Hong Kong Observatory

Introduction

In today's lesson, you will be looking at some real life data from the Hong Kong Observatory.

You will need to be familiar with how to draw different graphs on Google Sheet.

Part 1 – Monthly weather

1. Go to "Climate" -> "Climatological Information Services" -> scroll down to "Climatological Database" -> click on the "Hong Kong Meteorological Observations" tab -> click on the "Monthly Extract" link.

2. Select the data for the most recent complete month (not the current month but the one before).

3. Record the following values for that month and copy and paste them on a Google Sheet:

• •  Mean Daily Maximum Air Temperature

  •  Mean Relative Humidity

  •  Total Rainfall

  •  Total Bright Sunshine Duration (hours)

4. Now look back at the eleven previous months and collect the same data for those months.

5. You should now have twelve months of data for each of the measures.

6. For each measure, what calculations can you perform now?  

• Do you know how to do them on the spreadsheet?

• Interpret the calculations in context, what do they mean?

• Which average is the best to use? Why?

7.  For each measure, produce a graph to show how the weather in Hong Kong changes over the course of the year.

• What graph is appropriate? Bar Chart? Line Chart? Pie Chart? When should they be used? Why have you chosen that type? 

• Try to do at least one example of each type IF appropriate.

• What should you put on the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes?

• What can you conclude from each graph? You should include what the graph tells you and what that means in the context.

8.  How can you check the validity of your data and your analysis? You should all get the same results, but is that the case? What happens if different boundaries are chosen for categorising the data?

9. Based on your research what time of year would you recommend someone to visit Hong Kong based on the climate?

Support

If you are stuck and is unsure how to do this, take a look at the data collected in 2013-14 and graphs drawn.

Part 2 – Is Hong Kong getting wetter?

The wettest months in Hong Kong are usually the summer months, from June to September.

1. Choose one of those months and look at the total rainfall for the month for each year, going back at least 10 years (you can go back earlier if you have the time).

2. Plot your results on a graph. What type of graph would be suitable?

3. What does your graph tell you about whether it is raining more in Hong Kong now compared to years ago?

4. If you want an extra challenge, you could look at the data for more than one month in each year.

Part 3 – Trends in temperature

There’s a lot of discussion around the world about Climate Change. Some parts of the planet are seeing temperatures increase whereas in others the temperature is decreasing.

1. What do you think is happening in Hong Kong?

2. Use the temperature data on the HKO website (make sure you go back at least 10 years) to help understand what is happening in Hong Kong.

3. Which data should you use? Should you sue daily date or monthly summary data? Should you use every month or just one or two months of each year? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

4. Graph your results using an appropriate method and comment on what your graph shows.

Further Practice

Should you wish to, take a look at these further investigations based on data found on the HKO website.  The one investigation on the left is easier, the one on the right extends to further principles such as a stem and leaf diagram, quartiles and a box and whisker plot.  You can learn about these topics by choosing the relevant skills on DrFrostMaths, CorbettMaths, MyiMaths and Eedi.  Watch any video and/or go through any online lesson as you see fit.