13.2

• Recognizes five major climates based on temperature and precipitation averages:
• Köppen Climate Classification System is the most widely used system for classifying the world's climates based on temperature and precipitation averages
• Moist tropical Climate (A):

  • High temperatures and precipitation year-round, no dry season
• Dry Climates (B):

  • Extremely high temperatures with little precipitation
• Continental Climates (D):

  • Found in continental interiors
  • Characterized by low precipitation and varying temperatures
• Cold Climates (E):

  • Extreme low temperatures
  • Permanent presence of ice and tundra
• Humid Middle Latitude Climates (C):

  • Characterized by warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters
• Low-Latitude Climate groups are formed by converging trade winds around the equator, leading to tropical air masses
• Tropical Moist Climates (AF):

  • Heavy year-round rainfall
  • Home to rainforest biomes
  • Average temperatures are mostly constant
• Wet dry tropical Climates (AW):

  • Transition of very dry-wet season
• Dry Tropical Climate (BW):

  • Trade winds and subtropical high-pressure belt end
  • Light winds allow rapid evaporation of moisture in high temperatures
• Mid-Latitude Climates are formed by converging tropical and polar air masses
• Dry Mid-Latitude Climates (Bs):

  • Semi-arid landscapes covered by grasslands
• Steppe biome:

  • Characterized by tall grasses and isolated trees
  • Experience long periods of drought and rain
• Mediterranean Climates (Cs):

  • Wet winters and very dry summers caused by sinking subtropical air masses
• Moist continental climate (Cf):

  • Polar and tropical air masses meet
  • Warm summers and cold winters
• Chaparral biome:

  • Characterized by organisms adapted to long periods
• Deciduous forest biome:

  • Has four distinct seasons
• High-Latitude Climates are dominated by polar and arctic air masses
• Boreal Forest Climate (DFC):

  • Long very cold winters and short cool summers
• Tundra Climate (E):

  • Found along coastal arctic areas
  • No true summer exists
• Highland climate (H):

  • Mountainous microclimates that exist worldwide
  • Alpine biome