Description
Hi there, I have a lab that is due tuesday (today) at midnight mountain standard time. In this assignment, you will explore the effects of mountains on climate, by comparing the climates of two Oregon cities. You will access NOAA Climate Normals data, enter it into Microsoft Excel, and create a pair of climographs, illustrating the average temperature and precipitation of each. There is also a write up for your findings.
I will give you access to my online account and send you the direct link the assignment and the website should have all of the information (lectures, notes, attachments, etc.) to help you complete the assignment. You will need access to excel or google sheets (no other application is acceptable).
Explanation & Answer
Here it is :)
Lab Assignment 1: Climate Comparison of Two Oregon Cities
In this assignment, you will explore the effects of mountains on climate, by comparing the climates of
two Oregon cities. You will access NOAA Climate Normals data, enter it into Microsoft Excel, and create a
pair of climographs, illustrating the average temperature and precipitation of each. This assignment thus
has several objectives: first, you will gain a better understanding of the role that mountains can play in
influencing climate, by comparing the models discussed in class with real-world data. Second, you will
also practice some basic skills related to data access, entry, and analysis.
Please work through the steps outlined in this document, jotting down your thoughts and responses to
questions as you go. You do not need to turn in your answers to all the questions. Instead, you will
need to turn in a write-up, consisting of the questions in Part V, along with your completed climographs
for Eugene and Bend.
Part I: Reviewing our Class Models
In class, we explored climate in terms of four major climate controls. Review your notes, and briefly
summarize how each of these controls affects the temperature and precipitation of an area.
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Latitude:
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Altitude:
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Continentality:
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Topography:
We further explored the effects of topography on climate through an idealized demonstration of the
Orographic Effect on a hypothetical mountain.
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What variations of temperature did the model predict, as an air mass moved from the windward
side of the mountain to the leeward side?
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How might that movement also suggest precipitation patterns? (Hint: where does condensation
occur?)
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What assumptions does the model make about the structure of a mountain, or a mountain range?
Do these seem realistic? How do they compare to real-world mountains?
Part II: Locating Eugene and Bend
Eugene and Bend are two Oregon towns, with significantly different climates. What might account for
this difference? Use Google Earth to find out.
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Locate Eugene and Bend. What is the elevation of the two cities? Approximately how far apart
are they?
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In between Eugene and Bend lies a portion of the Cascade Range. Approximately what elevation
do these mountains reach? (HINT: This is much easier to see if you use a 3D view.)
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Think back to our controls on climate. Brainstorm: compare and contrast Eugene and Bend, in
terms of their Latitude, Altitude, Continentality, and Topography. What effects would you expect
to see on the climates of the two cities?
Part III: Making A Climograph for Eugene
A. Access the Data
1.
Go to the NOAA National Climatic Data Center website at www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Under the tab entitled
“Data Access,” click on “Quick Links,” then click on the fourth item, “U.S. Climate Normals Products,”
and then click on “1981-2010 Climate Normals Data Access.”
2. Climate data comes in many forms! Scroll down to the FAQs to learn a little bit more about this
dataset. You will use this information in your lab write-up.
3. Now let’s get the data! Use the Search Tool (linked under “Data Access” at the top of the same page)
to access Monthly Normal Data. Select your US state of interest (Oregon) and then select the Eugene
station (Eugene Mahlon Sweet Airport, OR US). This may take a little time to load, but it will show the
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monthly normal temperature and precipitation data, disp...
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