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 in your area to the climate in Orlando, Florida 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, we will create a climograph for Wausau, Wisconsin.

Now it is your turn… First, print 2 blank copies of the graph from the next slide.

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

Practice making a climograph for Orlando, Florida Find the climate data (average/mean temperature and precipitation) for Orlando, Florida. Go to www. worldclimate.comwww. worldclimate.com Type Orlando in the Search Box and click on the search button. Click on the Orlando/Jetport/FL., United States of America link. Scroll down to Orlando/Jetport/FL., United States of America

Noticing Precipitation Patterns Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJun.Jul.Aug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec.Year inches Click on the average rainfall link. Take note of any patterns you see: * Note: This website uses the words “average rainfall” instead of “average precipitation”. It is more accurate to use “average precipitation” since this includes all forms of precipitation (such as rain, snow, and sleet).

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 °F Click the back button and scroll down to Orlando/Jetport/FL., United States of America Click on the average temperature link. 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.

Finding the Climate Data for Wausau To find the average temperature and precipitation for Wausau go to Type the name Wausau in the search box and click enter. Be sure to use the data from a location that has both average temperature and average precipitation. You may want to write this data on a piece of paper or print it out.

Graphing the climate in Wausau Using one of the graphs you printed, 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 shown on the left y-axis for graphing average precipitation. Do the same for all the months and for the yearly total. JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear inches

Graphing the Average Temperature for Wausau 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 shown on the right y-axis. Do the same for all the months and for the yearly average. Draw a line connecting the dots from January through December. Do not connect the dot for the year. 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”. JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear °F

Using climographs to compare the climate of Orlando, Florida to the climate of Wausau, Wisconsin: Which are the warmest months in Orlando? Which are the warmest months in Wausau? Which are the coolest months in Orlando? Which are the coolest months in Wausau? Which place has the highest average temperature for the year? Write a sentence comparing the average monthly temperatures in Orlando to the average monthly temperatures in Wausau.

Which are the wettest months in Orlando, Florida? Which are the wettest months in Wausau, Wisconsin? Which place has the highest yearly precipitation? Write a sentence comparing the average yearly precipitation in Orlando with the average yearly precipitation in Wausau.

Something to think about Would the average monthly temperature and the average monthly precipitation be a good way to describe the climate of an area? Why or why not? If you were to live in Orlando, Florida for a year, what changes might you make in your clothing or activities because of the climate?

Just Checking The condition of the atmosphere at a given place and time is called ___________________. The average condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time is called __________________. The two main elements of weather and climate are ___________ and ____________. Another word for average is ________________. Forms of precipitation include ___________________________________________________ ________________________________________________. A graph used to show average temperature and precipitation for a place is called a __________________.