation

A
  • Found in high-latitude polar regions (above 66.5° N/S).
  • Low precipitation but permanent ice and snow cover.
  • Minimal vegetation, only mosses and lichens.
18
Q

ET - Tun

A
  • Short, cool summers and extremely cold winters.
    • Example locations: Greenland coast, Arctic Canada, Arctic Russia.
19
Q

EF - Ice Cap

A
  • Always below freezing (0°C).
    • No vegetation, only permanent ice and snow.
    • Example locations: Antarctica, Greenland interior, Arctic Ocean.
20
Q

Additional Category: Highland Climates (Type H) → Mountain Climat

A
  • Not part of Köppen’s original system but added later.
  • Found in high-altitude regions where climate changes with elevation.
  • Temperature decreases with height (lapse rate: 6.5°C per 1000m).
  • Example locations:
    • Himalayas (India, Nepal, Tibet)
    • Andes (South America)
    • Alps (Europe)
    • Rocky Mountains (USA/Canada)

Geography (11 decks)

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