Case study: graphically displayed statistical weather data
698 Bruski : Project 2
Laura A. Huisinga
Graphs and charts flood our daily lives. When graphics are used properly they convey
complex data in a simplified visual display so the viewer can quickly digest the content.
However when graphics are used poorly they can skew, misrepresent the data. Some graphs
may not be misrepresenting the data but through their sheer complexity and lack of clarity the
viewer may receive false information. Even flat out failing to understand how to interpret the
data.
Graphs are a kind of universal language visually displayin the data to transcend various
barriers. “The Principles of analytical design are universal – like mathematics. The law of Nature,
the deep structure of language – and are not tied to any particular language, culture, style,
century, gender, or technology of information display.” (Tufte Beautiful Evidence)
Chart One
The graph below was taken from Edward Tufte Visual Display of Quantitative
Information p27. It was originally published in the New York Times January 11, 1981. p.32.
As the title of the graph suggests it is a visual display for New York city’s weather patterns for
the year 1980. This particular weather chart shows the actual temperature and the comparison
of the actual temperature to the normal temperature at that time of year. Also listed at the
bottom is a chart showing the relative humidity levels per day at noon. The chart is divided into
months both a point graph and a bar graph are used. the Point graph allows the viewer to asses
the spikes and drops in temperature through the month while the bar graph shows the overall
tempether for that month in comparison to the norm for that month. Edward Tufte reminds the
reader that graphs should be reserved for displaying complex data. He states in regards to the
below graph “This distinguished graphic successfully organizes a large collection of numbers,
makes comparisons between different parts of the data, and tells a story” (Tufte, Visual Displays
of Quantitative Information, p27).
Chart Two
The second chart seen above shows the history of Tokyo, Japans climate for a decade. This
chart was taken from Edward Tufte’s Envisioning Information. It was redrawn from Kisho
Nenkan 1984, The Meteorology Agency and Japan Meteorology Association. This chart shows
the viewer a whole decade of climate data divided into observations for each year, month and
day. the viewer can easily take in the measurements for a fine grain measurement of time or a
coarser look at an over all month or year. The key to the top right denotes what kind of climate
occurred on each day. While the chard is small the symbols used to denote the climate are
simple and easy to read. However if an older individual especially someone with failing eyes
tried to read this graph they may have some issues getting the circle with the line the symbol for
Fair weather confused with the symbol for cloudy weather, (the circle with the c in it.) Another
potential confusion is the small solid dot denoting light rain is about the same size as the
asterisk denoting snow. The symbol for light rain vs rain is easily distinguishable based on size
contrast even though the symbol of a solid dot is used for both.
When these two graphs are compared there are some major similarities and differences.
Both are looking at weather patterns over a course of time for a specific region. Graph One only
shows the data for one year displaying the exact temperature daily as well as a monthly
comparison to the norm. Lastly it also shows the daily humidity at noon. Graph One is visually
intuitive to read. Even if someone couldn’t read English they could probably figure out what this
graph was charting. Graph Two on the other hand is a bit of a different beast. Spanning a whole
decade of weather for one city this graph displays if the weather was clear, fair, cloudy, light rain,
rain, or snowing. If this chart is displayed too small there are some issues with distinguishing
the different symbols however if viewed large enough it is a non-issue. “High-information
graphics, such as this, convey a spirit of quantitative depth and sense of statistical integrity”
(Tufte, Envisioning Information). Even though both charts are displaying complex data about the
weather they are visually depicted in very different ways. Graph One uses a point and line graph
in combination with a bar graph while Graph Two uses symbols organized into a chart to display
the information. Both graphs seem to offer solid solutions to portraying complex data, in visually
very different ways.
Bibliography
Tufte, Edward. 2006. Beautiful Evidence. Connecticut: Graphic Press LLC.
Tufte, Edward. 2001. Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Connecticut: Graphic Press
LLC.
Tufte, Edward. 1990. Envisioning Information. Connecticut: Graphic Press LLC.