Climate Regions
Learning Target(s):
1.) I can describe the difference between weather and climate.
2.) I can identify two elements used to determine climate.
3.) I can create a climograph
4.) I can 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
Hot
Dry
Barrow, AK
Cold
Dry

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 Seattle, WA.
• First, we will learn how to develop a climograph by creating one for Wausau, WI.
• 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 a climograph for Seattle, WA.
• Finally, you will use the two climographs you created to compare the climate in your hometown with the climate in
Seattle, WA.

Practice making a climograph for
Wausau, WI
Find the climate data (average/mean temperature and precipitation) for Wausau, WI.
• Go to www. worldclimate.com

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).
Inches
Jan. Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Year
1 1 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 2.5
2 1 32.5
• 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 Wausau, WI?

To graph the average precipitation :
• Notice the label the y-axis (vertical), on the right side of the graph, with the average precipitation levels in inches.
• 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 1 inch, so we drew a bar over Jan reaching the 1.0 level on the y-axis of the graph. Continue graphing the precipitation data in the same manner for each month and for the year.

100
80
60
40
20
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
Year
0
15
10
5
35
30
25
20
50
45
40
Title
Key

Noticing Temperature Patterns
• Click the back button and scroll down to Wausau, WI.,
United States of America
• Click on the average temperature link.
°F
Jan. Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Year
12 17 29 44 56 65 70 67 58 47 32 18 42
• 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 Wausau, WI?

To graph the average temperature :
• Use the same graph on which you plotted the average precipitation for Wausau, WI.
• Label the y-axis (vertical), on the left 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
12°F, so we placed a dot over Jan at the 12.0 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

100
80
60
40
20
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
Year
0
15
10
5
35
30
25
20
50
45
40
Title
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

100
80
60
40
20
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
Year
0
15
10
5
35
30
25
20
50
45
40
Title: Seattle
Key

Climate Data for Seattle, WA
Month J F M A M J J A S O N D YA
°F 40 43 45 49 55 60 65 66 60 53 45 41 52
Month J F M A M J J A S O N D YA
Inches 5.5
4 4 2.5
2 1.5
1 1 2 3.5
6 6 39 www.worldclimate.com

Graphing the Average Precipitation for
Seattle, WA
• 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 right y-axis for graphing average precipitation. Do the same for all months and the yearly precipitation data.

Graphing the Average Temperature for
Seattle, WA
• 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 left 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 Seattle, WA
• What pattern do you see in the average monthly precipitation for Seattle?
• What pattern do you see in the average monthly temperature for Seattle?

Using climographs to compare the climate of
Seattle, WA to the climate of Wausau:
1. Which are the warmest months in Seattle?
2. Which are the warmest months in Wausau?
3. Which are the coolest months in Seattle?
4. Which are the coolest months in Wausau?
5. Which place has the highest average temperature for the year?
6. Write a sentence comparing the average monthly temperatures in Seattle to the average monthly temperatures in Wausau.

7. Which are the wettest months in Seattle, WA
8. Which are the wettest months in Wausau?
9. Which place has the highest yearly precipitation?
10. Write a sentence comparing the average yearly precipitation in Seattle with the average yearly precipitation in Wausau.

Something to think about…
A. 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?
B. If you were to live in Seattle, WA for a year, what changes might you make in your clothing or activities because of the climate?

How Does the Climate Differ Across the
U.S.?
W
N
E
S
Be a climograph detective!

In the following activity, you will examine the climographs from cities around the United States:
Start by looking at the temperature…
1) When is it the coldest? (January, February, March)?
2) When is it the warmest?
3) Which place has the highest average temperature for the year?
Write a description of the temperature for each location .

Secondly, take a look at the precipitation…
1) Does this place have a wet summer (July, August, Sept)?
2) Does this location have a wet winter?
3) Which place has the climate most similar to the climate of your hometown?
4) Which place has the highest yearly precipitation?
5) Which place has the lowest yearly precipitation?
Then write a description of the precipitation for each location.
Finally, identify the location of each city using the climate map on page 125 in the textbook, Exploring Our World.

Just Checking
1) The condition of the atmosphere at a given place and time is called ___________________.
2) The average condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time is called __________________.
3) The two main elements of weather and climate are
___________ and ____________.
4) Another word for average is ________________.
5) Forms of precipitation include
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________.
6) A graph used to show average temperature and precipitation for a place is called a __________________.