SNC2D1
Name: __________________________
Climate Investigation Activity: Toronto’s Changing Climate
Environment Canada is an agency of the Canadian government that predicts weather, monitors
pollution, provides storm warnings and collects environmental data from 2200 weather stations all
over Canada. The standard for climate data is based on 30 years of collected data, with the ending
year as a decade year (e.g. 1971 – 2000). This standard allows data from cities all over the world to be
compared easily. In the City of Toronto, weather data has been collected since 1940 and the first data
was published for this location as far back as 1864. Constructing climate graphs using this historical
data (1840 – 1859) and modern data (1971-2000) allows us to compare how the climate of Toronto has
changed.
Question: How has Toronto’s climate changed in the last 150 years?
Climate Investigation Skills: Climate Graphs
Climate Graphs plot the average monthly temperature (line graph) and precipitation amounts
(bar graph) on one graph (see example for the fictitious city of Erehwon). These graphs are easier to
interpret than numerical data.
Procedure: Construct 2 separate climate graphs using the data tables on the next page. Construct the
graphs SIDE-BY-SIDE on ONE piece of grid paper. Use the same vertical axis range on both so that the
data can be easily compared. [C 10; 5 per graph]
Steps to Construct a Climate Graph
1. Using graph paper, draw two vertical axes on each side
of the graph. Label the horizontal axes with the months
of the year.
2. Determine the range of temperature data you need to
plot (lowest and highest numbers). Label the vertical
axes with a slightly larger range so all the data will fit.
3. Using a sharp pencil, plot the points for the average
monthly temperatures. Connect these points with a
smooth line.
4. Determine the range of precipitation data you need to
plot. Label the vertical axis on the left side with a slightly
larger range.
5. Plot the average monthly precipitation data as a bar graph.
6. Shade the bars are shaded blue to represent precipitation and the line is drawn in red to
represent temperature.
7. Write a legend and title for the climate graph. The title should include the location and the
time range the data was collected.
Analysis:
1. Study each climate graph. For each set of data, write a paragraph to describe the climate.
[T 8; 4 per paragraph]
2. Compare the two climate graphs. Describe two differences you observe between the climate of
Toronto between 1840-1859 and the climate between 1971-2000. [T 2]
Conclusions:
1. Why is it important for scientists to study data averaged over many years rather than just a
single year? [A 1]
2. What is one natural and one human factor that may have affected the climate of Toronto over
the last 150 years? Be as specific as possible (i.e., pollution is not specific!) [A 2]
3. Scientists use other information to study changes in Toronto’s climate. What is another piece
of evidence that scientists can use to study long-term changes in climate? [A 1]
4. Do you feel that this data allows you to make a conclusion about climate change in Toronto?
a) If you answered “yes”, write a statement to answer the question at the start of this activity.
b) If you answered “no”, explain your response. [A 2]
Table 1: Climate Data for Toronto, ON, 1840 – 1859
Average Monthly
Temperature (oC)
Average Monthly
Precipitation (mm)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
-4.5
-5.9
-1.1
5
10.7
16.2
19.5
18.9
14.4
7.3
2.5
-3.3
36
26
39
63
84
81
89
74
104
67
79
41
Monthly average temperature:
6.6oC
Monthly average precipitation:
65 mm
Table 2: Climate Data for Toronto, ON, 1971-2000
Average Monthly
Temperature (oC)
Average Monthly
Precipitation (mm)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
-4.2
-3.2
1.3
7.6
14.2
19.2
22.2
21.3
17.0
10.6
4.8
-0.9
61
51
66
70
73
72
68
80
83
65
76
71
Monthly average temperature:
Evaluation:
Communication
/10
10.3oC
Thinking
Monthly average precipitation:
/10
Application
70 mm
/6