Köppen-Geiger climate classification · arid
BSk — Cold semi-arid (steppe)
- Climate
- Low rainfall with cold winters; the classic dryland grain belt climate.
- Growing period
- A single rainfed small-grain season; fallowing and moisture conservation are key.
- Soils & vegetation
- Deep, fertile chernozem/mollisol steppe soils.
- Agricultural relevance
- Dryland wheat and other small grains, and rangeland livestock — major world grain regions.
- Where it occurs
- US/Canadian northern plains, Ukrainian and Kazakh steppe, interior Australia.
- 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