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Chapter 13: Global climate A world with many climates Climatic classification - the Köppen system The global pattern of climate A world with many climates Global temperatures controls on climate: - intensity of sunshine and its variation with latitude - distribution of land and water - ocean currents - prevailing winds - location of high and low pressure areas - mountain barriers - altitude ‘bending’ of isotherms near continents Global precipitation relationship to areas of rising and sinking air influence of ITCZ influence of orographic uplift and rain shadows • Precipitation is most abundant where air rises, and least abundant where it sinks. Climatic classification - the Köppen system Climatic classification - the Köppen system Tropical moist climates dry climates moist midlatitude climates with mild winters moist midlatitude climates with severe winters polar climates criticisms of the Köppen climate classification system • The Köppen climate classification system was first published in 1918. The global pattern of climate The global pattern of climate Major features of Earth’s climate distribution local variations within larger climate regions Tropical moist climates (Group A) tropical wet (Af) • Tropical rain forests and monsoons are included in this category Tropical moist climates (Group A) tropical monsoon (Am) Tropical moist climates (Group A) tropical wet and dry (Aw) Dry climates (Group B) arid (BW) • Deserts and steppes are included in this category Dry climates (Group B) semiarid (BS) Moist subtropical mid-latitude climates (Group C) humid subtropical (CfA) • Hot, muggy summers and relatively mild winters are typical of this category Moist subtropical mid-latitude climates (Group C) marine (CfB) Moist subtropical mid-latitude climates (Group C) Mediterranean (Cs) Moist continental climates (Group D) humid continental with hot summers (Dfa) • This category is sometimes referred to as a Mediterranean climate Moist continental climates (Group D) humid continental with cool summers (Dfb) Moist continental climates (Group D) subpolar (Dfc) Polar climates (Group E) polar tundra (ET) • This climate is not necessarily found at in the polar regions; it is sometimes found at high altitudes. There, however, it is called a Highland climate (Group H). Polar climates (Group E) polar ice caps (EF) Highland climates (Group H) altitude effects are similar to latitude effects