Constructing and Analyzing Climate Graphs

Toronto, Ontario

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J F M A M J J A S O N D

Months

Pre

cip

itati

on

(m

m)

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-5

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25

Tem

pera

ture

(C

)

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 M J J A S O N D

°C -5 -4 1 8 13 19 22 21 17 11 5 -2

CM 6.5 6 5.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 8.0 6.0 6.0 6.5 6.0 6.0