Climatological Data for Tucson
Name:_______________________________
Score:__________/25
Date:_________________Period:________
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) collects daily climatological
data around the country, including for Tucson. Use the appropriate graphs and/or charts to
answer the questions that follow.
Local Climatological Data for Tucson, 2013
Annual Summary with Comparative Data
1. On the Daily Max/Min Temperature graph, the vertical bars represent the daily maximum
and minimum temperatures. The highest maximum and minimum temperatures for 2013
occurred in [(April-May); (June-July); (August-Sept)]. The hottest day in of the year
reached a high of approximately [(100); (105); (110)] degrees Fahrenheit. The normal high
temperature for that day, represented by the upper solid line, is approximately
[(90); (100); (110)] degrees F. In general, the difference between the daily maximum and
minimum temperatures for Tucson is in the range of [(0 to 5ºF); (5 to 10ºF); (15 to 30ºF)].
2. Look at the Daily Precipitation chart. The month in which Tucson received the most
precipitation for 2013 was [(June); (July); (August)]. The greatest single rainfall event
occurred in November, when [(1.0); (2.0); (1.2)] inches of rain was measured. Throughout
the year, Tucson received at least 0.2 inches of precipitation on about
[(10-15); (30-35); (45-50)] days.
3. The Daily Station Pressure indicates actual air pressure measurements in Tucson. Typically,
high pressure indicates stable weather, and low pressure indicates the unstable weather
(ex. stormy or windy weather). Based on this information, the weather in Tucson seems to
be more stable during the [(spring-summer); (fall-winter)] months, and less stable during
the [(spring-summer); (fall-winter)].
Precipitation and Temperature Data for Tucson, 1984 – 2013
There are two tables of data provided. The first shows monthly and annual precipitation totals
in Tucson from 1984 through 2013. The second shows average monthly and annual
temperatures in Tucson for the same period.
4. Study the precipitation data table. The total amount of rainfall in October 2000 in Tucson
was [(4.98); (0.69); (1.36)] inches. In 2013, the month with the lowest total precipitation was
[(March); (May); (October)]. Based on the data for the period of record (POR), Tucson
typically gets the most rainfall during the month of [(January); (April); (July); (September)]
and the least rainfall during the month of [(February); (April); (May); (June)].
5. Study the Average Temperature data table. The temperatures listed represent the
average of the daily high and low temperatures for each month. Based on the data for
the period of record (POR), Tucson’s highest average temperatures typically occur in
[(June); (July); (August); (September)], and the lowest average temperatures typically
occur in [(November); (December); (January); (February)].
Normals, Means, and Extremes for Tucson
6. Look at the temperature data shown. The normal daily maximum for December is
[(64.8); (84.8); (83.1)] degrees F, and the normal daily minimum for December is
[(39.1); (46.1); (55.7)] degrees F. The highest normal daily maximum occurs in
[(June); (July); (August)].
7. The highest daily maximum recorded was [(109); (114); (117)] degrees F and occurred in
[(June 1990); (July 1995); (October 2010)].
8. Dew point is an indicator of the amount of moisture in the air. The higher the dew point
temperature, the more moisture the air contains. Look at the data for mean dew point in
the temperature section of the table. Based on this information, Tucson’s air is most humid
during [(July); (August); (September)].
9. Find the section for precipitation. Tucson’s rainiest month is normally in August, when we
average about [(0.94); (2.25); (2.39)] inches of rain. The normal average rainfall for a year
in Tucson is [(15.53); (11.59); (10.51)] inches. The maximum amount of rainfall in a 24-hour
time period was 3.93 inches, and occurred in [(August, 1955); (June, 1983); (July, 1958)].
Average Temperature Graphs for Tucson
Three graphs showing average temperature data dating back to 1984 for Tucson are
presented. The first shows average annual temperatures; the second shows average July
temperatures; and the third shows average January temperatures.
10. The average annual temperature in Tucson [(is extremely consistent);
(shows some variability); (varies so much as to be unpredictable)].
11. The average annual temperatures for Tucson range from a low of [(68.1); (84.0); (48.4)]
degrees F to a high of [(90.6); (71.5); (58.5)] degrees F, a difference of [(3.4); (6.6); (10.1)]
degrees. The difference between the highest and lowest average July temperatures is
[(3.4); (6.6); (10.1)] degrees; while the difference between the highest and lowest average
January temperatures is [(3.4); (6.6); (10.1)] degrees. This shows that, since 1984, Tucson
experiences greater variability in temperatures [(in January); (on an average annual
basis); (in July)].
In general, average temperatures in Tucson vary from year to year. This is an example of
normal climate variability.
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Temperature ºF
Average Annual Temperatures - Tucson
72
71.5
71
70.5
70
69.5
69
68.5
68
67.5
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
Year
Average July Temperatures - Tucson
91
Temperature ºF
90
89
88
87
86
85
84
83
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
Year
Average January Temperatures - Tucson
60
Temperature ºF
58
56
54
52
50
48
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Year
2005
2010
2015
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