Theory question 205
ClimateStudy the climatic table below and use it to answer the questions that follow
Station X: Month J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temp °C: 21 21 20 17 15 13 13 13 14 16 18 20
Temp °F: 70 70 68 63 59 56 55 56 58 61 64 68
Precipitation (mm): 18 15 23 48 97 114 94 86 58 41 28 20
Precipitation (inches): 0.7 0.6 0.9 1.9 3.8 4.5 3.7 3.4 2.3 1.6 1.1 0.8
(a)(i) What is the annual range of temperature for the station? (ii) What is the annual rainfall?
(b) Give a brief description of the distribution of rainfall at the station
(c) Suggest, giving reasons, the type of climate that is represented by the climate table
(d)(i) Name the type of natural vegetation that is likely to be found around the station (ii) Describe briefly the main characteristics of the vegetation
Show the model answer
(a)(i) 21 − 13 = 8°C (70 − 55 = 15°F) (ii) 642 mm (about 25.3 inches)
(b) Most rain falls in May-August (the cool season), peak in June (114 mm); the warm months December-March are dry (under 25 mm)
(c) Mediterranean (warm temperate western margin) climate of the southern hemisphere, e.g. Cape Town/Perth: hottest months are December-February, so it is south of the equator; rain comes in winter, summers are dry; mild winter (13°C) and warm summer (21°C); moderate annual rainfall
(d)(i) Mediterranean evergreen woodland and scrub (maquis/chaparral)
(ii) Evergreen trees and shrubs; small, thick, waxy or leathery leaves; thick bark and long roots to survive dry summers; trees are short and widely spaced (cork oak, olive, eucalyptus); scrub and aromatic bushes
Rain in the cool months and a dry hot season mean Mediterranean climate.