GEOGRAPHY

BY : NEETU SINGH

UPSC
MAIN & PRELIMS
KOPPEN'S CLASSIFICATION
2019

This is updated material for Indian Agriculture, targeting

both upcoming Prelims and Main Exams.
Video is attached to provide you with the gist of content.

https://youtu.be/dSkR83avqDc
 Koppen’s Classification
BASIS OF KOPPEN'S CLASSIFICATION
In 1931, one of the most referred climate
classification scheme was presented by Vladimir
Koppen of Germany. His empirical classification
was based on the analysis of annual temperature
and precipitation values. As he was inspired
majorly by De Candolle's vegetative classification
scheme, he incorporated vegetation as also one of
the important basis. In 1936 he added, Altitude as the
final basis for the classification scheme. The scholar
used alphabetical symbol to denote out the types of
climate prevailing in the world. These symbols were
subcategorized into 3 groups precisely to detail out
the characteristics of climate referred for a region.
Temperature has been the most prominent basis of
the classification scheme. Out of the 6 major types of
climates, 4 are based on temperature –
the 'A' type of climate – Tropical;
the 'C' type – subtropical;
the 'D' type - temperate and
the 'E' – polar type of climate.
These categories strongly represent the latitudinal
divide of either hemisphere. Of these, it is 'E' type of
climate which occupies 70° - 90° N & S is entirely
detailed on temperature ground. ET – the tundra type
of climate occupies the arctic coastal fringes,
dominated by cP, mP and cA air masses. Winters are
long and severe. There is a very short mild season
which is not recognized as true summers. However it
is in this mild season that surface ice thawing is
experienced. The major zones of occurrence are
arctic coast of N. America, Greenland coast, Arctic
coast of Eurasia and Antarctica Peninsula. The EF –
Forsted type of climate are the source regions of cA –
cP air masses. These are recognized with vast, high
ice sheets and over Polar Sea, ice of Arctic ocean.
Mean temperature is always below freezing point.
Temperature inversions are strongest. The strong net
radiation deficit in winters at high surface altitudes
intensifies the cold. Precipitation is always as snow,
is small but accumulates as ablation is marginal.
The precipitation values have been used mostly to
1
bring out the details of principal categories of
climate.
'A' type of climate is subcategorized into 3 major
groups based on precipitation amount and
distribution.
Af type of climate is equatorial climate which
occupies the region between 10° N to 10° S. It is
dominated by warm, most maritime equatorial mE
and mT air masses, yielding heavy convectional
rainfall. Rainfall is copious in all the months with
annual total being over 250 cm. Remarkably uniform
temperature prevails throughout the year. The major
regions of occurrence are Amazon lowlands, Congo
basin, upper Guinea and East Indies. Am monsoonal
type of climate occupies tropical east margins. Trade
winds bring maritime tropical air mass from moist
western sides of oceanic high pressure cells leading
to heavy orographic rainfall along the coastal region.
Shower activity is intensified only during high sun
season. Temperatures are warm throughout the year
but with marked annual cycle. The eastern sides of
central and SE Brazil, Caribbean Island,
Medagascar, Indo–China, Penensular India
experiences this climate.
Aw – Savannah type of climate is continental
interiors of tropics. The region experiences only
summer rains with dry winters though amount of rain
is not recognized to be more than 100cm. The
savannah belt of central Africa, Carpentarian plains
of Australia, Llanos of Venezuela, Campos of Brazil
experiences this climate.
The 'C' type of climate also has been sub
categorized into 3 categories.
The Cw type of climate is moist subtropical climate
extending between 30–45°N and S along the east
margins of continent. The mT air mass flowing out
from the moist western sides of oceanic high
pressure cells dominates the climatic conditions.
Summer rains are quite concentrated. Winter
precipitation by the mid latitude cyclones are also
pronounced. Invasion of cP air mass during winters
develops sub freezing conditions. The Northern
Chinese plain, Piedmont (Appalachian) plains,
Shikoku, Kyushu islands of Japan and Uruguay
experiences the climate.
 Koppen’s Classification
Cs – the Mediterranean climate is 30°-45° N and S
along west margins of the continents. This typical
wet winter – dry summer climate results from a
seasonal alternation of pressure effectiveness of
maritime and marginal water body. The mM air mass
effectivity during winters proves the winter
concentrated rains in the region. Elsewhere it is
invading mP air mass that generate cyclonic storms
generating ample rains. In summers, subsiding cT
and mT air masses are dominant causing extreme
drought like conditions. The major regions of
occurrence are central and southern California,
coastal zone bordering Mediterranean Sea, SW
Australia and SW South Africa.
Cf type of climate is marine west coast type of
climate extending between 45°-60° N and S, west
margins of the continents. The on share prevailing
westerlies, frequent cyclonic storms involving the
cool moist mP air mass facilitates the condition. In
this humid climate precipitation is copious in all
months but with typical winter maxima winter
temperatures are very mild compared with inland
locations at equivalent latitudes. The regions with the
climate are western coast of North America (British
Colombia), Western Europe and British Isles,
Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand and Chile.
The 'D' type of climate is the temperate climate in the
latitudinal stretch between 45°-70° N.
Dw type is the moist continental type. It is the zone of
Arctic front seasonal temperature contrasts are
strong, while day weather is highly variable. Ample
precipitation throughout the year is increased in
summer by the invading mT air mass. Cold winters
are dominated by cP and cA air masses. Eastern parts
of US, Northern Canada, Korea, Japan experiences
this climate.
Df type is Taiga/Boreal type. Rainfall is well
distributed throughout the year and this latitudinal
climate zone is continental climate with long cold
winters and short cool summers. This climate
occupies the source region of cP air mass. Major
areas are Northern Eurasia, Northern Canada.
Precipitation has also been taken to be the basis of
one primary class of climate - B type. This dry type of
climate has 2 subclasses.
BW type is the desert type extending in the tropical
west margins and subtropical continental interiors.
Bwh is the source area of cT air mass This subsiding
air mass is stable and dry becoming highly heated at
surface major regions –Sahara, Arabian Iran, Thar
belt, western Australia, Namibia, Atacama and
California. BWk is controlled by cT & cP air masses.
Aridity is also included by the intermontane
characteristics. Central Asia, North western China,
Colombia plateau USA, Patagonia Plateau of
Artgentina are the regions experiencing this climate.
The BS is the Steppe type of climate.Iit is
experienced is the temperate continental interiors
This type of climate is also dry mid latitude climate.
It precisely occupies rain shadow position with
respect to the coastal mountains mP air mass
effectivity is strongly blocked and it is thus occupied
majorly by cP air mass. Summer rain is caused by
sporadic invasions of maritime air mass. Great Plains
of USA, European interiors, Pampas of Argentina,
Veldt, S. Africa and Downs Australia represents the
climate.
Altitude is the 'H' type of climate. It is distinctive
pattern climate as it represents variations with strong
pattern in limited regional extension. The climate of
a given highland area corresponds to the climate of
the latitude. Thus higher latitude and lower latitude
avails most diversity of climatic condition. However
this is influenced by the maritime influence as well
as the sun bearing slope.
https://youtu.be/dSkR83avqDc