Climate Graph Text

HOW DO WE
DESCRIBE CLIMATE?
To describe climate, geographers start by gathering data about weather.
Meteorologists, the scientists who study weather, supply the data by
measuring weather conditions like those in the table below:
Temperature
Precipitation
Wind Conditions
maximum (highest) daily temperature

minimum (lowest) daily temperature
wind speed
wind direction
amount of moisture in the air (relative humidity)

amount of precipitation
type of precipitation
cloud cover (amount and type of clouds)
The climate on Earth works as a system. The global climate system,

shown in Figure 2.8, is made up of five parts: Earths surface, the
atmosphere, all the water on Earth, all the ice on Earth, and all life on Earth.
With energy from the Sun, these parts interact in several ways to produce
the climates of different places. Geographers group together places with
similar climates into climate regions.
climate regionsareas
of Earth identified as
having similar climate
characteristics
FIGURE 2.8 This diagram shows
the global climate system.
The Suns energy powers the
climate on Earth.
energy arriving from the Sun
clouds
gases and ash from

erupting volcanoes
interactions
between
land and air
energy leaving Earth
precipitation
wind
snow and ice

human
activities
water runoff
interactions
between
air and ice
interactions
between
water
and air
water
ocean currents
ice
interactions
between
water and ice
54
UNIT 1: Physical Patterns in a Changing World
NEL
READING
CLIMATE GRAPHS
Brisbane, Australia
Temperature (C)
30
400
20
350
10
300
250
10
200
20
150
30
100
40
50
50
FIGURE 2.9 Climate graph for
Brisbane, Australia
M A M
O N
Precipitation (mm)
Climate graphs combine bar and line graphs

to show both average monthly temperatures
and average monthly precipitation amounts
for a place. Geographers use climate graphs
to show and analyze climate data. When you
read a climate graph, you analyze the data.
Look at the climate graph in Figure 2.9. The
average monthly temperature is shown by the
line graph. The average monthly precipitation
is shown by the bar graph.
Month
temperature
precipitation
Climate Data for Brisbane, Australia
Average monthly temperature (C)

Average monthly precipitation (mm)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
25.1
25.0
23.9
21.7
18.8
16.1
15.0
16.0
18.3
20.7
22.7
24.3
110
132
169
148
140
104
97
White box in bottom layer.

74
68
46
33
105
FIGURE 2.10 Climate data for Brisbane, Australia
HOW TO READ A CLIMATE GRAPH

Determine the average annual temperature.
Using the data in Figure 2.10, add up the monthly
Geography 7 SB
temperatures. Divide by 12.
STEP 1
0-17-659048-X
FN
CO
C02-F21-G07SB
STEP 2
Crowle Art Group
Determine the precipitation

pattern by looking
3rd pass
Pass
at when most of the citys precipitation occurs.
Approved
Most places in the world match one of these
Not Approved
three patterns:
winter maximummost precipitation occurs in
the coldest months of the year
summer maximummost precipitation occurs in
the warmest months of the year
evenly distributedeach month has about the
same amount of precipitation
STEP 3
Determine the temperature range. This is the

number of degrees from the highest monthly
temperature to the lowest. Subtract the
lowest monthly temperature from the highest
monthly temperature.
Determine the total annual precipitation.
This is calculated by adding up the monthly
precipitation totals.
STEP 4
As you can see, you need to look at both

temperature and precipitation to figure out the
precipitation pattern.
NEL
CHAPTER 2: Changing Patterns of Climate
55
(hot with dry season)

steppe
(warm and dry)
desert
(hot and very dry)
GLOBAL
CLIMATE PATTERNS
mild
Temperature (C)
polar 2.11 This map

FIGURE
(very cold and dry)
shows climate regions around

the world and climate graphs for each region. Which
mountainous
climate
region is the least like the climate from where
(altitude affects climate)
you live? Why do you think it is so different?
400
20
350
10
300
250
10
200
20
150
30
100
40
50
50
F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
ARCTIC OCEAN
Precipitation (mm)
(very cold winter)
Iqaluit (63.75N, 68.52W)
Climate Graphs
Winnipeg (49.90N, 97.14W)
temperature
precipitation
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Winnipeg, Canada
400
20
350
10
300
250
10
200
20
150
30
100
Geography
50 7 SB
40
50
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (C)
30
Temperature (C)
OCEAN
World Climate Regions

tropical
(hot with rain all year)
savannah
C02-F04I-G07SB
(hot with dry season)
Crowle Art Group
Belm, Brazil
400
Pass
Approved350
300
White box in bottom Not
layer.Approved
250
200
150
100
(hot and very dry)

mild
(warm and wet)
subarctic
(very cold winter)
polar
(very cold and dry)
mountainous
(altitude affects climate)
OCEAN
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
20
350
30
350
10
300
20
300
10
250
250
10
200
20
150
30
100
40
50
30
50
40
F Geography
M A M J 7J SB
A S O N D
Month
0-17-659048-X
UNITFN
1: Physical Patterns C02-F04A-G07SB
in a Changing World
CO
Crowle Art Group
400
0
Climate Graphs
10
150
20
100
temperature
precipitation
Month
200
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (C)
40
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (C)
PACIFIC
400
30
56
Tropic of Capricorn
continental
(dry with cold winter)
Month
Lusaka, Zambia
Belm (1.45S, 48.50W)
4th passdesert
50
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Equator
steppe
(warm and dry)
450
Precipitation (mm)
40
30
20
10
0
10
20
30
40
50
ATLANTIC
Tropic of Cancer
0-17-659048-X
0
Month
FN
CO
d)
G07SB
t Group
Iqaluit, Canada
30
(warm andregions
wet)
Climate
are found in different parts of the world.
continental
Geographers
group them into nine overall climate regions
(dry with cold winter)
assubarctic
seen here in Figure 2.11.
Antarctic Circle
50
0
NEL
Mnster, Germany
20
350
20
350
10
300
10
300
250
250
10
200
10
200
20
150
20
150
30
100
30
100
40
50
40
50
50
Month
Month
400
Precipitation (mm)
50
Temperature (C)
30
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (C)
Yakutsk, Russia
400
30
Arctic Circle
Yakutsk (62.03N, 129.73E)
Mnster
(51.96N,
7.63E)
White
box
in bottom
layer.
Mashhad (36.30N, 59.60E)

Lhasa (29.65N, 91.10E)
PACIFIC
Dubai (25.20N, 55.30E)
OCEAN
Geography 7 SB
0-17-659048-X
04F-G07SB
e Art Group
C02-F04H-G07SB
Crowle Art GroupI N D I A N
FN
CO
OCEAN
ss
3rd pass
Pass
Lusaka (15.41S, 28.28E)
Approved
Not Approved
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
1000 km
Mashhad, Iran
20
350
20
350
10
300
10
300
250
250
10
200
10
200
20
150
20
150
30
100
30
100
50
40
50
40
50
50
Month
Month
Temperature (C)
400
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (C)
30
Precipitation (mm)
NEL
Lhasa, China
400
30
57
MAKING
CLIMATE GRAPHS
You already know how to read a climate graph. In this activity, you will
learn how to make one.
Climate Data for Beijing, China
Average monthly temperature (C)

Average monthly precipitation (mm)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
4.3
1.9
5.1
13.6
20.0
24.2
25.9
24.6
19.6
12.7
4.3
2.2
21
34
78
185
160
45
22
FIGURE 2.12 Climate data for Beijing, China. How might you draw a graph using
two sets of numbers and keep them separate on the graph?
HOW TO MAKE A CLIMATE GRAPH

Draw the x axis for the climate graph on graph
paper. Label 12 spaces along the x axis (horizontal)
with the initials of the months of the year.
STEP 1
STEP 2
Now draw the right y axis for precipitation.

Label the lines with 0 mm on the bottom line
and intervals of 50 mm to the top. Precipitation
labels can also be adjusted, but 0 mm must
always be on the bottom line.
Label this axis Precipitation.
STEP 3
STEP 4
Make a bar graph to show precipitation.

Find the precipitation amount for each month
from the data table for Beijing. Draw a bar for
each month using the right y axis.
Colour the bars blue.
UNIT 1: Physical Patterns in a Changing World
Make a line graph to show temperature.

Find the temperature for each month from the
data table for Beijing (Figure 2.12). Put a red dot
in the middle of each column for each month
using the left y axis.
Once you have plotted all 12 points, join the dots
with a red line.
STEP 5
STEP 6
58
Your graph needs two y axes (vertical). Draw the

left axis for temperature first.
Label the lines from 50C to 30C. The
temperature labels can be adjusted depending
on the highest and lowest temperatures of
the place you are graphing. For example, you
might start at 20C if there are no very low
temperatures for the place.
Label this axis Temperature.
Add a title above your climate graph, giving the

name of the place.
NEL
HOW CLIMATE DATA TELLS US CLIMATE

IS CHANGING
Climate graphs can help us identify how climate is changing. Comparisons
can be made among climate graphs of the same locations over periods of
10, 20, or more years. In many parts of the world, detailed climate statistics
have been kept for over 100 years (Figure 2.13). Changes in temperature and
precipitation trends are good indicators of climate change.
These are some aspects to compare:
Monthly temperatures: Changes to the hottest and coldest monthly
temperatures tell us whether there is a warming or cooling trend.
Temperature ranges: Changes to the temperature range tell us whether
the range is becoming larger, with hotter summers and colder winters,
or whether the range is becoming smaller, with cooler summers and
warmer winters.
Precipitation totals: Changes to precipitation totals tell us whether there
is more or less precipitation.
Precipitation patterns: Changes to precipitation patterns tell us whether
there are drier summers or wetter winters.
Comparing climate graphs for just one location will not give us a very good
understanding of the ways that the climate is changing around the world.
Geographers will compare climate graphs over a wide area and over long
periods of time to create a detailed understanding of the changing climate.
FIGURE 2.13 This graph shows

changes in temperature from 1850
to 2012.
Global Temperature Changes, 18502012

Temperature change
from average (C)
What can precipitation

patterns tell us about
the climate of a
particular place?
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
1850
1900
1950
2000
Years
CHECK-IN
1. INTERRELATIONSHIPS Review Figure 2.8 on
page 54 and explain the global climate system
to a partner in your own words.
2. GATHER AND ORGANIZE Choose one of the climate
regions from Figure 2.11 on pages 56 and 57. Find
more information about that climate type and
places in the world with that climate type. Decide
on an appropriate way to share your information.
NEL
3. PATTERNS AND TRENDS Figure 2.11 shows the

climate regions around the world. Study the map
and think about what you know about the natural
environment. Using your prior knowledge, predict
three factors or forces that might create the
patterns shown on the map.
59

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HOW DO WE

maximum (highest) daily temperature

amount of moisture in the air (relative humidity)

The climate on Earth works as a system. The global climate system,

energy arriving from the Sun

gases and ash from

energy leaving Earth

snow and ice

UNIT 1: Physical Patterns in a Changing World

Climate graphs combine bar and line graphs

Climate Data for Brisbane, Australia

Average monthly temperature (C)

White box in bottom layer.

FIGURE 2.10 Climate data for Brisbane, Australia

HOW TO READ A CLIMATE GRAPH

Determine the precipitation

Determine the temperature range. This is the

As you can see, you need to look at both

CHAPTER 2: Changing Patterns of Climate

(hot with dry season)

polar 2.11 This map

shows climate regions around

(very cold winter)

Iqaluit (63.75N, 68.52W)

White box in bottom layer.

Winnipeg (49.90N, 97.14W)

World Climate Regions

(hot and very dry)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Crowle Art Group

Belm (1.45S, 48.50W)

Yakutsk (62.03N, 129.73E)

White box in bottom layer.

Mashhad (36.30N, 59.60E)

Dubai (25.20N, 55.30E)

CHAPTER 2: Changing Patterns of Climate

Average monthly temperature (C)

HOW TO MAKE A CLIMATE GRAPH

Now draw the right y axis for precipitation.

Make a bar graph to show precipitation.

UNIT 1: Physical Patterns in a Changing World

Make a line graph to show temperature.

Your graph needs two y axes (vertical). Draw the

Add a title above your climate graph, giving the

HOW CLIMATE DATA TELLS US CLIMATE

FIGURE 2.13 This graph shows

Global Temperature Changes, 18502012

What can precipitation

3. PATTERNS AND TRENDS Figure 2.11 shows the

CHAPTER 2: Changing Patterns of Climate

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