Temperature province

From Glossary of Meteorology



temperature province

A major division of C. W. Thornthwaite's 1931 schemes of climatic classification, determined as a function of the temperature-efficiency index or the potential evapotranspiration.

In the 1931 system, six main temperature provinces (climates) are distinguished: 1) tropical; 2) mesothermal; 3) microthermal; 4) taiga; 5) tundra; and 6) frost. In the 1948 system they are 1) megathermal; 2) mesothermal; 3) microthermal; 4) tundra; and 5) frost.
Compare climatic province;
see humidity province.

Thornthwaite, C. W. 1931. The climates of North America according to a new classification. Geogr. Rev.. 21. 633–655.

Thornthwaite, C. W. 1948. An approach toward a rational classification of climate. Geogr. Rev.. 38. 55–94.


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