Köppen Climate Classification (KCC)
Köppen Climate Classification (KCC)
Description
The Köppen climate classification (KCC) is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It is used to denote different climate regions on Earth bsaed on local vegetation.
The Köppen climate classification divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns, which allow for difference vegetation growth. 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 E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation subgroup (the second letter). For example, Af indicates a Tropical rainforest climate. 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 , and D, and the second letter for climates in E . For example, Cfb indicates an Oceanic climate with warm summers as indicated by the ending b. Climates are classified based on specific criteria unique to each climate type.
Main climates
The five main groups are:
- A (tropical),
- B (arid/dry),
- C (warm temperate),
- D (continental/snow), and
- E (polar).
Precipitation:
- W: desert
- S: steppe
- f: fully humid
- s: summer dry
- w: winter dry
- m: monsoonal
Temperature:
- h: hot arid
- k: cold arid
- a: hot summer
- b: warm summer
- c: cool summer
- d: extremely continental
- F: polar frost
- T: polar tundra
Climate Types
Group A: Tropical climates
- Af: Tropical wet climate
- Am: Tropical monsoon climate
- As: Tropical savanna climate (dry summer)
- Aw: Tropical savanna climate (dry winter)
Group B: dry climates
- BWh: Hot desert climate
- BWk: Cold desert climate
- BSh: Hot semi-arid climate
- BSk: Cold semi-arid climate
Group C: Temperate climates
- Cfa: Humid subtropical climate
- Cfb: Temperate oceanic climate
- Cfc: Subpolar oceanic climate
- Cwa: Mosoon influenced humid subtropical climate
- Cwb: Subtropical highland climate
- Cwc: Cold subtropical highland climate
- Csa: Hot-summer Mediterranean climate
- Csb: Warm-summer Mediterranean climate
- Csc: Cold-summer Mediterranean climate
Group D: Continental climates
- Dfa: Hot-summer humid continental climate
- Dfb: Warm-summer Humid Continental Climate
- Dfc: Subarctic climate
- Dfd: Extremely cold subarctic climate
- Dwa: Monsoon influenced hot-summer humid continental climate
- Dwb: Monsoon influenced warm-summer humid continental climate
- Dwc: Monsoon-influenced subarctic climate
- Dwd: Monsoon influenced extremely cold subarctic climate
- Dsa: Mediterranean-influenced hot-summer humid continental climate
- Dsb: Mediterranean-influenced warm-summer humid continental climate
- Dsc: Mediterranean-influenced subarctic climate
- Dsd: Mediterranean-influenced extremely cold subarctic climate
Group E: Polar and alpine climates
- ET: Tundra
- EF: Ice cap climate
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