The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884.
Before using the Köppen Climate Classification API, it’s important to understand the classification system and codes. The Köppen climate classification scheme divides climates into five main climate groups: A (tropical), B (arid), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). The second letter indicates the seasonal precipitation type, while the third letter indicates the level of heat (only for climate groups (B, C, and D). Summers are defined as the 6-month period that is warmer either from April–September and/or October–March while winter is the 6-month period that is cooler.
Climates are classified based on specific criteria unique to each climate type. Main climate groups are based on the types of vegetation that grow in a given climate classification region.
In addition to identifying climates, the system can be used to analyze ecosystem conditions and identify the main types of vegetation within climates. Due to its link with the plant life of a given region, the system can be useful in predicting future changes in plant life within that region.
Each classification is described in the table below:
Code | Description | Group | Precipitation Type | Level of Heat |
---|---|---|---|---|
Af | Tropical rainforest climate | Tropical | Rainforest | |
Am | Tropical monsoon climate | Tropical | Monsoon | |
As | Tropical dry savanna climate | Tropical | Savanna, Dry | |
Aw | Tropical savanna, wet | Tropical | Savanna, Wet | |
BSh | Hot semi-arid (steppe) climate | Arid | Steppe | Hot |
BSk | Cold semi-arid (steppe) climate | Arid | Steppe | Cold |
BWh | Hot deserts climate | Arid | Desert | Hot |
BWk | Cold desert climate | Arid | Desert | Cold |
Cfa | Humid subtropical climate | Temperate | Without dry season | Hot summer |
Cfb | Temperate oceanic climate | Temperate | Without dry season | Warm summer |
Cfc | Subpolar oceanic climate | Temperate | Without dry season | Cold summer |
Csa | Hot-summer Mediterranean climate | Temperate | Dry summer | Hot summer |
Csb | Warm-summer Mediterranean climate | Temperate | Dry summer | Warm summer |
Csc | Cool-summer Mediterranean climate | Temperate | Dry summer | Cold summer |
Cwa | Monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate | Temperate | Dry winter | Hot summer |
Cwb | Subtropical highland climate or temperate oceanic climate with dry winters | Temperate | Dry winter | Warm summer |
Cwc | Cold subtropical highland climate or subpolar oceanic climate with dry winters | Temperate | Dry winter | Cold summer |
Dfa | Hot-summer humid continental climate | Cold (continental) | Without dry season | Hot summer |
Dfb | Warm-summer humid continental climate | Cold (continental) | Without dry season | Warm summer |
Dfc | Subarctic climate | Cold (continental) | Without dry season | Cold summer |
Dfd | Extremely cold subarctic climate | Cold (continental) | Without dry season | Very cold winter |
Dsa | Hot, dry-summer continental climate | Cold (continental) | Dry summer | Hot summer |
Dsb | Warm, dry-summer continental climate | Cold (continental) | Dry summer | Warm summer |
Dsc | Dry-summer subarctic climate | Cold (continental) | Dry summer | Cold summer |
Dwa | Monsoon-influenced hot-summer humid continental climate | Cold (continental) | Dry winter | Hot summer |
Dwb | Monsoon-influenced warm-summer humid continental climate | Cold (continental) | Dry winter | Warm summer |
Dwc | Monsoon-influenced subarctic climate | Cold (continental) | Dry winter | Cold summer |
Dwd | Monsoon-influenced extremely cold subarctic climate | Cold (continental) | Dry winter | Very cold winter |
EF | Ice cap climate | Polar | Ice cap | |
ET | Tundra | Polar | Tundra |
You are required to submit latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal format with every request. Use a positive value for N latitudes and E longitudes. Use a negative value for S latitudes and W longitudes. The API will return classifications based on a grid box of coordinates. Each grid box size consists of 0.5° longitude x 0.5° latitude. Your latitude and longitude input parameters will be rounded to the nearest .25 or .75 degrees to fit into the center of one of these grid squares and return the appropriate classification (if defined).
For example, if you request the classification for the location latitude=37.5331 and longitude=-79.987, the API will return the classification for the coordinates latitude=37.75 and longitude=-79.75.
Note: Large bodies of water such as oceans and seas do not have classifications assigned. Submitting a request with a latitude and longitude in one of these locations will result in a response stating that a classification is not defined for the given location.
Basic - This plan is suited for developers who want to try out the API.
Pro - This plan is best for basic websites or apps that require limited usage.
Ultra - Unlimited requests for commercial or enterprise usage.
/classification -> get Köppen classification for the given latitude and longitude
Sample Usage and Response
/classification?lat=39.5831&lon=-104.176
{
"resource": "koppen",
"location": {
"latitude": "39.75",
"longitude": "-104.25"
},
"classification": "BSk"
}
/classification?lat=25.692&lon=32.641
{
"resource": "koppen",
"location": {
"latitude": "25.75",
"longitude": "32.75"
},
"classification": "BWh"
}
/classification?lat=-3.198&lon=-60.069
{
"resource": "koppen",
"location": {
"latitude": "-2.75",
"longitude": "-59.75"
},
"classification": "Am"
}
400 - Invalid Request (you have specified an invalid resource or invalid parameters)
401 - Unauthorized (you are not authorized to use the specified endpoint)
404 - Value Not Found (no classification found for the provided parameters)
All response data is provided in string format for easy and consistent usage.
Field order in response is not guaranteed or preserved.
In order to make our API data ever-evolving, new fields could be added at any time.
We strive to provide the most up-to-date data available. If for any reason you notice data discrepancies, please contact us immediately so we can resolve them.