V. Köppen
INTRODUCTION
The Köppen Climate Classification
System is a very complex system that classifies climate types
based on a variety of variables. Basically it works as a matrix
in which the user starts with some specific data and then applies
this data to various parameters within the Köppen model.
As the user sifts through the matrix the ultimate outcome is a
two or three letter classification connoting, amongst other things
the over all type of climate it is, the type of seasonal concentration
of precipitation it has, and the its temperature parameter.
Thus, keeping to the idea of a matrix, I have taken a simplified
model of the Köppen system developed by R. Gabbler, R. Sager,
and D. Wise, found in the text, Essentials of Physical Geography,
1999, and have adapted this to a series of hyperlinked web pages.
There are a number of pages associated with the whole site, which
contain links that allow the user to step from one classification
characteristic to another and ultimately arriving at a complete
classification of the climate.
For further information on climate see the Climate
Resource Page.
About Geography (Koppen)
What is the Köppen Climate
Classification System?
The Köppen Climate Classification
system is a model which helps in the identification and understanding
the nature of various kinds of climates. It is based around letters
which define broad areas of climates. These major letters are:
Note: A highland (mountain) climate is also a part of this system which is part of this classification model.
V. Köppen
Who was Vladimir Köppen?
Vlad. Köppen was a Russian botanist who developed this climate classification system in the late 1800s - 1930s. Although it has been
modified many times since then, the basis of what the system represents is still an acceptable approach to classifying
climates today. Perhaps the most important aspect of this for the student of liberal studies is found in Köppen's ability to draw from a wide range of sciences such as meteorology, climatology, botany and geography in order to synthesize a classification system into an instrument of practical as well as academic value. It is also interesting to note that Köppen's father was a well known geographer and historian.....so he grew up in an atmopshere of science. What might you expect from his daughter Else? Köppen's son-in-law.......is Alfred Wegener the meteorlogist who first proposed the notion of continental drift.
*According
to the Köppen system there are TWO SEASONS;
Summer and Winter. Summer is April May June July August September
and Winter is January February March and October, November, and
December. A concentration of precipitation is defined as
70% of the total precipitation
for the year falling in
either Summer or Winter. For example, if you have 30% of the total
precipitation of a station falling in summer, thus you must have
70% falling in winter, (30%+70%=100%) so consequently, according
to Köppen, this station is defined as having a Winter Concentration of
precipitation.
Reading Data
NOTE: DO NOT CONFUSE
THE UNITS. IF YOU START A CLASSIFICATION OFF IN ENGLISH UNITS
KEEP TO THAT SYSTEM OF UNITS.
ALSO REMEMBER IF YOU CLASSIFY CLIMATES IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
SEASONS ARE OPPOSITE THAT OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE.
Normally you would obtain data from
any climatic data source, for example. Ultimately what you might
have is a chart that looks something like this:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °C | 1.3 | 4.5 | 8.1 | 11.4 | 15.4 | 19.7 | 23.1 | 22.5 | 17.5 | 11.7 | 5.8 | 1.7 | 11.9 |
| °F | 34.3 | 40.1 | 46.6 | 52.5 | 59.7 | 67.5 | 73.6 | 72.5 | 63.5 | 53.1 | 42.4 | 35.1 | 53.4 |
These are the AVERAGE temperatures for each month at Milton Freewater, Oregon in both °C and °F. The average total for the year is calculated at the end of the chart on the right under Year. The above information is for temperature, but for Köppen's Classification you will also need precipitation. Those data might look something like this:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm | 40.3 | 31.4 | 35.0 | 34.1 | 34.1 | 28.7 | 10.7 | 14.0 | 21.5 | 29.0 | 45.2 | 43.5 | 368.5 |
| inches | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 14.5 |