© KCL/PENTECH/WCED 2000 Day length Rainfall 1. The following graph indicates the rainfall patterns for the Western Cape through the year. Rainfall for the year 1999 DESCRIBE the rainfall pattern through the seasons of the year JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Months Rainfall in mm.

© KCL/PENTECH/WCED 2000 Day length Rainfall Sipho and Thandeka live in Crossroads near Cape Town with their parents and grandmother. In winter it rains a lot in the Western Cape. The children are interested in checking how much rain falls over a one-week period near their house. The children decide to make a rain gauge. This is an instrument that can be used to collect and measure rainwater. 2. MAKE A LABELLED DIAGRAM to show what their rain gauge looks like. Sipho and Thandeka made a second rain gauge so that they had one each. DISCUSS AND DECIDE in your group where would be the best place for the children to place their rain gauges around the house. HAVE REASONS for your choice. Find a large empty (2 litre) plastic cool drink bottle. Cut off the top third of the bottle with scissors. Turn the top part upside down and put it back in the top of the bottle to form a funnel. Use a ruler and felt-tip permanent pen to mark the outside of the bottle. Start at the bottom making marks 5mm apart up to a height of 10cm. They followed these instructions to construct their own home made rain gauge.

© KCL/PENTECH/WCED 2000 Day length Rainfall 3. The rainwater which fell on each of the next five days was measured in a measuring cylinder. TAKE READINGS of the amount of water collected each day. MondayTuesday WednesdayThursdayFriday Amount of water in ml PLOT a bar chart of your readings

© KCL/PENTECH/WCED 2000 Day length Rainfall Sipho decided to place his rain gauge on one side of the house and Thandeka placed hers on the other side as shown in the picture. West East LOOK at the DIAGRAM. DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN what has happened after one week. 4. HYPOTHESISE how the results may be different in the summer? Sipho’s rain gauge on the west side of the house Thandeka’s rain gauge on the east side of the house

© KCL/PENTECH/WCED 2000 Day length Rainfall 5. This graph compares rainfall in the Gauteng with the Western Cape during 1999 Rainfall for the year 1999 Which is the wettest month in each province? Which is the driest month in each province? In which month is there the greatest difference in rainfall between the two provinces? What is the rainfall for the month of October in each province? Which province has the best weather conditions for outdoor activities during the December holidays? JanMarMayJulSepNov Rainfall in mm Western Cape Gauteng