Climatograph Assignment

Creating a Climatograph in Google Spreadsheet (or Excel)

Climatographs show the average monthly temperatures and precipitation amount on a single graph. The advantage of using a climatograph instead of a table of numerical data is that it is easier to interpret and compare the data. Now that you have a basic understanding of what affects climate, we will explore how to create a climagraph using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel.

Remember:

• A climatograph shows the average temperature and precipitation for a location over a period of 30 years or more. ­
• The bars on the graph show the average precipitation. ­
• The line on the graph shows the average temperature.

Challenge- Create two climatographs. One for the city of Edmonton and one for the city of your choice. Compare the annual precipitation and temperature differences between these two cities.

Step 1: Setting up your spreadsheet

1. Open Google Drive
2. "Create" a Spreadsheet
3. Name it: First Initial_Last Name_Climagraph (Example: J_Hernando_Climatograph)
4. Choose a city and look up annual temperatures and rainfall here.

Step 2: Make climatographs (Read Instructions below)

• Remember to add labels - Title, axis (with units)

Step 3: Copy and paste graphs in to a Google Doc

Step 4: Answer the following questions on your Google Doc

Questions:

1. Compare your climatographs, and describe 2 differences between them.

2. What is the average precipitation in July for your two cities?

3. What is the average temperature in your two cities in the month of January?

4. Which city has more average seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation over the course of the year?

5. Identify the type of biome for each city. Explain your choice for each city.

6. Why would you construct climatographs for data averaged over a number of years instead of just an individual year?

7. Based specifically on the climate data, which city would you prefer to live in and why?

Step 5: Turn in your Assignment.

1. Share your Climatograph using Google Classroom