Data and methods
Data Source for the Köppen-Geiger Climate Map
This site visualizes web-ready Köppen-Geiger climate classification rasters derived from the Beck et al. (2023) high-resolution global maps. The interactive app uses Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF layers for fast browser rendering with OpenLayers.
Source Dataset
Climate maps are based on Beck, H. E. et al., High-resolution (1 km) Köppen-Geiger maps for 1901-2099 based on constrained CMIP6 projections , Scientific Data 10, 724 (2023). The README identifies GloH2O as the source page and figshare as the raw TIFF archive.
Historical Coverage
The committed manifest includes historical periods for 1901-1930, 1931-1960, 1961-1990, and 1991-2020. The default layer is 1991-2020.
Future Scenarios
Future layers cover 2041-2070 and 2071-2099 for SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP4-3.4, SSP4-6.0, and SSP5-8.5. These are CMIP6 scenario projections, not forecasts.
License and Attribution
The project README describes the map data as CC BY 4.0, free to use, adapt, and share with attribution to Beck et al. (2023). Place names in popups come from OpenStreetMap Nominatim and should be attributed to OpenStreetMap contributors when reused.
Citation
Beck, H. E., T. R. McVicar, N. Vergopolan, A. Berg, N. J. Lutsko, A. Dufour, Z. Zeng, X. Jiang, A. I. J. M. van Dijk, D. G. Miralles. High-resolution (1 km) Köppen-Geiger maps for 1901-2099 based on constrained CMIP6 projections. Scientific Data 10, 724 (2023). doi:10.1038/s41597-023-02549-6.
Limitations
Köppen-Geiger classes summarize long-term climate, not weather. Future maps are scenario- and model-based projections. Local microclimates, elevation, coastlines, islands, urban effects, and grid-cell boundaries can make a specific place differ from the displayed class.