Strahler climate classification

views updated May 14 2018

Strahler climate classification A little-used system for describing climates devised in 1969 by A. N. Strahler, in which world climates are related to the main air masses that produce them, as: (a)equatorial/tropical air masses, producing low-latitude climates;(b)tropical and polar air masses, producing mid-latitude climates; and(c)polar and Arctic air masses, producing high-latitude climates. Subsets of these are based on variations in temperature and precipitation to give 14 regional types, plus upland (highland) climates which are regarded as a separate category. See also Köppen climate classification and Thornthwaite climate classification.

Strahler climate classification

views updated May 08 2018

Strahler climate classification A system for describing climates, devised in 1969 by A. N. Strahler, in which world climates are related to the main air masses that produce them, as: (a) equatorial/tropical air masses, producing low-latitude climates; (b) tropical and polar air masses, producing mid-latitude climates; and (c) polar and arctic air masses, producing high-latitude climates. Subsets of these are based on variations in temperature and precipitation to give 14 regional types, plus upland (highland) climates which are regarded as a separate category. See also KÖPPEN CLIMATE CLASSIFICATION; and THORNTHWAITE CLIMATE CLASSIFICATION.