Download 3-24-16 Thursday 14.2 Koppen Classification System power point

Objectives:
*Describe the criteria used to classify
climates.
*Compare and contrast different climates.
*Explain and give examples of
microclimates.
Main Idea:
Climates are categorized according to
the average temperatures and
precipitation amounts.
Get the papers from the microbes lab out.
 Also, get a copy of the accountable talk
STEM off of the stool. Start familiarizing
yourself with it.
 We’ll start out with class discussion about
any succession we have observed in the
pond water micro-ecosystems.
 Key point to ponder: Why did some of the
ecosystems never have moving organisms
while others did… Even though they came
from the same source of water?
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Classification system for climates
Based on average monthly values of
temperature and precipitation
Developed by German climatologist
Wladimir Koppen.
System takes into account distinct
vegetation found in different climates
Koppen’s classification system is made up
of five main divisions based on
temperateure and precipitation.
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Year-round high temperatures
Wet climates can have up to 600 cm of rain
each year
Almost continually under the influence of
maritime tropical air
The areas that border the rainy tropics to the
north and south of the equator are transition
zones, known as the tropical wet and dry
zones.
These areas have distinct dry winter seasons
as a result of the occasional influx of dry air
masses.
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Covers about 30% of the earth
Largest climatic zone
Continental tropical air dominates
Precipitation is low
Vegetation is scarce
Two types  Arid regions called deserts,
and Semiarid regions called semideserts.
Semideserts are usually more humid than
deserts. They generally separate arid
regions from bordering wet climates.
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Mild climates can be classified into three subtypes;
humid subtropical climates, marine west-coast
climates, and Mediterranean climates.
Humid subtropical climates are influenced by the
subtropical high-pressure systems that are normally
found over oceans in the summer.
The marine west-coast climates are dominated by
the constant inland flow of air off the ocean.
Summers in Mediterranean climates are generally
warm and dry because of their nearness to the dry
midlatitude climates from the south. Winters are cool
and rainy as a result of the midlatitude weather
systems that bring storm systems from the north.
Three subtypes
1. Warm summer climates
2. Cool summer climates
3. Subarctic climates
 Tropical and polar air masses often form
fronts where they meet in continental
climates.
 Thus, these zones experience rapid and
sometimes violent changes in weather,
including sever thunderstorms or tornadoes.
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To the north of the subarctic climate lies one
of the polar climates – the tundra.
 The tundra is known for its low temperatures.
There are no trees in the tundra and
precipitation is generally low.
 The ice-cap polar climate, found at the
highest latitudes in both hemispheres, does
not have a single month in which average
temperatures rise above 0 degree celcius.
 A variation of the polar climate, called a
highland climate, is found at high
elevations.
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A localized climate that differs from the
main regional climate is called a
microclimate.
 Example: Heat islands
 Many concrete buildings and large
expanses of asphalt can create a heat
island, where the climate is warmer than
in surrounding rural areas.
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