Constructing and Analyzing Climate Graphs

What is a Climate Graph? A climate graph combines a bar and line graph It shows the average temperature and precipitation for each month in a given place

Creating Climate Graphs The title of the area is shown at the top of the graph The months of the year are listed along the bottom, with a single letter Average monthly temperature is graphed on the left shown as a red line graph Average monthly precipitation is graphed on the right shown as a series of blue bar graphs

Average Annual Temperature Indicates a warm or cool climate Ex. Toronto = 8.9ºC Yellowknife = -5.2ºC To calculate average annual temperature Add up the average temperature for each month and divide by 12

Temperature Range Indicates a Continental or Maritime climate Continental = more than 25ºC Maritime = less than 25ºC To calculate temperature range Find the number of degrees between the coldest temperature and the warmest temperature. Warmest # - Coldest #

Total Precipitation Indicates a Continental or Maritime climate Continental = less than 1000 mm Maritime = more than 1000 mm To calculate total precipitation Add up the average precipitation for each month

Distribution of Precipitation Three possibilities: Summer max. = Continental Winter max. = Maritime (West Coast) Even. = Maritime (East Coast)

TORONTO, ON J F M A S O N D °C -5 -4 1 8 13 19 22 21 17 11 5 -2 CM 6.5 5.5 7.0 8.0 6.0