This PowerPoint presentation will help you learn
how to create a climograph and how to use
climographs to compare climates in different places.
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.
Definitions taken from infoplease.com
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
Cool
Moist
Houston, TX
Warm
Moist
Phoenix, AZ
Barrow, AK
Hot
Dry
Cold
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 Chongqing,
China
• 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 one climograph for Chongqing, China
and another for your hometown.
• Finally, you will use the two climographs you created to
compare the climate in your hometown with the climate in
Chongqing, China.
Practice making a climograph for
Orlando, Florida
Find the climate data (average/mean temperature and
precipitation) for Orlando, Florida.
• Go to www. 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
• 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).
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Year
mm
54.6
72.6
86.5
60.0
83.5
72.6
97.3
68.1
66.3
79.3
52.1
53.0
1247.8
inches
2.1
2.9
3.4
2.4
3.3
6.8
7.8
6.6
6.5
3.1
2.1
2.1
49.1
• Is there more precipitation in the summer months (July,
August, September) or the winter months (January,
February, March)?
• What other patterns do you see in the average
precipitation data for Orlando, Florida?
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 yaxis of the graph. Continue graphing the precipitation data in the same manner for each
month and for the year.
Noticing Temperature Patterns
• Click the back button and scroll down to
Orlando/Jetport/FL., United States of America
• Click on the average temperature link.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Year
°C
15.5
16.6
19.2
21.9
25.1
27.3
28.0
28.0
27.2
23.8
19.7
16.6
22.4
°F
59.9
61.9
66.6
71.4
77.2
81.1
82.4
82.4
81.0
74.8
67.5
61.9
72.3
• 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?
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.
Key
Now it is your turn…
First, print 2 blank copies of the graph from the next slide.
50
Average Precipitation in Inches
45
Average Temperature in Degree Fahrenheit
120
100
40
35
80
30
25
60
20
40
15
10
20
5
0
0
J F M A M J
J A S O N D
Month
Year
TITLE
KEY
Finding the Climate Data for Chongqing, China
• To find the climate data (average temperature and
precipitation) for Chongqing, China, go to
http://www.worldclimate.com.
• Type Chongqing in the search box and click enter.
• Click on Chongqing, China.
• Be sure to click on both average rainfall and average
precipitation data for Chongqing, China. You may want to
write this data on a piece of paper or print it out.
Graphing the Average Precipitation for
Chongqing, China
• 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 on the left y-axis for graphing average
precipitation. Do the same for all months and the yearly
precipitation data.
Graphing the Average Temperature for
Chongqing, China
• 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 on the right
y-axis. Do the same for all months and the yearly total.
Draw a line connecting the dots from January to
December.
• 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”.
Climate Patterns in Chongqing, China
• What pattern do you see in the average
monthly precipitation for Chongqing?
• What pattern do you see in the average
monthly temperature for Chongqing?
Finding the Climate Data for Your Hometown
• To find the average temperature and precipitation for your
hometown go to http://www.worldclimate.com.
• Type the name of your hometown in the search box and
click enter.
• You may not find your hometown. If your hometown is
not listed go to a larger city near your home.
• 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 your hometown
• 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.
Graphing the Average Temperature for Your
Hometown
• 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”.
Using climographs to compare the climate of
Chongqing, China to the climate of your
hometown:
• Which are the warmest months in Chongqing, China?
• Which are the warmest months in your hometown?
• Which are the coolest months in Chongqing, China?
• Which are the coolest months in your hometown?
• Which place has the highest average temperature for the
year?
• Write a sentence comparing the average monthly
temperatures in Chongqing to the average monthly
temperatures in your hometown.
• Which are the wettest months in Chongqing, China?
• Which are the wettest months in your hometown?
• Which place has the highest yearly precipitation?
• Write a sentence comparing the average yearly
precipitation in Chongqing with the average yearly
precipitation in your hometown.
Something to think about
• Would the average yearly temperature and the average
yearly precipitation be a good way to describe the climate
of an area?
Why or why not?
• If you were to live in Chongqing, China for a year, what
changes might you make in your clothing or activities
because of the climate?
How Does the Climate Differ Across China?
N
W
E
S
There are 5 cities listed on the map above: Harbin, Beijing,
Guangzhou, Fengdu and Kashi. In the next activity, you will create a
series of climographs to compare the climates of these cities.
First, print the next three slides, including the blank
climograph and climate data charts.
50
Average Precipitation in Inches
45
Average Temperature in Degree Fahrenheit
120
100
40
35
80
30
25
60
20
40
15
10
20
5
0
0
J F M A M J
J A S O N D
Month
Year
Title
Key
Harbin, China
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug
.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec
.
Year
Average
Temperature (°F)
-3.2
4.3
22.6
42.8
57.4
67.6
73.4
70.3
57.7
42.1
21.0
3.2
37.9
Average
Precipitation (in.)
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.9
1.7
3.5
6.1
4.6
2.4
1.1
0.4
0.2
21.8
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug
.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec
.
Year
Average
Temperature (°F)
23.7
28.8
40.5
56.5
68.0
75.9
78.8
76.5
67.6
54.7
39.0
27.3
53.2
Average
Precipitation (in.)
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.7
1.3
3.1
8.8
6.7
2.3
0.7
0.4
0.1
25.0
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug
.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec
.
Year
Average
Temperature (°F)
56.3
57.7
63.5
71.1
77.9
81.1
82.9
82.8
80.8
75.2
66.9
59.5
71.4
Average
Precipitation (in.)
1.6
2.7
3.8
6.7
10.4
10.4
9.7
9.1
6.2
2.5
1.6
1.2
66.1
Beijing, China
Guangzhou, China
Fengdu, China
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug
.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec
.
Year
Average
Temperature (°F)
46.6
49.6
57.9
66.4
73.0
77.9
84.0
84.4
75.9
66.2
57.7
49.6
65.8
Average
Precipitation (in.)
0.7
0.8
1.5
3.7
5.8
6.8
5.9
5.0
5.7
4.1
1.9
0.9
43.0
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug
.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec
.
Year
Average
Temperature (°F)
21.2
29.8
45.7
59.4
67.6
74.5
78.3
75.9
67.1
53.8
37.9
25.0
53.1
Average
Precipitation (in.)
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
2.5
Kashi, China
• After printing out the previous slides, make 5 copies of the
blank climograph.
• Plot the climate data for each of the cities on a different
climograph.
• Be sure to put a title and a key on each climograph.
Use the graph you just created to compare the
climate in different cities across China:
• Which place has the lowest average temperature for the year?
• Which place has the coldest winter (January, February, March)?
• Which place has the warmest winter (January, February, March)?
• Which place has the highest average temperature for the year?
• Which place has the hottest summer (July, August, Sept)?
• Which place has the coolest summer (July, August, Sept)?
• Which place has the highest yearly precipitation?
• Which place has the wettest summer (July, August, Sept)?
• Which place has the wettest winter (January, February, March)?
• Which place has the climate most similar to the climate of your
hometown?
• Which place has the lowest yearly precipitation?
Describing Patterns
Look at the map of China on slide 25 and at the climographs
you have created
Which parts of China are the coldest? …warmest?
Which parts of China are the driest? …wettest?
What patterns can you see in the climate of China?
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 __________________.