Climate zones in Latvia, 1991 to 2020
Share of Latvia's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 136,398 map cells used cover 100% of the country's outline (about 64,041 km²).
By major group: D (cold (continental)) 100%.
Almost all of Latvia is one climate: Dfb, warm-summer humid continental, which covers 100% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020. In plain terms, warm-summer humid continental means warm summers and cold, snowy winters, with rain all year. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 14% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to Cfb (temperate oceanic).
How Latvia'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) | 0% | 0% | No change | No change |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) | 1% | 1% | Cfb +1 percentage point | Dfb -1 percentage point |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 (middle of the road) | 14% | 14% | Cfb +14.1 percentage points | Dfb -14.1 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP5-8.5 (high emissions) | 98% | 98% | Cfa +75.3 percentage points | Dfb -98.4 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dfb Warm-summer humid continental | 100% | 100% | 99% | 86% | 1.6% |
| Cfb Temperate oceanic | - | - | 1% | 14% | 23% |
| Cfa Humid subtropical | - | - | - | - | 75% |
Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.
Cities in Latvia and their climate zones
| City | 1991 to 2020 | 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Riga | Dfb Warm-summer humid continental | Dfb Warm-summer humid continental |
Zones found in Latvia
Data: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0; country outlines from Natural Earth. In 1901 to 1930 the most common zone was Dfb. See data sources and licences.