05 - Temp Controls and Patterns Question Sheet

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 F=(1.8 x 5000 °) +32= 9032 5000 Earth’s average surface temperature 57.2 °C = ( 57.2 ° – 32) /1.8= 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) 89 31.67 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? Monterey, CA experiences a temperature of around 22 degree Celsius whereas Death Valley has a temperature of around 31 degree Celsius. The major temperature control that causes the temperature variation are: Distance from sea-Monterey is more close to the water body than Death Valley, Air mass-circulation, Presence of warm and cold ocean currents near Monterey –close to the Pacific Ocean, Geographical position of both places, Desiccating Effect brought in by colder ocean currents

3. Which major temperature control explains the different temperature patterns observed at Eureka, CA and San Diego, CA? Eureka, CA experiences around 14 degrees Celsius whereas San Diego experiences around 31 degrees Celsius even though both are on a coastal plain very close to the Pacific Ocean. The North Pacific current has moderate temperature whereas the California current is cold in nature therefore due to the movement of the current southwards, there can be varying temperatures experienced at different places. The differential heating of land and water and the geographical position of both places is a major reason for varying temperatures. The amount of rain received and the cloud pattern are also other reasons for the same. 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. Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, is located close to the Equatorial area. Throughout the year, they frequently enjoy temperatures of roughly 29 degrees Celsius. High rainfall patterns and the presence of prevailing winds are the main causes of this kind of temperature because they are located along the equator. Due to the year-round availability of direct sunlight, the temperature rises, which causes the hot air, which is the lightest, to rise. As it does so, it forms clouds, which as they rise (and become cooled), shower down as rain. In such regions, this is a recurring occurrence. Additionally, the location is 1600 meters above mean sea level. The climate is also influenced by the Indian Ocean's clones in the eastern section. Another reported temperature control is high humidity. However,Due to varying rainfall patterns and prevailing winds, the months of March and September/October have very high temperatures. The coolest months are June and July because of the influence of the Indian Ocean on the prevailing winds, which makes them cooler. 1 Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet 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.

western european countries experience much warmer temperatures than their North American counterparts, who are located at the same distance from the equator. The gulf stream is to blame for this variation in temperature. Huge amounts of heat are transported poleward by the Gulf Stream in the Northern Atlantic, which is the cause of the frequently warm temperatures in Western Europe. 9. Why? Refer to an ocean current map in Goode’s World Atlas or the appendix in your laboratory manual and identify the name of the warm current discussed in the previous question. Warm ocean currents are typically identified by their names and locations. For example, the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean is a well-known warm current. It flows northward along the eastern coast of North America and then eastward across the North Atlantic towards Europe. Warm currents are characterized by their higher temperatures compared to the surrounding water.They can have significant impacts on climate and weather patterns in coastal regions and are often associated with more temperate climates . 10. Referring back to the January Normal Temperature map, What four (4) countries located at about 30˚S along the west coast of continents have a colder average January temperature than other countries at the same latitude? (Use the table below to provide your answer) The countries located on the west coast of continents at 30 S, and having colder than average January temperatures are Chile,Peru, South Africa and Namibia. They have a colder temperature owing to the cold equatorward current Peru humboldt current for the first two and Benguela current for the last two countries.

2 Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet 11. Referring to the same map(s), identify the name of the two cold currents discussed in the question above. Continent Country Adjacent Ocean Current South America peru Peru Current, humboldt current chile Africa Namibia Benguela current South Africa 12. What are the temperatures of the ocean currents off of the west coast and the east coast of the United States? As such, ocean surf temperatures are rarely above 70 °F (21 °C) during the summer along the California south coast, while they are often above 80 °F (27 °C) on the east coast from North Carolina southward. 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 seasonal patterns of ocean currents along the west and east coasts of the United States can have a significant influence on precipitation and humidity patterns in different regions of the country. Here's how these ocean current temperatures can affect weather patterns.

Vacaville 50 100 45.6 75.7 75.7-45.6=30.1 Davis 69 60 44.9 74.6 74.6-44.9=29.1 Sacramento 80 20 46.4 75.2 75.2-46.4 =28.8 Rocklin 102 250 43.1 77.4 77.4-43.1= 34.3 Auburn 114 1290 45.0 77.1 77.1-445= 32.6 Colfax 130 2410 44.5 76.3 76.3-44.5=31.8 Blue Canyon 146 5280 37.1 68.0 68-37.1 =30.9 Donner Summit 163 7200 27.6 58.8 58.8-27.6=31.2 Donner Lake 168 5940 27.0 60.8 60.8-27=33..8 Truckee 171 6020 27.0 61.6 61.6-27=34.6 Boca 178 5580 25.1 60.3 60.3-25.1=335.2 Reno, NV 192 4400 32.8 70.4 70.4-32.8=37.2 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. 4 Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet Figure: I-80 California Transect Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet 15. Assume you are driving from San Francisco, CA to Reno, NV along I-80 in July. Carefully describe what happens to the temperature along the way and explain what

temperature controls are responsible for each of the changes observed. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean, variations in elevation, and the shift from a coastal to a desert climate all have an impact on the temperature along the San Francisco, California–Reno, Nevada route in July. During the travel, an observable temperature gradient is produced by the interaction of these temperature controllers, with warmer interior temperatures in Sacramento, milder mountain temperatures in the Sierra Nevada, warmer coastal conditions in San Francisco, and scorching desert conditions in Reno. 16. What happens to the temperature range as you move inland from the coast? Explain why. Inland areas usually have greater temperature extremes from day to night and from season to season because land absorbs and loses heat energy more quickly than water. Locations near the ocean or other large bodies of water usually have more moderate daily and seasonal temperatures. Urban Heat Island Effect: 17. Using your textbook, lecture notes, internet or other resources, describe the urban heat island effect. "Urban heat islands" occur when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. This effect increases energy costs (e.g., for air conditioning), air pollution levels, and heat-related illness and mortality. 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. Analyzing the January temperature trend to identify evidence of the urban heat island (UHI) effect involves comparing temperature data from urban areas to nearby rural or natural areas. The UHI effect is a phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas due to human activities and urbanization. Here are some key pieces of evidence and reasons why the UHI effect occurs:Temperature Disparities,Temperature Disparities,Infrastructure and Building Materials,Heat Emissions,Vegetation and Green Spaces,Urban Planning and Design

of the water or sea helps control seasonal temperature extremes in areas that are subject to the maritime effect. Because the sea is still cooler than the land throughout the summer, coastal regions have lower temperatures than inland places. In contrast, the sea holds heat in the winter and releases it gradually, preventing extremely low temperatures in coastal areas. 6 Temperature Controls and Patterns Question Sheet 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 one travels from Donner summit to Reno, a slight temperature increase takes place at Truckee and is involved with a positive temperature anomaly. This is mainly caused due to the urban heat island effect. 24. As you decrease in elevation, what do you anticipate will happen in respect to temperature? Temperature Increase: In most cases, as you descend from higher elevations to lower elevations, the temperature tends to increase. This phenomenon is known as the lapse rate. The reason behind this temperature increase is that the air pressure increases at lower elevations, and as a result, the air becomes denser and can hold more heat. This is why many lowland areas tend to be warmer than highland areas. 25. What is the anomaly and where does it occur? What causes this? The anomaly pertains to the positive temperature anomaly at Auburn where the temperature increases. The positive temperature anomaly is also caused due to the formation of dynamic highs which warms up the air as it moves upward.