World ClimateRachel Fellows(pg. 415-448)

Koppen Classification has been the best-known and most used system for decades in classifying weather.

There are 5 principal climate groups.

Climate Classification

Winterless climates; all months having a mean temperature above 18 degrees Celsius.

Humid Tropical

Climate where evaporation exceeds precipitation and there is a constant water deficiency.

Dry

The average temperature of the coldest month is below 18 degrees Celsius, but above -3 degrees Celsius.

Humid Middle-Latitude; Mild Winters

The average temperature of the coldest month is below -3 degrees Celsius and warmest monthly mean exceeds 10 degrees Celsius.

Humid Middle-Latitude; Severe Winters

Summerless climates; the average temperature of the warmest month is below 10 degrees Celsius.

Polar

Marine Climates: Relatively mild for the given latitude because the moderating effect of water produces summers that are warm but not hot and winters that are cool but not cold.

Continental Climates: Tend to be more extreme. Mean temperatures will be the same, but temperature range will be far greater at the continental station.

Land and Water

Mountains prevent the moderating influence of maritime air masses from reaching far inland.

Mountains also trigger orographic rainfall on their windward slopes, often leaving a dry rain shadow on the leeward side.

Extensive Highlands create their own climatic regions.

Mountains and Highlands

Ocean currents can cause air temperatures to be warmer than would be expected for their latitudes.

Ocean Currents

Climate Video Clips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIUN5ziSfNc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HtxYEfp2tg

The End!