Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The BWh climate, also known as a tropical and subtropical desert climate, is a major climate type within the Köppen classification system. This climate is characterized by the dominance of subtropical anticyclones, which create descending air, elevated inversions, and clear skies, thus inhibiting precipitation.1

Key features of the BWh climate include:
* Aridity: Most BWh climates occur between 15° and 30° latitude. They are often found in the interiors of continents or on the western sides of continents where subtropical anticyclones are strongest. Precipitation is minimal, typically ranging from 0 to 25 cm (0 to 10 inches) annually, and can be highly unreliable.12
* High Temperatures: Monthly average temperatures generally fall between 21° and 32° C (70° to 90° F). Daily temperature variations are extreme, with significant drops from day to night due to the dry, cloudless air. Some of the highest recorded air temperatures on Earth have occurred in BWh regions.1
* West Coast Variants: Some BWh areas, found on western coastal margins, are cooler than their latitude would suggest due to cold ocean currents. These areas may experience frequent fog and low clouds despite their extreme aridity.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.