13. Measuring and Forecasting Weather Climate Graphs
Climate graphs are used to illustrate average temperature and average precipitation of an area over the 12 months of the year.
Dublin
The temperature scale is shown in degrees Celsius (°C).
A line graph is used to show temperature.
The months of the year are shown across the base of the graph.
Altitude 47 m
40 °C
30 20 10 0 JF MA MJ JA SO ND 16. A climate graph for Dublin
mm 200
150 100 50 0
1. According to figure 16, which is the coldest month in Dublin?
2. Which is the warmest month?
3. Which month gets most precipitation?
4. Which month is the driest?
The precipitation scale is shown in millimetres (mm).
Precipitation is represented by a single column for each month.
12 3 Being numerate
Looking at figure 16, calculate the average precipitation for Dublin over the months of June, July and August. Calculate the average temperature for the months of October, November and December.
Question Time
1. Name the instruments that measure the following: (a) Atmospheric pressure (b) Temperature
(c) Precipitation
2. What units of measurement are the following measured in? (a) Atmospheric pressure (b) Temperature
(c) Precipitation
3. What symbols indicate low and high pressure on a weather map? Briefly describe the weather associated with low and high pressure.
4. List the three types of rainfall. 5. Explain the key stages of the water cycle. 6. Choose two types of rainfall and compare and contrast how they form.
Exam hint!
When a question asks you to ‘compare and contrast’, you must describe what is similar and different about two or more things.