Empirical classification
Topic: World Climate Classification: Koeppen's Scheme · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 11 "World Climate and Climate Change"
Meaning
Empirical classification groups climates using measured data, mainly temperature and precipitation (rain and snow). It does not ask what causes those values. It only sets limits, such as "coldest month 18°C or more", and sorts places by them. Koeppen's scheme is the standard example. He linked his limits to where vegetation changes, so his climate map is also roughly a map of natural plant zones.
Example
Koeppen's map of India marks the west coast south of Goa as Amw. That label comes from its recorded monthly temperatures and its heavy rain with a short dry season. It does not come from the monsoon winds that cause the rain.
Don't confuse with
- Genetic classification: this groups climates by their causes, such as air masses, pressure belts and winds, not by measured values.
- Applied classification: this is built for one practical use, such as farming, building design or aviation.
Related concepts
- Genetic classification
- Koeppen climate classification
- Koeppen seasonality letters
- Koeppen temperature letters
- Thornthwaite classification