Climate zones in Bangladesh, 1991 to 2020
Share of Bangladesh's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 172,638 map cells used cover 99% of the country's outline (about 135,529 km²).
By major group: C (temperate) 58%, A (tropical) 42%.
Cwa, humid subtropical with dry winter, is the main climate of Bangladesh, covering 58% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020, with Am (tropical monsoon) next at 23%. In plain terms, humid subtropical with dry winter means hot, wet summers and dry, mild winters. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 62% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to Aw (tropical savannah). The most common zone would then be Aw (tropical savannah).
How Bangladesh'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.
| Map | Share in a different zone | Different major group | Biggest gain | Biggest loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 to 1930 (past) | 9.7% | 7.8% | Aw +7.1 percentage points | Cwa -7.8 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) | 62% | 58% | Aw +35.8 percentage points | Cwa -58.2 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 (middle of the road) | 62% | 58% | Aw +35.5 percentage points | Cwa -58.3 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP5-8.5 (high emissions) | 67% | 58% | Am +35.6 percentage points | Cwa -58.3 percentage points |
For the past row, the comparison runs the other way: the 1901 to 1930 map against 1991 to 2020.
Zone shares by map
| Zone | 1901 to 1930 | 1991 to 2020 | SSP1-2.6 (2071 to 2099) | SSP2-4.5 (2071 to 2099) | SSP5-8.5 (2071 to 2099) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter | 66% | 58% | 0.1% | - | - |
| Am Tropical monsoon | 22% | 23% | 45% | 46% | 58% |
| Aw Tropical savannah | 12% | 19% | 55% | 55% | 42% |
Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.
Cities in Bangladesh and their climate zones
| City | 1991 to 2020 | 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter | Aw Tropical savannah |
| Chattogram | Am Tropical monsoon | Am Tropical monsoon |
| Gazipur | Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter | Aw Tropical savannah |
| Khulna | Aw Tropical savannah | Aw Tropical savannah |
| Rangpur | Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter | Aw Tropical savannah |
| Rajshahi | Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter | Aw Tropical savannah |
| Comilla | Aw Tropical savannah | Am Tropical monsoon |
| Pallabi | Cwa Humid subtropical with dry winter | Aw Tropical savannah |
Zones found in Bangladesh
Data: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0; country outlines from Natural Earth. In 1901 to 1930 the most common zone was Cwa. See data sources and licences.