Final answer:
The Köppen climate classification system categorizes climates into major types (A, B, C, D, E, H) based on temperature and precipitation patterns, and further subdivides them into specific climate types like ET (Tundra) and Dfa (Hot-summer humid continental).
Step-by-step explanation:
The Köppen climate classification system is a widely recognized method for categorizing the world's diverse climates developed by the climatologist Wladimir Köppen. It categorizes climate types based on specified sets of temperature and precipitation criteria that pertain to vegetation characteristics. Major classifications include:
- Type A: Tropical or equatorial climates, where conditions are consistently warm and precipitation occurs throughout the year.
- Type B: Dry or arid climates, which may include deserts and steppes.
- Type C: Moderate or temperate climates, known for mild temperatures with seasonal variation.
- Type D: Cold or continental climates, featuring colder winters and potentially hot summers depending on latitude.
- Type E: Polar or extreme climates, with very cold conditions year-round.
- Type H: Highland climates, an unclassified category that accounts for varied climates based on altitude.
Each climate type is further broken down into specific subtypes, such as ET (Tundra) or Dfa (Hot-summer humid continental), based on more refined temperature and precipitation criteria.