Subject: Geography Category: The Fundamentals of Physical Geography Topic: Koeppen’s Climate Classification- Group B Climates
NCERT notes on important topics for the UPSC civil services exam. These notes will also be useful for other competitive exams like banking PO, SSC, state civil services exams and so on. This article discuss the Koeppen’s Climate Classification- Group B Climates.
Koeppen’s Climate Classification – Group B Climates (UPSC Notes):- Download PDF Here
Koeppen's Group-B Climates
- The Group-B Climates of Koppen’s Climate Classification are Dry Climates
- These arid and semiarid climates cover about a quarter of the land surface of the Earth.
- This region lies between 50° North and 50° South.
- But these regions are predominantly seen in the 15–30° latitude belts in northern and southern hemispheres.
- These regions have intense solar radiation and clear skies.
- These regions experience
- Low precipitation
- Great variability in precipitation from year to year
- Low relative humidity
- High evaporation rates
- Dry climates are divided into:
- Steppe or semi-arid climate (BS)
- Subtropical steppe (BSh)- Latitudes from 15° – 35°
- Mid-latitude steppe (BSk)
- Desert climate (BW)
- Subtropical desert (BWh) – Latitudes between 35°- 60°
- Mid-latitude desert (BWk)
- Steppe or semi-arid climate (BS)
Subtropical Steppe (BSh) and Subtropical Desert (BWh) Climates
- Subtropical steppe (BSh) and subtropical desert (BWh) have common temperature and precipitation characteristics.
- The maximum temperature in this region in summer is very high.
- The annual and diurnal ranges of temperature are also high.
- The highest temperature of 58°C was recorded at Libya in 1922 at Al Aziziyah.
- This region is positioned in the transition zone between dry climates and humid.
- Subtropical steppe region receives slightly more rainfall than the subtropical desert which is sufficient enough for the growth of meager grasslands.
- The rainfall in both the climates is highly variable.
- Rain occurs in short intense thundershowers in deserts and is futile in building soil moisture.
- The inconsistency in the rainfall distresses the life in the steppe much more than in the desert, more frequently causing famine.
- Fog is common in coastal deserts neighbouring cold currents.
Koeppen’s Climate Classification – Group B Climates (UPSC Notes):- Download PDF Here
Frequently Asked Questions on Koppens Group B Climate
Q1
Q 1. What is Koppens Group B Climate?
Ans. The Group-B Climates of Koppen’s Climate Classification are Dry Climates. These arid and semiarid climates cover about a quarter of the land surface of the Earth and lie between 50° North and 50° South.
Q2
Q 2. What are the different types of Koppens Group B Climate
Ans. Group B climate is divide into categories and then subcategories. These include:
- Steppe or semi-arid climate (BS)
- Subtropical steppe (BSh)- Latitudes from 15° – 35°
- Mid-latitude steppe (BSk)
- Desert climate (BW)
- Subtropical desert (BWh) – Latitudes between 35°- 60°
- Mid-latitude desert (BWk)
Also read-
NCERT Notes-Geography Physical Characteristics of Minerals
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