One type of climate map that is frequently used is a temperature climate map. A temperature map can focus on one specific region, or be general enough to map out temperature tendencies for the entire world. A temperature map's key is often a range of temperatures in both centigrade and Fahrenheit, with dark grey representing the coldest temperatures and dark red representing the warmest temperatures. The temperatures are usually an average annual temperature, although the map can be customized to address temperatures over a particular day, week or month depending on your need.
Another specific type of climate map is a map that charts rainfall throughout different parts of the world. A rainfall climate map is designed to assess annual total rainfall. The scale units used on a rainfall map will be in both inches and millimeters. Similar to a temperature climate map, different colors are used on a rainfall map to indicate different total rainfall averages in different regions. Generally, the the lowest levels of rainfall are conveyed using light gray while the highest levels are conveyed using a light blue.
Wind speed is another type of data that can be collected and converted into a climate map. While often charted on separate maps, wind speed and wind direction can be integrated to fit on one map as well. Average wind speed is often measured in both meters per second and miles per hour. Because of the intense variation in wind speed, this map is extremely dynamic and has a variety of corresponding color changes. Wind direction maps use vector arrows to indicate the particular direction the wind is blowing. Combining the two results in a colored map with vectors.
Climate maps can also be used to document global warming, as well as focus on smaller regions with a wide variation in climates. For example, Brazil is a largely tropical region. Despite this, a climate map can break down each portion of Brazil's climate, organizing it into subtropical, semi-arid, tropical, equatorial, high altitude tropical and Atlantic tropical regions. This breakdown allows you to get an accurate visual idea of what the climate in Brazil is like.