ConstructingClimate Graphs

What is a Climate Graph?

- a climate graph combines a bar and a line graph

- It shows the average temperature and precipitation for each month in a certain place.

How to create a climate graph:Step 1:

- Climate graphs have 2 vertical axis’: the left shows temperature (C ) and the right shows precipitation (mm).

-Use pencil to make and label the axis’. Your scales can use different numbers if necessary.

How to create a climate graph:

Step 2: Use red to plot the average monthly temperature.

temperature

- Make a dot for the temperature in the middle of each space for the month.

When you have plotted the data for all 12 months, connect the points into a smooth, curved line.

How to create a climate graph:

Step 3:

Use the colour blue to make a bar graph of the monthly average amount of precipitation.

precipitation

How to create a climate graph:

Step 4:

Make sure your graph is properly labeled

How to create a climate graph:

This is what it should look like when you’re done:

READING A CLIMATE CHART

The Climate Chart

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

°C -26 -28 -24 -15 -4 4 8 7 2 -5 -13 -23

mm 21 21 22 28 27 35 59 66 55 37 29 18

Iqaluit, Nunavut

Reading Climate Charts• Climate charts provide the data that are

represented in Climate Graphs. They show the average temperature and precipitation for each month.

• What other information can be generated from a climate data chart??– Average annual temperature– Annual precipitation– Temperature range

Average Annual Temperature• Add all the temperatures together and divide by

12(total number of months)

• -10˚

°C -26 -28 -24 -15 -4 4 8 7 2 -5 -13 -23

Annual Precipitation• Add together all 12 months

• 418mm

mm 21 21 22 28 27 35 59 66 55 37 29 18

Temperature Range• Difference between the highest and lowest

average temperature

• 36˚– there are 28˚ below 0 and 8˚ above 0-

making the difference 36

°C -26 -28 -24 -15 -4 4 8 7 2 -5 -13 -23

INTERPRETING CLIMATE GRAPHS

Interpreting the Climate Graphs• FREEZING TEMPERATURE:

– Count the number of months that have an average temperature below 0° C.

• GROWING SEASON:– Count the number of months with an average

temperature above 5.6° C (mark as 6° C on the graph).

Interpreting the Climate Graphs• SEASON OF MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION:

• Add together total precipitation for each season

•  

• WINTER = October, November, December, January, February, March

• SUMMER = April, May, June, July, August, September

• Determine which season has the highest level of precipitation.

Interpreting Climate Graphs• CONTINENTAL OR MARITIME CLIMATE:

– Look at the precipitation and temperature trends on your climate graph.

Criteria Continental(Away From Water)

Maritime(Close Proximity to

Water)

Temperature Range Greater than 25° C Less than 25° C

Total Precipitation Less than 1000 mm Greater than 1000 mm

Seasonal Distribution of Precipitation

Summer Maximum Winter Maximum

*There is a slight difference on the East Coast and a large difference on the West Coast

Interpreting with LOWERN• Latitude- further north the colder the average

temeperatures

• Ocean Currents- average temperatures will indicate whether coastal cities are on a warm or cold ocean current

• Elevation- the higher elevations usually have colder dryer climates

Interpreting with LOWERN• Relief- temperature is warmer and precipitation

is higher on the windward side of mountains

• Near Water- cities near large bodies of water will have a higher annual precipitation (above 1000mm) and a moderate temperature range