Klimadiagramm

Klimadiagramm, also known as a climate diagram or Walter climate diagram, is a graphical representation of a location's climate. It was developed by the German biologist Heinrich Walter. The diagram typically displays average monthly temperature and precipitation data for a specific place over a period of at least 30 years.

The horizontal axis of a Klimadiagramm represents the months of the year, usually from January to December. The left vertical axis usually represents average monthly temperature, often shown as a line graph. The right vertical axis typically represents average monthly precipitation, usually depicted as a bar graph. A key feature is the scaling: precipitation (in millimeters) is usually scaled such that a 1:10 ratio exists with temperature (in degrees Celsius), meaning that if the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, the precipitation scale will be 200 millimeters. This scaling highlights periods of potential water surplus (when precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration) and water deficit (when precipitation is lower than potential evapotranspiration).

Klimadiagramme are valuable tools for understanding regional climates, comparing different locations, and assessing the suitability of an area for specific types of vegetation. They help visualize seasonal patterns, identify arid or humid periods, and understand the overall climatic conditions that influence ecosystems and human activities. The diagrams are widely used in geography, ecology, agriculture, and environmental science.