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Climate Classification and Controls

Learn about the climate classification methodology and the key variables that control climate, including temperature and precipitation. Explore the influences of latitude, continental location, altitude, and air masses on temperature and precipitation. Understand the Koeppen system of climate classification and its modifications.

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Climate Classification and Controls

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  1. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (1 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University Further Reading: Chapter 09 of the text book Outline - climate controls - temperature and precipitation influences - climate classification methodology

  2. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (2 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University GG101, Part I (L02-L11) General context/physical geography Global radiation and energy system Temperature regimes and temperature cycles Part II (L12-L22) Focus on the dynamics/processes associated with weather and general circulation Global pressure and wind patterns, ocean circulation, etc. Clouds, winds, fronts, air masses, etc… Part III (L23-L31) Global climates and geographic distribution of climates (4 Lectures) Climate Change (5 Lectures) Where are we now?

  3. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (3 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University Introduction • Climate • Long term average weather conditions at a given location - averages and variations at different time scales • Climate Controls • The key variables we usually consider when talking about climate are temperature and precipitation • These are generally controlled by the amount of radiation and general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans • Other controls include - Distribution of land, ocean - Presence of mountain barriers - Altitude • Static Controls: Controls that don’t change with time • Varying Controls: Controls that change with time

  4. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (4 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University Important Climate Variables • As mentioned there are two main variables to consider when defining climate • Temperature • Main control on climate • Widely measured • Precipitation • Much more complex than temperature • Whereas there are three main temperature regimes (based on latitude) there are seven different precipitation regimes • They are mentioned in the book • We will cover them as part of the climate regime discussions • There are also different ways to “measure” these variables • Annual mean • Seasonality • Can be uniform • Winter peak, summer minimum • Winter minimum, summer peak • Through the next set of lectures will be referring to climographs which depict the seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation at a given location

  5. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (5 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University Temperature Influences • Controlled by latitude, continental location, and altitude • Mean temperature increases with decreasing latitude, continental locations and lower altitudes • Seasonality in temperature increases with increasing latitude, continental locations, and high altitudes

  6. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (6 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University As mentioned, the influences on precipitation are much more complex Must also account for the general circulation of the atmosphere and the influence of air masses For instance, Florida is considered a moist subtropical region because of the influence of maritime air mases (mT) However, Arizona is at the same latitude but there we find dry subtropical regions because it is influenced by continental air masses (cT) Precipitation Influences

  7. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (7 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University Define regions with similar temperature and precipitation characteristics (both mean and seasonal variability) We will use one involving 3 latitude groups and 13 classes total Climate Classification Methodology-1

  8. Myneni L23: Climate Classification Apr-21-07 (8 of 8) Natural Environments: The Atmosphere GE 101 – Spring 2007 Boston University A traditional one discussed in the book is the Koeppen system of classification based purely on temperature/precipitation records The book uses a modification of this in order to highlight regions that have similar characteristics for similar reasons Hence, we will be focusing on the processes that control climate in various regions Overall this will entail looking at three latitude groups which are then subdivided into a total of 13 different climate regimes Climate Classification Methodology-2

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