AgricultureID

Köppen-Geiger climate classification · arid

BWk — Cold desert

Climate
Very low precipitation with cold winters.
Growing period
Short, water-limited season; irrigation essential.
Soils & vegetation
Aridisols; steppe/desert vegetation.
Agricultural relevance
Irrigated agriculture in oases and river valleys; extensive grazing.
Where it occurs
Central Asia, Great Basin (USA), Patagonia.
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. [1]WMO — World Meteorological Organization (opens in a new tab)

    World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

    Authoritative

    Cited for: Climate classification context

    Type:
    Intergovernmental organization
    Jurisdiction:
    Global
    Accessed:
    2026-07-12
  2. [2]NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (opens in a new tab)

    U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

    Authoritative

    Cited for: Climate normals context

    Type:
    Government agency
    Jurisdiction:
    United States
    Accessed:
    2026-07-12