Investigating Historical Temperature Extreme Records by State in the USA Using
ArcGIS Online
Your Name: _________________
Summary
This activity uses ArcGIS Online, a Webbased Geographic Information System (GIS)
(www.arcgis.com) as a tool for analyzing
the historical temperature extremes by
state in the USA from a spatial perspective.
Level and Disciplines
This activity is written for secondary level
but can be modified for the primary or
university levels. It can be used in formal or
informal educational settings and in an
independent or whole-class format. It can
be used in geography, mathematics,
environmental studies, biology, or earth
science courses.
Map showing historical record extreme temperatures
by state in the USA, with high extremes in red and low
extremes in blue. This is the central investigation and
the map and data that will be examined in this activity.
Skills and Content
Skills and content involved: 1) Analyzing
spatial patterns and processes; 2)
Investigating high and low historical temperature extremes and their relationship to latitude, altitude,
seasons, proximity to coasts, and other factors.
Prerequisites
No previous experience with GIS is necessary. However, (1) the geographic perspective is important,
and (2) a background in the topic investigated would be helpful; at a minimum, a short discussion on the
processes and phenomenon studied in each investigation should be held at the beginning; such as
“What factors are important in the climate and weather of the USA? What influence do seasons have
on the location of and value of temperature extremes?”
Computer and Time Requirements
(1) Web browser; (2) A decent Internet connection. Can be run in a computer lab setting, with students
bringing their own tablets/laptops/devices, or with 1 computer in front of the class with a projector.
Time Required: 2-3 hours. 51 questions.
Data Description
Data layers include low historical extremes by state, and high historical extremes by state, on a light gray
Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 1 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
canvas basemap. This basemap can be changed to one showing topography, cultural features such as
states, cities, and highways, a satellite image, or other data. The temperature extreme data comes from
USA Today, on: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wext.htm. These questions and the data sets
were compiled with the grateful assistance of a stellar secondary school student.
Introduction
Access ArcGIS Online (www.arcgis.com/home). Start a new map and search for “high and low historical
temperature extremes owner:jjkerski”. Be sure to accurately enter this entire search string. In the
resulting search window, click below the thumbnail map that appears and select “open in ArcGIS.com
map viewer.” The map should open in your web browser. Alternatively, go directly to the map at the
following URL: http://bit.ly/Ncnhvz
Map Description
This map is a dynamic map displayed in a web-based GIS called ArcGIS Online. It shows the locations of
places that recorded a high or low temperature extreme in each state. Therefore, at least 2 cities are
shown in each state: The city with the lowest temperature ever recorded, and the city with the highest
temperature ever recorded. For example, in Colorado, Bennett is shown with its record high of 118 F
and Maybell with its record low of -61. However, occasionally, a tie in the high or low extreme occurred,
and in those instances, all occurrences will be shown. For example, both Cumberland Maryland and
Frederick Maryland are shown, because they tied for the record high in the state. Note that in the rare
instance where a high or low occurred that was not listed as a geolocatable city or town, the nearest city
or town was used.
The high and low temperatures are symbolized by red and blue suns, respectively. The size of the dot
indicates the temperature, classified as quantile with the higher temperatures symbolized with a larger
dot size. As you click on the locations where an extreme temperature was recorded, the top right
corner of the resulting popup box contains an arrow if that specific location experienced a temperature
extreme more than once. To see the additional extreme temperature(s) for that location, click on that
arrow.
Notice that the bookmarks allow you to quickly zoom to specific areas of the country, but you can also
use the middle mouse button if you have it, or the zoom tool on the left side of the map, or you may use
the shift key and the mouse to band a box on the map and zoom to the area specified in that box.
Investigation
1) Examine the map as displayed in ArcGIS Online. Do any of the locations showing high and low
temperature extremes surprise you? Why or why not?
2) What spatial patterns do you notice about the record high temperatures in the USA?
3) Think about what you know about climate and elevation in the USA. Give at least 2 reasons why the
high temperature patterns may exist.
Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 2 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
4) What spatial pattern do you notice about the record low temperatures in the USA?
5) Give at least 2 reasons why these record low patterns may exist.
Use the bookmarks to move to Hawaii.
6) Does it make sense that the highest temperature on Hawaii occurred on the state’s largest island?
Why or why not?
The lowest temperature on Hawaii is given as “Hilo” because that was the nearest locatable city in the
database. However, the actual location for the record low on Hawaii occurred at Mauna Kea. To see
Mauna Kea, change the base map to topographic and observe Mauna Kea.
7) What is the elevation of Mauna Kea? Does it make sense how it could get so cold here, even though
Mauna Kea is in Hawaii?
Use Bookmarks to move to Alaska.
8) In Alaska, where did the high and low extreme occur? Does the coast have an influence on the
extreme temperatures in Alaska?
9) Does this extreme temperature records map give enough information to give you an idea of a
location’s average year-round temperature? Why or why not?
10) Zoom to Warsaw, Missouri, where both a low and a high temperature both occurred. How could
both a low and a high temperature occur in the same place?
11) Some very cold temperatures have occurred in places usually associated with hot weather, such as
Arizona and Texas. Does this surprise you or not? Explain why.
12) Which region of the country (Southwest, Northwest, Mountain West, Midwest, New England,
South Central, Southeast, Alaska, or Hawaii) has the highest extreme temperatures? Why do you think
this is?
13) Which region of the country (Southwest, Northwest, Mountain West, Midwest, New England,
South Central, Southeast, Alaska, or Hawaii) has the lowest extreme temperatures? Why do you think
this is?
14) Out of all of the low temperatures, which state experienced the lowest low extreme temperature?
Why?
15) Which state experienced the highest low extreme temperature; i.e. the low temperature that was
the least severe? Why?
Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 3 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
16) Which state experienced the highest high extreme temperature? Why?
17) Which state experienced the lowest high extreme temperature; i.e. the high temperature that was
the least severe? Why?
Examining Climate, Latitude, Altitude, and Proximity to Coasts
18) Think about the effect of oceans on extreme temperatures. Why do few extreme temperatures
occur near the coasts?
19) Compare the high and low temperature extremes between states that have a wetter climate and
states that have a drier climate. What do you notice? Do you have any ideas why this might be?
20) What difference does proximity to the ocean have on high temperatures? On low temperatures?
Why?
21) What difference does elevation have on temperatures in the USA? Why?
22) What differences exist between the value of Alaska extreme temperatures and those in the
continental USA or in Hawaii? Why?
23) Explain the following statement in the context of this data: Latitude matters.
Use the topographic map to answer the following question:
24) Explain the following statement in the context of the data: Altitude matters.
25) In which three states would you say that altitude has the greatest effect on the low temperatures?
Seasonal Variation
26) Examine the month and day in which the low temperature extremes occurred by clicking on a
sample of locations and examining the popup box. In what months were the low temperatures most
common? In what seasons of the year were they recorded?
27) Examine the month and day in which the high temperature extremes occurred by clicking on a
sample of locations and examining the popup box. In what months were the high temperatures most
common? In what seasons of the year were they recorded?
28) Can you find any anomalies in the high and low extremes as to when they occurred; that is, were
any of the highs outside the summer months, and were any of the lows outside the winter months?
Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 4 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
29) Note the years in which the extremes occurred. Based on your analysis, would you say that extreme
highs or lows are becoming more common than in the past, less common, or about the same?
30) Use Bookmarks and zoom to the Central USA. Examine a few of the high temperature locations in
the Central USA; in particular, examine New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, and
Nebraska. What do you know about a historical event in the Central USA that triggered a population
decline and a migration to states like California? How many high temperatures can you find that were
set during this historical period?
31) Use the data in the map to compile graph of extreme temperatures and the dates when they
occurred. In your opinion, does this data indicate that the climate is becoming warmer, or cooler, or do
you have enough evidence to determine this?
Data Recording
Think about the placement of thermometers in relationship to buildings, pavement, in the shade vs. in
the direct sunlight, wind, and other factors.
32) What factors do you think influences the temperature recorded by individual thermometers? What
steps could be taken to ensure that all of the temperatures were taken with uniform instruments and
placement of those instruments?
Actual versus “Felt” Temperature
33) Think about your own experiences outside. What factors make the temperature feel hotter or
colder than the actual temperature reading?
34) Of any of the hottest temperatures on your map, where do you think it actually felt hottest? Of any
of the coldest temperatures, where do you think it actually felt coldest?
Cities and Extreme Temperatures
Examine large cities on your map. You may need to reference an external data set or map if you need
help in determining if a city has over 1,000,000 people.
35) Did any city over 1,000,000 people experience a high or low record temperature?
36) How does temperature and climate affect population settlement? Do you think more people live,
based on this map, in areas where high extremes were recorded, or where low extremes were
recorded?
37) Are there differences in the climate between the cities in Alaska, Minnesota, and Colorado where
the cold temperatures occurred? If so, what are they? Why do these differences occur?
Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 5 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
38) Are there differences in the climate between the cities in Texas, Florida, and Hawaii where the hot
temperatures occurred? If so, what are they? Why do these differences occur?
Your Personal Reflections
39) How would you characterize the climate of the state in which you live?
40) What is the extreme high and low temperature in the state in which you live?
41) Using the measure tool, indicate how close you live to the high and low temperature extreme for
your state, making sure you indicate the units (miles or kilometers) that you are using. In other words,
measure from your city to the location where the high and low temperature occurred.
42) How would you characterize the climate of the city in which you live?
43) Have you ever experienced a "record temperature" day? What was your experience like?
44) Do you think that temperature extremes affect daily life more or less today than they did 100 years
ago? Why? Be sure to support your answer.
45) What is one record temperature on the map that you think will never be broken? Why?
46) Would you rather live in a cold climate or a hot climate? Why? Give at least 2 reasons.
47) Do you think living in a cold climate or a hot climate uses more energy per person? Explain.
Synthesis
48) Name two things you have learned about temperature extremes, weather, climate, seasons, or any
other content through the above investigations.
49) Name two things you have learned about maps and GIS through any of the above investigations.
50) How has the spatial perspective about temperature extremes influenced your understanding of it?
51) If time permits, use the presentation mode in ArcGIS Explorer Online to create a presentation of
your own choosing where you explain what you have learned about a specific aspect about the extreme
temperatures. Give your presentation to your peers, save it, and share it with others.
Additional Exploration
Map worldwide extreme temperatures and analyze the resulting patterns. For example, using data from
the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_weather_records#Other_warm_records ,
Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 6 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
work (alone or with a partner or group) to create a CSV file containing the data. It should have the
following format:
City, Country, HighTempC, Year
Illizi, Algeria, 51, 2011
Kandi, Benin, 44.5,
(Note that the year for the high in Benin was not provided in the database).
Another resource is:
http://www.meteorologyclimate.com/extreme-temperature-records.htm,
Or, find an alternative resource. The most important things are to use a reliable source, and to use a
source that will involve a minimal amount of editing on your part to get it into a CSV format.
Add your newly created data to the map you have been working with by Adding and then navigate to
your file stored on your local computer. Analyze the pattern of worldwide extreme temperatures.
What patterns do you note around the world?
To save the map with your added data, you will need to have an account on ArcGIS Online and be logged
into that account.
You have explored many aspects of temperature extremes from a spatial perspective, but much more
could be done. Write your own question about temperature extremes or about weather and climate,
investigate it, and answer it!

Investigating Historical Extreme Temperatures by State in the USA Using ArcGIS Online - Page 7 of 7
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com