China climate zones

Climate zones in China, 1991 to 2020

Share of China's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 13,691,603 map cells used cover 100% of the country's outline (about 9,369,544 km²).

By major group: B (arid) 30%, C (temperate) 27%, D (cold (continental)) 25%, E (polar) 18%, A (tropical) 0.3%.

China has no single dominant climate. The biggest zone, BWk (cold desert), covers only 19% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020, followed by ET (18%) and Cfa (14%). 9 zones each cover 1% or more of it. In plain terms, cold desert means very dry, with cool or cold conditions through the year. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 26% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to Dwa (hot-summer continental with dry winter).

How China's zones have changed and may change

Each row compares a map with 1991 to 2020. "Share in a different zone" is the share of the country's area whose class is different from 1991 to 2020. Future rows are model projections under an emissions scenario, not forecasts.

For the past row, the comparison runs the other way: the 1901 to 1930 map against 1991 to 2020.

Zone shares by map

Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.

Cities in China and their climate zones

The 40 largest of 288 cities with a page are shown.

Zones found in China

• BWk Cold desert
• ET Tundra
• Cfa Humid subtropical
• BSk Cold semi-arid (steppe)
• Dwb Warm-summer continental with dry winter
• Dwa Hot-summer continental with dry winter
• Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter
• Dwc Subarctic with dry winter
• Cwb Subtropical highland (dry winter)
• Dfc Subarctic (boreal)
• Dfb Warm-summer humid continental
• Aw Tropical savannah
• EF Ice cap (frost)
• Am Tropical monsoon
• Cfb Temperate oceanic

All countries · All climate zones