FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CLIMATE WEBQUEST
You are a meteorologist who is studying climate in cities around the world.
You are studying average temperatures, and are finding some interesting trends in the data!
Analyze the evidence, and prepare to discover what influences climate around the world.
I. CONSIDER THE SCIENTIFIC QUESTION
What factors influence average temperatures around the world? Based on your conclusion, what information do
you need to predict average temperature in any city for a certain month?
II. GATHER EVIDENCE
1. Analyze the world map to review latitude.
2. Record the definition of elevation at the top of your data sheet.
3. Visit http://www.weatherbase.com. Type Portage, Indiana in the search box at the top of the web page. On
your data collection sheet, record:
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation
Average Temperature for December
On your data sheet, record the same information for a city in:
Africa
Antarctica
Asia
Australia
Caribbean
Central America
Europe
Middle East
South America
III. DRAW CONCLUSIONS – USE DATA ANALYSIS SHEET
1. Based on your data, what can you conclude about how latitude, longitude, and elevation affect temperature?
Complete the “Observations of Average Temperatures" portion of your "Factors that Influence Climate"
Analysis .
2. After making your prediction about what factors influence temperature, visit the following Web sites, and
then complete the “Research on Climate” portion of your worksheet.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/earth/climate/cli_latitude.html (climate changes with latitude)
http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/weather/A0857393.html (primary factors that affect temperature)
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/jan99/916068933.Es.r.html (effect of elevation on temperature)
IV. CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES
Are there any temperatures that can’t be supported by your hypothesis? What could be explanations for the
cause of these variations? Visit the following Web site to explore possibilities, and then complete the
"Alternative Explanations for Climate" portion of your worksheet.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wseabrze.htm (sea breezes)
http://www.ecn.ac.uk/Education/factors_affecting_climate.htm#Distance%20From%20The%20Sea (factors
affecting climate)
http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/weather/A0857394.html (secondary factors that affect temperature)
V. COMMUNICATE YOUR FINDINGS
Write a letter to the scientific community detailing your remarkable discovery! Be sure to explain your data,
what you believe are the key factors, and why you think these factors influence average temperatures.
VI. ADDITIONAL WEBSITES YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ (NOAA National Weather Service)
http://weathereye.kgan.com/cadet/climate/climate_vs.html (difference between weather and climate)
http://www.jgiesen.de/sunshine/index.htm (sunshine applet)
WORLD TEMPERATURES DATA SHEET
Name of meteorologist: ______________________________
Definition of Elevation -
City
Portage, Indiana
, Africa
, Antarctica
, Asia
, Australia
, Caribbean
, Central America
, Europe
, Middle East
, South America
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation
Avg. Temp:
December
Factors That Influence Climate
Data Analysis
Name of Meteorologist: ____________________________
Date of Research: _________________________________
I.
Observation of Data
a. Does latitude have an effect on average temperatures? What do you notice about cities near the equator?
Why do you think this is?
b. Does elevation have an effect on average temperatures? Compare cities with similar latitudes but different
elevations. What do you notice about cities with higher elevations? Why do you think this is?
II.
Research on Climate
a.. Based on what you read, what is the primary factor affecting climate? Why?
b.. Based on what you read, does elevation affect climate? Why?
III.
Alternative Explanations for Climate
a. List other factors that can influence climate.