Les types de climats en France, une construction spatiale

The climatic criterion impacts the behaviour and the decision of individuals and social groups; thus, it is a major component of the territory life. Therefore, dividing space according to different climate types is worth achieving by using updated data processing resources. With this aim in view, the authors suggest a spatial approach for defining climates and their geographical limits. Taking into account measurements made by Météo-France recording stations, a data set related to temperature and precipitation is worked out for a 30 years period (1971-2000), it includes 14 variables able to characterize the climates and their specific variability. An original method, so called local interpolation, allows the representation of each of the 14 variables as a continuous field and stores them in the form of GIS data layers. This data is then processed by Coupling Correspondence Analysis and Ascending Hierarchical Classification in order to obtain a typology where 8 climates are identified and mapped on the French continental territory. An additional process using a probabilistic method enables the mapping of the potential distribution space of each climate and the shading of the strict type delimitation the way it is given by classification. A final synthesis leads to interpret the obtained results within the frame of a general climate understanding. Two annexes enable the download of the cartographic documentation related to this paper.