What three factors do scientists use to classify climates?
Temperature, precipitation, and vegetation
Who developed the system to classify climates?
Wladimir Koppen
What is a climate graph (climograph)?
A graph that shows average temperature and precipitation for an area
Are there clear boundaries marking where one climate region ends and another begins?
No; each region blends gradually into the next
What are the six main climate regions?
Tropical rainy, dry, temperate marine, temperate continental, polar, and highlands
What are two types of tropical rainy climates?
Tropical wet and tropical wet-and-dry
What is a rainforest?
A forest in which large amounts of rain are common year round
What are characteristics of a tropical wet climate?
There are many rainy days and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. It is hot year round. Vegetation is lush and green.
What are characteristics of a tropical wet-and-dry climate?
They get slightly less rain than tropical wet climates. They have distinct dry and rainy seasons. They have tropical grasslands called savannas.
What are two types of dry climates?
Semiarid and arid
What is a savanna?
Tropical grasslands
What is a steppe?
Semiarid areas on the edges of deserts. They are dry but get enough rainfall for short grasses and low bushes to grow.
What kind of landscape would you expect to find in an arid climate?
A desert
What are three types of temperate marine climates?
Humid subtropical, marine west coast, and Mediterranean
What are temperate marine climates like?
Humid with mild winters
What are two types of temperate continental climates?
Humid continental and subarctic
