Interpreting Climate Graphs of US Cities Quiz
Temperature & rainfall graphs (10 questions).
Interpreting Climate Graphs of US Cities Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Climate graphs, or climographs, are visual tools used by geographers to understand the climate of a specific location. By plotting average monthly temperature and precipitation, we can identify patterns characteristic of different US regions, from the arid Southwest to the humid Southeast.
Key Takeaways
- West Coast: Often features dry summers and wet winters (Mediterranean/Marine).
- East Coast: Precipitation is generally more uniform throughout the year.
- Deserts: Defined by very short precipitation bars and high temperature peaks.
- Continental: Interior cities show the largest gap between winter lows and summer highs.
- Tropical: Locations like Hawaii have nearly flat temperature lines due to consistent sun angles.
What is a climograph?
A climograph is a dual-purpose chart that displays the average monthly precipitation (using bars) and average monthly temperature (using a line) for a specific location over a year.
Which US city has a Mediterranean climate?
Los Angeles, California, is a classic example of a Mediterranean climate in the US, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
How do I identify a desert climate on a graph?
A desert climate graph will show very low precipitation bars throughout the entire year, often combined with a high temperature line that peaks sharply in the summer.
Why is the temperature line curved in US climographs?
The US is in the Northern Hemisphere, so temperatures are higher in the summer months (June, July, August), causing the line to curve upward in the middle of the graph.
Which axis typically shows precipitation?
On most climographs, the vertical axis on the left often represents temperature, while the vertical axis on the right represents precipitation (or vice versa, depending on the specific chart standard).
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