Theory question 204
ClimateUse the climatic data in the table below to answer question 4.
Month: J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, S, O, N, D
Temp. (°C): 23, 22, 20, 17, 15, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22
Precipitation (mm): 200, 180, 120, 45, 8, 0, 0, 0, 5, 35, 100, 160
(a) Calculate the (i) annual temperature range (ii) mean monthly temperature (iii) total annual rainfall (b) (i) Suggest the climatic region where the station could be found (ii) Give two reasons to support your answer in b(i) above (c) In which hemisphere is the station located?
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(a)(i) 23 − 12 = 11°C. (ii) Total 216 ÷ 12 = 18°C. (iii) 200+180+120+45+8+0+0+0+5+35+100+160 = 853 mm.
(b)(i) Tropical continental (savanna) climate, probably on a high plateau (e.g. Zimbabwe highveld).
(ii) Distinct wet season and long dry season (May-September almost dry); moderate rainfall about 850 mm; fairly high temperatures with an 11°C range; mild temperatures suggest altitude.
(c) Southern hemisphere: the hottest and wettest months are December-February and the coolest is June.
Rain falls when the sun is overhead, which in December-February means the southern hemisphere.