Dry Climate Types of Texas

Dry climate types occur in areas characterized by relatively small amounts of precipitation, in semi-arid and desert climate regions. In Texas alone, there are four distinct climate types that fall under the general “Dry climate classification,” including:

1. Hot semi-arid (BSh),
2. Cold semi-arid (BSk),
3. Hot desert (BWh), and
4. Cold desert (BWk).

See below for details regarding these distinct climate types and comparable areas around the globe with similar climates/weather patterns. 

Semi-arid: Hot semi-arid (BSh) and Cold semi-arid (BSk) 

Semi-arid climate types are defined by their extremely dry summers, with relatively little to no precipitation, with levels below evapotranspiration. However, the precipitation threshold for semi-arid areas does exceed precipitation levels for desert climate types. Climate types in Texas include both hot and cold semi-arid climates. Hot semi-arid climates (BSh) have annual temperatures that generally exceed 64℉/ 18ºC, marked by extremely hot/dry summers and warm winters. In contrast, cold semi-arid climates (BSk) have annual temperatures below 64℉/ 18ºC, and hot/dry summers, and cold winters.¹Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 30). Semi-arid climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-arid_climate 

Identifying Characteristics for Hot Semi-Arid Climates²Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 30). Semi-arid climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-arid_climate.

Identifying Characteristics for Cold Semi-Arid Climates³Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 30). Semi-arid climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-arid_climate

Other areas around the world that encompass hot semi-arid climates commonly include parts of Africa, Australia, South Asia. Areas that largely encompass cold semi-arid climates include Asia and North America as shown in this map.⁴Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 30). Semi-arid climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-arid_climate 

Desert: Hot desert (BWh) and Cold desert (BWk) 

Desert climates have an excess of evapotranspiration over precipitation. They also fall under a calculated threshold of precipitation, used for differentiating semi-arid from desert climate types. However, aside from precipitation levels, semi-arid and desert climates are similar to one another. Hot desert climates (BWh) typically feature high temperatures year round, whereas cold desert climates (BWk) are marked by hot/dry summers and can experience very low temperatures during the winter. Cold desert climates are also frequently found in areas of higher latitude.⁵Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 5). Desert climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_climate 

Identifying Characteristics for Hot Desert Climates⁶Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 5). Desert climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_climate

Identifying Characteristics for Cold Desert Climates⁷Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 5). Desert climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_climate

Other areas around the world that encompass hot desert climates commonly include deserts in parts of Africa, Australia, Middle East, and North America. Areas that largely encompass cold desert climates include parts of Asia, South America, South Africa and North America as shown in this map.⁸Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, May 5). Desert climate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_climate