Köppen-Geiger climate classification · arid
BSh — Hot semi-arid (steppe)
- Climate
- Low but not negligible rainfall; hot.
- Growing period
- A short rainfed window; drought risk is high; supplemental irrigation common.
- Soils & vegetation
- Often fertile but drought-prone soils.
- Agricultural relevance
- Drought-tolerant cereals (sorghum, millet), pulses, and extensive livestock.
- Where it occurs
- Sahel margins, parts of India, northeast Brazil.
- Classification
- Köppen-Geiger (Kottek et al. 2006; Beck et al. 2018)
Limitations
- Zone boundaries are climatological averages; local microclimate, elevation, and soils vary within a zone.
- Membership in a broad zone does not by itself indicate crop suitability or a recommendation.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]WMO — World Meteorological Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Cited for: Climate classification context
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- [2]NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Cited for: Climate normals context
- Type:
- Government agency
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12