GEOG1010_Lab4_TravisA

Student name: Adeline Travis Student #: 101163897 Assignment: A01 Lab 4 Course: GEOG 1010 (Fall 2023) Instructor: Elyn Humphreys Due Date: Nov 02, 2023 1 - - LAB 4 - - CLIMATE DATA AND CLIMATIC CHANGE Introduction [5 marks] The following report used reference material from the Government of Canada (2023), and climate data from an MS Excel file of Montreal, QC between 1929-2010 (GEOG1010, 2019). The objective of the report was to explore the statistical characteristics of climate change from 1929-2010 during the winter (December-February) in Montreal, QC, and its interactions on earth’s environmental systems such as temperature and precipitation (rain and snow). More specifically, the climate change influences on snowfall ( Figure 1 ), snowfall anomalies ( Figure 2 ), winter air temperature ( Figure A ), rainfall ( Figure B ), and detrended air temperature ( Figure 3 ). With accordance to the Climate handout (GEOG1010, 2023), important terms for the report include weather and climate. Weather is the specific conditions of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, while climate is the statistical characterization of the weather measured over a long period of time (More et al., 2008). Using the supplemental data from the MS Excel sheet (GEOG1010, 2019), the report computed a X-Y scatter graph for Snowfall (cm) and calculated the Climate normal for 1981-2010 ( Figure 1 ), used a 2-D column graph for Snowfall Anomalies and calculated the climate normal from 1931-1960 ( Figure 2 ), and computed a X-Y scatter graph for Detrended Air Temperature and calculated the 15- year standard deviation for the entire 82-year period ( Figure 3 ). Assignment 1-4. Using the supplementary MS Excel file ‘ Lab 4 Climate Data ’ on Brightspace, plot the Montreal December- February snowfall data for 1929-2010 on an X-Y scatter graph . Calculate the 5-year running mean of the ‘Snowfall’ data for the entire 82-year period and plot this on Figure 1 . Add a simple linear trendline to the 5-year running mean. Finally, include a caption for Figure 1 in your report. [23 marks] Figure 1. December to February Snowfall (cm) data from Montreal, QC, and 5-year running mean with trendline from 1929-2010 (GEOG1010, 2019). 5. Examine the trendline , is the snowfall trend negative, positive or roughly constant from 1929-2010? Explain how you know this. ( Hint: look at the y-equation) [2 marks]

Student name: Adeline Travis Student #: 101163897 Assignment: A01 Lab 4 Course: GEOG 1010 (Fall 2023) Instructor: Elyn Humphreys Due Date: Nov 02, 2023 2 As observed in ( Figure 1 ), there is a negative trendline between snowfall and the year from 1929-2010. The trendline shows a negative relationship through the slight decrease in snowfall overtime which is also indicated in the y- equation where y = -0.103x + 255.3. 6. Examine the 5-year running mean line (not the trendline). During the 1970s was snowfall increasing or decreasing? [1 mark] During the 1970s, the 5-year running mean line indicates that the amount of snowfall in cm was the greatest compared to any other year. 7. What are the minimum , maximum , and average snowfall values of the entire 82-year period? Report your minimum, maximum, and average to 1dp in the table included in the Lab Report Template. [4 marks] Table 1. Minimum, maximum, and average snowfall (cm) for Montreal, QC from 1929-2010. Snowfall (cm) Year Minimum (cm) 16.0 1980 Maximum (cm) 101.7 1971 Average (cm) 52.5 8. Using MS Excel, calculate the Climate Normal for Snowfall from 1981-2010 . Remember, this is the average of the 30-year period. Report your answer in centimetres to 1dp. [2 marks] The Climate Normal for snowfall from 1981-2010 is 46.4 cm. 9-11. Using the 1981-2010 Climate Normal, calculate winter Snowfall Anomalies for the entire 82-year period. Anomalies show the departure of a given year’s weather from the long -term average (Climate Normal). Plot the Snowfall Anomalies data for 1929-2010 on a 2-D column graph (this is Figure 2 ). Finally, include a caption for Figure 2 in your report. [11 marks]

Student name: Adeline Travis Student #: 101163897 Assignment: A01 Lab 4 Course: GEOG 1010 (Fall 2023) Instructor: Elyn Humphreys Due Date: Nov 02, 2023 4 13. Figure A (in the handout) shows a time series plot for Mean Winter Air Temperature and provides a 5-year running mean and linear trendline (with y-equation) . Describe the general change in winter air temperatures over the 82-year period. ( Hint: justify your answer with the y-equation). [2 marks] As observed from ( Figure A ), the general change in winter air temperature is shown to increase over the 82-year period between 1929-2010. The trendline shows a positive linear relationship through the slight increase in air temperature overtime which is also indicated in the y-equation where there is not a negative sign in front of the y in y = 0.0202x - 48.494. 14. a. Explain how the long-term trend in Mean Winter Air Temperature ( Figure A ) may account for the long-term trend in Snowfall ( Figure 1 ). ( Hint: what general relationships do you see between the two figures) [1 mark] When observing between ( Figure A ) and ( Figure 1 ), a notable trend is that as air temperatures increased, the amount of snowfall (cm) decreased over the 82-year period. This may indicate that increased air temperatures in the winter account for the long-term decrease in snowfall trends. b. Are there any long-term trends in the Dec-Feb Rainfall data ( Figure B in the handout ) which suggest air temperature influences snowfall? You need to compare Figures A and B (handout) with Figure 1 and explain your answer. [2 marks] When observing ( Figure B ), the amount of rainfall (mm) between 1929-2010 shows a very weak positive linear relationship as the trendline of y = 0.043x – 5.5742 increases. Although there’s a small long-term trend it follows similar observations as seen in ( Figure A ). As air temperature increased, this could have resulted in the increase of rainfall between 1929-2010. With increased air temperature and rainfall during the winter, these long-term trends could have impacted and resulted in the decreased amount of snowfall as observed in ( Figure 1 ) within the 82-year period. 15-18. Plot the Montreal December-February Detrended Air Temperature data for 1929-2010 on an X-Y scatter graph . Calculate the 15-year standard deviation of the ‘Detrended Air Temperature’ data for the entire 82-year period and plot this on Figure 3 . Add a simple linear trendline to the 15-year standard deviation . Finally, include a caption for Figure 3 in your report. [27 marks]

Student name: Adeline Travis Student #: 101163897 Assignment: A01 Lab 4 Course: GEOG 1010 (Fall 2023) Instructor: Elyn Humphreys Due Date: Nov 02, 2023 5 Figure 3. December to February detrended air temperature (°C) data from Montreal, QC, and 15-year Standard Deviation with trendline from 1929-2010 (GEOG1010, 2019). 19. Examine the 15-year standard deviation line (not the trendline) for Detrended Temperature on Figure 3. a. Describe the general change in standard deviation between the 1930s and 1960s? Are air temperatures becoming more or less variable? [1 mark] Shown in ( Figure 3 ), the general change in standard deviation between the 1930s and 1960s indicates that air temperature was becoming less variable. b. Describe the general trend in standard deviation between the 1960s and 2000s? Are air temperatures becoming more or less variable? [1 mark] The general trend in standard deviation between the 1960s and 2000s as shown in ( Figure 3 ), shows that air temperature was more variable. 20. Examine the 15-year standard deviation trendline on Figure 3. Does the trendline indicate an increasing, decreasing, or roughly consistent standard deviation over the 82-year period? Explain how you know this. ( Hint: look at the y-equation) [2 marks] When observing the 15-year standard deviation trendline on ( Figure 3 ), there is a negative trendline as observed in the y-equation where y = -0.0093x + 19.987 indicating a decreasing standard deviation over the 82-year period. 21. What is the key difference between weather and climate? Include an in-text citation of a source (i.e. NOT Wikipedia!) and a full reference at the end of your lab report (see the presentation slides for help with referencing). [3 marks]