Temperature Lab_Part 2_W24 (1).docx

LAB 3 – TEMPERATURE LAB Student Name: Firas Ayari Tutorial Section: Student Number: 3163368 PURPOSE In this lab you will explore the global distribution of surface air temperature as well as the human relationship and response to air temperature. You will be given the option to either gather or interpret real world data of temperature, wind speed, and humidity in Winnipeg. You will then calculate windchill temperatures and/or heat index values while practicing graphing techniques. You will be given the opportunity to practice estimations and measurements in the field, as well as spreadsheet calculations and graphical skills. PART 1: FIELD DATA COLLECTION ** Collected last week ** PART 2: EXCEL SKILLS AND ISOTHERM MAP 1. Calculate the wind chill (if your temperature values are predominantly negative) or the humidex (if your temperature values are predominantly positive) in an excel spreadsheet from the data you collected in Part 1 of the lab: a. Input a table (like Table 1 above) with your calculated wind chill or humidex values for locations A to J on the next page of this assignment. 5 marks Don’t forget to include a descriptive table caption. *Note: Table captions are usually placed above the table, while figure captions are usually places below the figure. The standard Wind Chill formula for Environment Canada is: T WC = 13.12 + 0.6215T a – 11.37V 0.16 + 0.3965T a V 0.16 Where T WC is the wind chill index, T a is the air temperature in degrees Celsius (°C), and V is the wind speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). The standard Humidex (Heat Index) formula for Environment Canada is: 1 University of Winnipeg GEOG-1205L

T H = T a + 0.5555(e-10) Where T H is the humidex, T a is the air temperature in degrees Celsius (°C), and e is the vapor pressure in millibars * (mb). * Important: We can calculate vapour pressure (mb) from our measures of Relative Humidity (%). Remember RH(%) represents how saturated the air is. So if we know RH(%) and we can figure out saturation vapour pressure for a given temperature (see figure from the textbook on the next page). We should be able to calculate vapour pressure. Another way to look at this, is that RH% represents how close or how far we are from saturation. So at 100% RH, vapour pressure = saturation vapour pressure, at 50% relative humidity the air can hold twice as much moisture, and so vapour pressure is half that of saturation vapour pressure. 2 University of Winnipeg GEOG-1205L RH = vapour pressure ( mb ) saturation vapour pressure ( mb ) ∗ 100%

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2. Create a windchill or humidex isotherm map: Transfer your windchill or humidex values neatly to your location map (Appendix A). Draw isotherms at 1° or 2°C intervals (depending on how big your temperature range is … ask your lab instructor if you are having trouble deciding). Your isotherms should neat and labelled. Be sure to add an appropriate and descriptive figure caption (where, what, when). 10 marks *Note: isolines cannot touch, split, divide into two branches, or end in the middle of the page. *Isotherms typically stop at any walls of surface obstructions (like buildings) and at the edges of the map, but for this lab you may assume that the temperatures inside the buildings are consistent with the temperatures outside and draw the isotherms through the buildings. 3. Describe which geographic locations on your map were the coldest in terms of windchill, or the warmest in terms of the humidex, and attempt to explain (hypothesize as to) why this might be the case. 3 marks PART 3: COMPLETE EITHER OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2. PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE BOTH!!! OPTION 1: GLOBAL TEMPERATURES 1. Construct a graph to show how January temperatures vary across the surface of the Earth along the 60 ° N parallel. The x-axis should begin at 150 ° W , let each grid mark represent 30 ° longitude. The y-axis should begin at -40 ° C , let each grid mark represent 5 ° C. Plot points on this graph (showing temperature for a given longitude) and join the points with a smooth, continuous line. On the same graph, draw a similar line for 60 o S . 10 Marks 4 University of Winnipeg GEOG-1205L

2. Similar to the graph constructed in Question 1, construct a graph to show how July temperatures vary across the surface of the Earth along the 60 ° N and 60 ° S parallels. 10 Marks 3. Briefly describe the patterns illustrated on each graph and provide an explanation(s) for the observed patterns. 8 Marks a. January 60 ° N: The graph for January 60°N shows a temperature gradient that is generally colder in the western longitudes and becomes less cold towards the east. This could be interpreted as the influence of warm ocean currents or air masses affecting the eastern part of the 60°N latitude. In the real world, the North Atlantic Current, part of the Gulf Stream, brings warmer waters to the east, which could contribute to milder temperatures. 5 University of Winnipeg GEOG-1205L

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