In this activity, we will explore the world’s climatic regions. Climate classifications, for example the Köppen climate classification, are based on empirical data such as monthly and annual averages of temperature and precipitation. The Köppen climate classification, and several systems modified from it, recognize five major climatic types (tropical, dry, moist midlatitude mild winters, moist midlatitude cold winters, and polar). These are further subdivided into more refined subcategories. After completing this activity you should be able to:
Identify the major climate categories and subcategories of Earth.
Locate them on a world map.
Explain the temperature and moisture criteria used to define these categories and subcategories.
In North America, which of the following climate zones fall within areas that primarily average between 40 and 59 inches of precipitation annually or higher?
a. Humid subtropical, moist all year, hot summer (Cfa)
b. Tropical, subtropical hot desert (BWh)
c. Humid continental, hot summer (Dfa, Dwa, Dsa)
d. Midlatitude cold steppe (BSk)
e. Subarctic, cool summer (Dfc, Dwc, Dsc)
