page_title: Köppen climate classification
hierarchical_section_title: Köppen climate classification
caption_attribution_description: English&#x3a;&#32; Köppen–Geiger climate classification map.Français&#x202f;&#x3a;&#32; Carte de classification climatique de Köppen–Geiger. Legend of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification &#160; &#91;&#160;view &#124; edit&#160;&#93; Tropical Arid (dry) Temperate Cold (continental) Polar &#160;&#160;Af &#160;&#160;Am &#160;&#160;BWh &#160;&#160;BWk &#160;&#160;Csa &#160;&#160;Cwa &#160;&#160;Cfa &#160;&#160;Dsa &#160;&#160;Dsb &#160;&#160;Dwa &#160;&#160;Dwb &#160;&#160;Dfa &#160;&#160;Dfb &#160;&#160;ET &#160;&#160;Aw &#160;&#160;As &#160;&#160;BSh &#160;&#160;BSk &#160;&#160;Csb &#160;&#160;Csc &#160;&#160;Cwb &#160;&#160;Cwc &#160;&#160;Cfb &#160;&#160;Cfc &#160;&#160;Dsc &#160;&#160;Dsd &#160;&#160;Dwc &#160;&#160;Dwd &#160;&#160;Dfc &#160;&#160;Dfd &#160;&#160;EF
context_page_description: The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by the German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notably in 1918 and 1936. Later, the climatologist Rudolf Geiger introduced some changes to the classification system, which is thus sometimes called the Köppen–Geiger climate classification system.
  The Köppen climate classification divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A, B, C, D, and E. Each group and subgroup is represented by a letter. All climates are assigned a main group. All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation subgroup. For example, Af indicates a tropical rainforest climate. The system assigns a temperature subgroup for all groups other than those in the A group, indicated by the third letter for climates in B, C, and D, and the second letter for climates in E. For example, Cfb indicates an oceanic climate with warm summers as indicated by the ending b.
context_section_description: The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by the German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notably in 1918 and 1936. Later, the climatologist Rudolf Geiger introduced some changes to the classification system, which is thus sometimes called the Köppen–Geiger climate classification system.
  The Köppen climate classification divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). Each group and subgroup is represented by a letter. All climates are assigned a main group (the first letter). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation subgroup (the second letter). For example, Af indicates a tropical rainforest climate. The system assigns a temperature subgroup for all groups other than those in the A group, indicated by the third letter for climates in B, C, and D, and the second letter for climates in E. For example, Cfb indicates an oceanic climate with warm summers as indicated by the ending b. Climates are classified based on specific criteria unique to each climate type.
  As Köppen designed the system based on his experience as a botanist, his main climate groups are based on what types of vegetation grow in a given climate classification region. In addition to identifying climates, the system can be used to analyze ecosystem conditions and identify the main types of vegetation within climates. Due to its link with the plant life of a given region, the system is useful in predicting future changes in plant life within that region.
  The Köppen climate classification system has been further modified, within the Trewartha climate classification system in the middle 1960s (revised in 1980). The Trewartha system sought to create a more refined middle latitude climate zone, which was one of the criticisms of the Köppen system (the C climate group was too broad).
caption: An updated Köppen–Geiger climate map[1]                       Af   Am   Aw/As     BWh   BWk   BSh   BSk     Csa   Csb   Csc     Cwa   Cwb   Cwc     Cfa   Cfb   Cfc     Dsa   Dsb   Dsc   Dsd     Dwa   Dwb   Dwc   Dwd     Dfa   Dfb   Dfc   Dfd     ET   EF
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