This PowerPoint presentation will help you learn how to create a climograph and how to use climographs to compare climates in different places.

Definitions taken from infoplease.cominfoplease.com Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given place and time. For example, right now, the temperature in Chicago, Illinois may be 56°F with rain.

Climate is the average condition of the atmosphere (such as temperature or precipitation) over a long period of time. For example, the average temperature over the past 40 years for the month of February may be 32°F. The average precipitation is 2.8 inches. Climate is the average of weather conditions in a place.

Just as the weather differs from day to day, the climate differs from place to place. Seattle, WA Houston, TX Phoenix, AZBarrow, AK Cool Warm Hot Cold Moist Moist Dry Dry

Just Checking 1.What is weather? 2.What is climate? 3.How are weather and climate different?

Two important elements of weather and climate are: precipitation and temperature Precipitation includes all forms of moisture falling to the surface of the earth. (Examples: rain, sleet, snow, hail) Temperature is how warm or cool the air is outside. * In this activity, mean temperature/precipitation is the same as average temperature/precipitation. Mean=Average

In the following activity you will compare the climate of five different areas of China First, we will learn how to develop a climograph by looking at an example for Orlando, Florida. A climograph is a graph that displays average (mean) precipitation and temperature for an area. A climograph is used to compare the climate in different places. Next, you will make climographs for five cities in China and your host city.

Practice making a climograph for Orlando, Florida Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec.Year mm inches Is there more precipitation in the summer months (July, August, September) or the winter months (January, February, March)? What other patterns do you see in the average precipitation data for Orlando, Florida?

To graph the average precipitation: Label the x-axis (horizontal) with the months (Jan.-Dec.) and include a space for the yearly average precipitation. Label the y-axis (vertical), on the left side of the graph, with the average precipitation levels in inches. Next, plot the average precipitation for Jan. by drawing a bar over “Jan” reaching up to the amount of precipitation listed for that month. For our example, the Jan. average precipitation was 2.1 inches, so we drew a bar over Jan reaching the 2.1 level on the y- axis of the graph. Continue graphing the precipitation data in the same manner for each month and for the year.

Noticing Temperature Patterns Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec.Year °C °F Is it hotter in the summer (July, August, September) or in the winter months (January, February, March)? What other patterns do you see in the average temperature data for Orlando, Florida?

Key To graph the average temperature: Use the same graph on which you plotted the average precipitation for Orlando, FL. Label the y-axis (vertical), on the right side of the graph, with the average temperature levels in degrees Fahrenheit. Next, plot the average temperature for Jan. by placing a dot over Jan at the average temperature listed for that month. For our example, the January average temperature was 59.9°F, so we placed a dot over Jan at the 59.9 level on the y-axis of the graph. Continue graphing the remaining temperature data in the same manner for each month and for the year. Last, connect the dots by drawing a line from the dot for January and continue through the dot for December. Do not connect the dot for the year.

Key A climograph includes both the average precipitation and the average temperature data. Your climograph should look like the one below. Be sure to include a title for your graph and a key showing the symbols that represent the average precipitation and the average temperature.

Now it is your turn… First, copy 6 blank copies of the graph from the next slide. It is best to do this in a word document; otherwise you may have trouble uploading another type of file to turnitin.com

Key Title Average Precipitation in Inches Month Average Temperature in Degree Fahrenheit J F M A M J J A S O N D Year

Finding the Climate Data for your host city To find the climate data (average temperature and precipitation) for your host city go to Type the host city name in the search box and click enter. Be sure to click on both average rainfall and average precipitation data for your host city. You may want to write this data on a piece of paper or print it out.

Graphing the Average Precipitation for your host city Using one of the graphs you copied, plot the average precipitation data. For example, using the precipitation amount for January, create a bar above the J reaching up to the amount of precipitation listed for that month. Be sure to use the scale on the left y-axis for graphing average precipitation. Do the same for all months and the yearly precipitation data.

Graphing the Average Temperature for your host city Next, using the same graph, plot the average temperature data. For example, using the temperature information for January, place a dot above the J using the scale on the right y-axis. Do the same for all months and the yearly total. Draw a line connecting the dots from January to December. Be sure to put a title at the top of your climograph in the box labeled “title”and a key in the box labeled “key”.

Climate Patterns in your host city. What pattern do you see in the average monthly precipitation for your host city? What pattern do you see in the average monthly temperature for your host city?

How Does the Climate Differ Across China? There are 5 cities listed on the map above: Harbin, Beijing, Guangzhou, Fengdu and Kashi. In the next activity, you will create a series of climographs to compare the climates of these cities. N S EW

First, copy the next three slides, including the blank climograph and climate data charts.

Key Title Average Precipitation in Inches Month Average Temperature in Degree Fahrenheit J F M A M J J A S O N D Year

Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug. Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec. Year Average Temperature (°F) Average Precipitation (in.) Harbin, China Beijing, China Guangzhou, China Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug. Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec. Year Average Temperature (°F) Average Precipitation (in.) Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug. Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec. Year Average Temperature (°F) Average Precipitation (in.)

Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug. Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec. Year Average Temperature (°F) Average Precipitation (in.) Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug. Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec. Year Average Temperature (°F) Average Precipitation (in.) Fengdu, China Kashi, China

After copying the previous slides, make 5 copies of the blank climograph. Plot the climate data for each of the cities on a different climograph. Be sure to put a title and a key on each climograph.

1. Which place has the lowest average temperature for the year? 2. Which place has the coldest winter (January, February, March)? 3. Which place has the warmest winter (January, February, March)? 4. Which place has the highest average temperature for the year? 5. Which place has the hottest summer (July, August, Sept)? 6. Which place has the coolest summer (July, August, Sept)? Use the graph you just created to compare the climate in different cities across China and your host city:

7. Which place has the highest yearly precipitation? 8. Which place has the wettest summer (July, August, Sept)? 9. Which place has the wettest winter (January, February, March)? 10. Which place has the climate most similar to the climate of your hometown? 11. Which place has the lowest yearly precipitation? 12. How does it compare to your host city?