GEOG301 lab 5

Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet Temperature Controls and Patterns Section 1: Temperature Conversion 1. Using the equations above, complete the table below by calculating the corresponding temperatures. Location °F °C Sun’s average surface temperature 9032 5000 Earth’s average surface temperature 57.2 14 Pluto’s average surface temperature -380.2 -229 Average human body temperature 98.2 36.77 Sacramento’s record high temperature 114.08 45.6 Sacramento’s record low temperature 17 -8.33 Temperature outside right now (look it up) 57.2 14 Section 2: Factors Controlling Temperature Keeping the 5 major temperature controls in mind, study the temperature graphs above and answer the questions below. Refer to an atlas as necessary to locate these places. 2. Which major temperature control explains the different temperature patterns observed at Monterey, CA and Death Valley, CA? Land-Water Heating Differences: Death Valley, CA: Being located inland and surrounded by desert terrain, Death Valley heats up quickly during the day due to the intense solar radiation 3. Which major temperature control explains the different temperature patterns observed at Eureka, CA and San Diego, CA? 1

Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet Latitude: Eureka is located much farther north along the California coast, closer to the Oregon border. Its higher latitude means that it receives less direct sunlight, resulting in cooler temperatures, especially in comparison to more southern locations like San Diego. 4. Why does Nairobi have such consistent temperatures throughout the year? Why are the highest temperatures in March and Sept/Oct and the coolest temperature in June/July? Identify the dominant temperature control responsible for this. The consistent temperatures throughout the year and highest/coolest temperature occurrence time are caused by its high altitude & elevation. At higher altitudes, the air is less dense and contains less moisture. As a result, it heats up more slowly during the day and cools down rapidly at night. This leads to milder temperatures overall and less temperature variation throughout the year. 5. There are two temperature patterns shown on the Barrow, AK/McMurdo Station, Antarctica graph. Which line is which? Which location is represented with the dashed line? Explain how you determined which one is which. Barrow, AK is represented by the dashed line and the McMurdo Station, Antarctica would be the solid line because Barrow is located in the northernmost part of Alaska, near the Arctic Ocean. It experiences a polar climate and is subject to extreme cold temperatures during the summer months 6. Which major temperature control explains the different temperature pattern observed at Hilo, HI and Mauna Loa Observatory, HI? Altitude & Elevation & Latitude 7. Which of the above nine stations has the greatest temperature range? The least? Explain why. McMurdo Station, Antarctica has the greatest temperature and Hilo, HI has the least because of their Altitude & Elevation. Hilo, Hawaii’s elevation is relatively low, and this factor contributes to its consistently mild temperatures throughout the year. On the other hand, McMurdo Station is located near the South Pole, which means it experiences extreme seasonal variations in sunlight. During the austral summer, it has continuous daylight, leading to relatively warmer temperatures. And in the austral winter, it has continuous darkness, resulting in extremely cold temperatures. 2

Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet 12. What are the temperatures of the ocean currents off of the west coast and the east coast of the United States? West Coast ocean currents temperature in the summer could range from mid-50s to mid-60s degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and mid-40s to mid-50s degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. East Coast ocean currents temperature would range from mid-70s to mid-80s degrees Fahrenheit. 13. Think about the seasonal patterns along the west and east coast. What influence do these ocean current temperatures have on precipitation and humidity patterns within the United States? The ocean current temperatures along the west coast can lead to drier summers and wetter winters in some regions. On the East Coast, the Current contributes to higher humidity levels and can influence summer thunderstorms and winter precipitation patterns. Section 4: California Temperature Transect If You decided to Go Digital? Copy the data sheet (highlight all of the cells, right click, and select copy) And paste it in here. Copy the chart and paste it here too. You then could cut the following table and graph below, to remove them from your answer sheet. 14. If you choose to use printed materials to complete the lab, begin by completing the table below by calculating the annual temperature range for each location. This is done by subtracting the colder (January) temperature from the warmest (July) temperature. (The first two locations have been done as an example.) 4

Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet Station Transect distance from ocean (miles) Elev (ft.) Average Jan Temp (˚F) Average July Temp (˚F) Annual Temp Range (˚F) SF (coastside) 1 30 50.7 58.4 7.7 SF (Mission) 3 80 51 59.7 8.7 Richmond 16 60 49.9 62.9 13 Martinez 28 40 47 72 25 Fairfield 43 40 46.3 72.4 26.1 Vacaville 50 100 45.6 75.7 30.1 Davis 69 60 44.9 74.6 29.7 Sacramento 80 20 46.4 75.2 28.8 Rocklin 102 250 43.1 77.4 34.3 Auburn 114 1290 45 77.1 32.1 Colfax 130 2410 44.5 76.3 31.8 Blue Canyon 146 5280 37.1 68 30.9 Donner Summit 163 7200 27.6 58.8 31.2 Donner Lake 168 5940 27 60.8 33.8 Truckee 171 6020 27 61.6 34.6 Boca 178 5580 25.1 60.3 35.2 Reno, NV 192 4400 32.8 70.4 37.6 Data: Western Regional Climate Center (collected over periods ranging between 1/1/1914 to 12/31/2001). With special thanks to John Aubert (American River College) for the original lab concept and graph. Once you have finished the I-80 temperature vs. elevation transect, complete the questions on the following page. 5

Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet Urban Heat Island Effect: 17. Using your textbook, lecture notes, internet or other resources, describe the urban heat island effect. The urban heat island (UHI) effect is a phenomenon characterized by significantly higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their surrounding rural or natural environments. This localized warming is primarily caused by human activities and the built environment of cities. 18. Study the January temperature trend. There seems to be evidence of the urban heat island effect. What is the evidence and where does it occur? Give some reasons why. In the big city SF it seems to have warmer temperatures and it’s probably caused by urban heat island effect. Temperature Inversion: 19. Using your textbook, lecture notes, internet or other resources, describe a temperature inversion layer. A temperature inversion layer is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by an increase in temperature with altitude, contrary to the usual decrease in temperature with height in the Earth's atmosphere. Inversion layers are a type of atmospheric temperature profile where the air near the surface is cooler than the air above it, leading to a layer of warm air trapped between cooler layers. 20.As you travel east from Sacramento into the mountains in January, there is evidence of a temperature inversion. Based on the temperature control of elevation, what do you expect the temperature to do as you increase in elevation? Reading from the chart, if we travel east from Sacramento into the mountains in January, the temperature would slowly decrease as we travel increase in elevation. 21. Does this Occur? Explain why. It seems like the temperature inversion wouldn’t happen in this case because if it was to happen, the temperature should increase along with the elevation. 7

Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet Influence of Water Bodies 22. In your own words, describe the maritime effect. Maritime effect is the influence of the large bodies of water have on the nearby climate of the nearby cities or areas. 23. As you travel past Donner Summit toward Reno in July, the data shows a slight temperature anomaly (abnormality) with respect to elevation gain. As we travel past Donner Summit toward Reno in July, the temperature stays relatively stable as normally it should have decrease in temperature when elevation increase and vice versa when the elevation decrease. 24. As you decrease in elevation, what do you anticipate will happen in respect to temperature? I will anticipate a increase in temperature. 25. What is the anomaly and where does it occur? What causes this? As we travel past Donner Summit toward Reno in July, the temperature stays relatively stable as normally it should have decrease in temperature when elevation increase and vice versa when the elevation decrease. It’s the maritime effect that caused this to happen. 8