What do the letters s, w, and f indicate in Type C and D climate codes?

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In the Köppen climate classification system, the second letter in the codes for Type C and D climates describes the seasonality of precipitation. These letters indicate the following:12

  • f (no dry season): Precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year, and the criteria for the other two designations are not met.2
  • w (winter dry): The precipitation in the driest month of the winter half of the year is less than one-tenth of the amount in the wettest month of the summer half.2
  • s (summer dry): The precipitation in the driest month of the summer half of the year is less than 30 mm and less than one-third of the wettest month of the winter half.2

These designations help climatologists categorize midlatitude climates based on their specific moisture patterns.12