Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate| Class 11 Geography Notes

Koppen Scheme of Classification of Climate is a weather classification system that was invented in 1884 by Wladimir Peter Koeppen. In this scheme, Koeppen described the close connection between the climate distribution and the vegetation present on Earth. The classification helps people to understand the nature of the climate, specifically of the Earth with a set of data. This data can consist of the monthly and annual averages of precipitation and temperature of a specific location. Over time, the system and the process of the classification have been improved so many times as per the need.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate in detail.

Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate| Class 11 Geography Notes

Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate

The Köppen climate classification system is one of the most common and efficient systems in the world. It is mainly used to classify the world climate into five groups. The division is based on the temperature, precipitation, and local vegetation. There are five groups in this classification tropical, dry, mild, continental, and polar. Each group is later divided into different types of climates. Each group and their particular subgroup is represented and denoted by a specific letter. Let us discuss this in detail.

• The first letter of the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate indicates the climate group. The second letter is used for the season.
• Type A climates in the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate focus on the seasonality of their precipitation.
• The Köppen classification also includes midlatitude C and D climates.
• These climates are given a second letter in the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate which can be f, w, or s.
• Here F indicates the no dry season, w indicates specifically the winter dry season, and s indicates summer dry.
• The Köppen classification also includes a third symbol. In Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate the third symbols can be a, b, c, or d.
• The last subclass of the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate only exists for D climates. It indicates summer warmth or winter coldness.

Climate Category

The Koeppen climate classification system have the five major climatic types. This each type is designated by a capital letter i.e. A, B, C, D, E, and H.

Group	Letter code
A-Tropical Humid Climate	Af Am Aw
B-Dry Climate	BSh BWh BSk BWk
C-Warm temperate Climates	Cfa Cs Cfb
D-Cold Snow-forest Climates	Df Dw
E-Cold climates	ET EF
H-highland	H

Season Type

The Köppen climate classification system divides climates into five main groups. This division is totally based on the seasonal precipitation and the temperature patterns.

Season Type	Description
f	No dry season
m	Monsoon climate
w	Winter dry season
s	Summer dry season

Temperature Severity

The Köppen climate classification system uses different temperature severity. It helps to indicate the severity of the winter. The small letters a, b, c, and d represent the level of heat. The second letter of the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate indicates the seasonal precipitation type. The third letter of this table indicates only the level of heat.

Temperature Severity	Description
a	Hot
b	Warm
c	Cool
d	Cold

Koeppen Scheme of Classification – Climatic Regions of India

The table below breaks down the Köppen climate classification system in India. It includes the climate type, specific Köppen symbol, and key characteristics to help you understand the Climatic Regions of India in a better way according to Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate.

Climate Type	Code Description	Annual Rainfall
Amw	Monsoon type with short dry winter season	Over the 300 cm
As	Monsoon and rain type with the dry season in the high sun period	75 – 100 cm
Aw	Tropical Savanna type	75 cm
BShw	Semi-arid Steppe type with winter dry season	12 – 25 cm
BWhw	Hot desert type with winter dry season	Less than 12 cm
Cwg	Monsoon type with dry winters	100 – 200 cm
Dfc	Cold, Humid winters type with shorter summer	Approximately 200 cm
Et	Tundra Type	Fluctuates yearly
E	Polar Type	Snow

Significance – Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate

Here are the major signifincances of the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate as mentioned below.

• The Köppen climate classification system sorts climate zones worldwide based on the vegetation found in each area.
• Local vegetation is influenced by two main climate factors: temperature and precipitation.
• Regions with abundant rainfall and higher temperatures typically host forests, while those with limited rainfall often have deserts.
• Understanding the Köppen system is generally straightforward.
• Identifying Köppen climate categories is quite easy.
• The types of vegetation seen in an area correspond to the Köppen climate classification.
• Köppen classification primarily considers temperature and precipitation.
• It notes and analyze all known climate patterns and situations found on Earth.

Advantages of Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate

Here are the major advantages of the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate as mentioned below.

• The Köppen climate classification system matches the vegetation typically found in any area.
• Köppen’s climate classification primarily revolves around two main factors: temperature and precipitation.
• Köppen’s system covers all types of climate patterns and conditions found on Earth due to its extensive scope.

Disadvantages of Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate

Though there are so many advantages, but there are so many disadvantages of the Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate as mentioned below.

• In his Köppen climate classification system, Köppen did not consider air masses and their role in shaping climate, which are significant in climatology.
• The Köppen climate classification system overlooked various features such as cloud cover, temperature fluctuations, rainfall intensity, and the number of rainy days.
• Köppen’s climate classification primarily relies on average values, making it challenging to make comparisons and achieve anticipated results at times.

FAQs – Koeppen Scheme of Classification of Climate

What is the significance of Köppen climate classification?

The Koppen climate classification system has importance pertaining to two major factors, which are temperature and precipitation. The Koppen climate classification system is very vast, so much so that it actually covers all the types of climate patterns as well as conditions that are found on the Earth.

What are the advantages of Koppen classification?

Köppen classification is one of the widely used systems all over the globe. It has number of advantages and limitations. `Some of its advantages are Köppen uses temperature and precipitation as the basis of classification. These are the most visible, sensible and influential elements in atmospheric dynamics.

What is the Köppen scheme based on?

Koppen’s Scheme of Classification of Climate is an empirical classification based on mean annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data. Koeppen recognised five major climatic groups, four of them are based on temperature and one on precipitation.

What are the limitations of Köppen’s classification?

The main limitation of Koppen’s classification is the lack of rational basis for selecting temperature and precipitation values for different climatic zones. Thornthwaite’s (1948) improved the same by introducing water balance concept in his classification scheme.

What is the basis of Köppen’s classification types and characteristics?

Köppen’s classification is based on a subdivision of terrestrial climates into five major types, which are represented by the capital letters A, B, C, D, and E. Each of these climate types except for B is defined by temperature criteria.

What is the history of Koppen climate classification system?

Koeppen’s Classification of climate is the most commonly used classification of climate. This climate classification scheme was developed by Wladimir Peter Koeppen in 1884. He recognized a close relationship between the distribution of vegetation and climate.

What are the basis of Köppen’s classification?

The Köppen Geiger system uses colors and shades to classify the world into five climate zones based on criteria like temperature, which allows for different vegetation growth. The Köppen climate classification system categorizes climate zones throughout the world based on local vegetation.

What is the Köppen climate classification of Rajasthan?

Under the Köppen climate classification the greater part of Rajasthan falls under Hot Desert (BWh) and remaining portions of the state falls under Hot Semi Arid (BSh); the climate of the state ranges from arid to semi-arid. Rajasthan receives low and variable rainfalls and thereby is prone to droughts.

What does the first letter of the Koppen classification system represent?

The first letter (always a capital letter), represents the primary climate type. The second, lower-case letter identifies the precipitation patterns for a location. Finally, the third letter, again in the lower-case, is used to identify the precipitation patterns for that location.