GEOG 101I
Lab 4 Tools Introduction Section 1 Physical Geography
Energy Balance, Temperature, Climographs, and Large-Scale Temperature Processes
• Microsoft Excel
• Calculator
• Kestrel weather meter
Earth experiences an almost infinite variety of weather—conditions of the atmosphere at any given
time and place. But if we consider the weather over many years, including its variability and extremes,
a pattern emerges that constitutes climate. Think of climate patterns as dynamic rather than static.
Climate is more than a consideration of simple averages of temperature and precipitation.
In this activity, we first review sensible heat flux and latent heat flux, both of which determine the
temperature of a given location. We then examine patterns of temperature that operate as a basis for
climate. We also collect data at a micro scale (on campus) over a short period of time (during the
activity section period), and compare monthly climate data at three contrasting locations by plotting
actual climate data to analyze temperature and precipitation characteristics. The last section will
examine temperature mechanisms as they present themselves in California.
Sensible Heat Flux and Latent Heat Flux
In preparation for this lab, we will review what sensible heat flux and latent heat flux are.
When there is a positive amount of energy on the surface (that is, NET R is positive—review the Lab 3
Document for details), this positive amount of energy can be used to raise air temperature, change the
phase of water [from solid to liquid (melting), and from liquid to gas (vaporization)], and heat an
increasing depth of the ground. This is a balance between incoming and outgoing shortwave and
longwave radiation (again, review the Lab 3 Document), and the amount of energy available on a given
surface is finite.
NET R = H + LE + G
where:
H: sensible heat flux
LE: latent heat flux
G: ground heat flux
When a given surface is moist and wet, a portion of available energy is used to evaporate water. Thus,
the remaining amount of energy that is allocated to heat air becomes smaller, and the diurnal
temperature range may not be as great as otherwise. You may experience this condition near a
waterbody or on a well-watered lawn.
As you learned in Lab 3, the amount of NET R is different due to the difference in the amount of
insolation that a given location receives and the amount of reflectivity or albedo that a given surface is
associated with.
Both sites blow are within or near Chico, CA. Site 1 Site 2 Surface condition: dry Surface condition: moist 1 If both sites were to have the same amount of NET R, what components of the NET R equation (that is,
H, LE, or G) would get the most amount of energy allocation? You will further practice this issue of
energy balance as you go outside and collect data in the next section.
This video shows phase change of water (from solid to liquid, and from liquid to gas). Watch this video
and associate how sensible, latent, and ground heat fluxes may be involved in the phase change of
water.
Ice melts, and water evaporates. Is energy absorbed or released by solid ice and liquid water to change
their phases to liquid and gas, respectively? When a finite amount of energy is allocated differently,
what will happen to sensible heat flux and air temperature, as a result? (Questions 1 and 2)
Section 2 Temperature Patterns—complete this section of the lab in 20 minutes
You will closely observe a temperature distribution over the Chico State campus core.
Form a small group of 4-5 people. Each group is assigned to take a specified route on campus (see map
below) and collect temperature data at designated locations (see map—stars) along the route using the
Kestrel weather meter. Review the contents of the Lab 3 Document, and notice how temperature values
vary even within a small area like the Chico State campus.
Before your group starts walking on a designated route, notice that one of the groups (route 3) will be
assigned to take temperature readings on different floors of Butte Hall, while another group (route 2)
will take temperature readings around Butte Hall.
Associate your temperature values for given locations to the NET R equation, containing H (sensible
heat) and LE (latent heat) as well as albedo and insolation values.
NET R = H + LE + G
Your route: _____
3
For all routes, including route 3
Location Temperature (°C) 1. 7th 24.7 2. 5th 24.1 3. 3rd 24.3 4. 1st 24.5 5. out door 25 6. out door 26 7. out door 25.8 Daily Insolation
Amount (high,
medium, or low) Albedo (high,
medium, or low) For route 3 ONLY
Floor Temperature (°C) 7th 24.7 5th 24.1 3rd 24.3 1st 24.5 2 Predominant Energy
Allocation (H or
LE) N 2 Take a clear picture of your data collection sheet and upload it to Blackboard Learn. It must be legible
to earn a credit. Alternatively, you can submit a paper copy of your data collection sheet to your lab
instructor by the due date. Your lab instructor will NOT accept any late submission (regardless of
reasons). (Question 3)
Section 3 Climographs—Creation and Interpretation
A climograph is a graphical depiction of the monthly precipitation and temperature values for a
selected place. Precipitation is shown by either a bar graph or a line, while temperature is depicted by a
line. A typical climograph looks like the following (Sacramento, CA). Climograph for Sacramento, CA
(http://drought.unl.edu/archive/climographs/SacramentoANC.htm) 3 You are given datasets for three locations (Chico, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Indianapolis, IN), but
we do not tell you what dataset belongs to what city. You will answer several questions and match each
dataset with a correct city.
Interpret the graph and data by answering the questions. Based on the data provided (and the graph),
identify the place from the following two locations (only elevation and latitude/longitude coordinates
are provided).
You are going to find some physical characteristics about these locations before you draw graphs.
First, go to the timeanddate.com website (http://www.timeanddate.com/) and find out their geographic
coordinates. Refer to Lab 1 Document if you don’t remember how. Fill in the following table with
latitude and longitude values. (Questions 4 through 7)
Location Latitude Longitude Chico, CA
San Francisco, CA
Indianapolis, IN
READ carefully before proceeding.
• You find datasets in a single Excel file with multiple worksheets on Blackboard Learn.
• We recommend that you use the Windows version of Microsoft Excel to draw graphs.
Location 1
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Temp 11.0 12.5 13.0 13.5 14.5 15.5 15.5 16.5 17.0 16.5 13.5 11.0 Ave Precip 11.5 11.7 8.3 3.7 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.6 2.9 8.0 11.6 Total Location 2
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Temp 7.5 10.0 12.0 15.0 19.0 23.0 25.5 24.5 22.5 17.0 11.0 7.5 Precip 12.4 11.6 10.9 4.5 2.7 1.3 0.1 0.2 1.1 3.6 8.3 11.8 Ave
Total Location 3
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Temp -3.0 -1.0 4.5 10.5 16.5 21.5 23.5 22.5 19.0 12.0 6.0 -1.0 Precip 6.3 6.1 8.7 10.5 13.5 11.3 11.3 8.8 7.7 7.9 9.8 8.6 Ave
Total Make sure that you calculate the annual average temperature value and the total precipitation amount
for each location before answering homework questions. Also calculate the range (maximum value –
minimum value for the annual data) of each variable for each location. (Questions 8 through 12)
Watch this short video and learn how to draw a graph with two Y (vertical) axes. You will also need to
use a special feature to draw a line graph and bar graph on the same graph space. This video provides
you with a step-by-step guide. (Use the Windows version of Microsoft Excel, which is available in the
campus computer lab.)
Draw a climograph for each location. Make sure that this graph satisfies the following conditions.
1. A line graph represents temperature data
2. A bar graph represents precipitation data
3. The graph has two vertical axes
4. The graph contains all the important supporting information (e.g., labels for axes, etc.)
Once you have drawn a graph using Excel, you will digitally capture the graph on the screen, and
submit this image file through Blackboard Learn. (Questions 13 through 15)
Observe the distribution of the annual temperature and precipitation values before answering
homework questions. (Questions 16 and 17) 4 Section 4 Place, Temperature and Mechanisms
You are going to synthesize all your knowledge about the factors that control a given location’s
temperature. Find the data table that lists latitude values, elevations, January and July mean
temperature values as well as the range of these extreme timings of the year for 12 locations. These 12
locations are also illustrated in the map below.
Latitude 1. Eureka
2. Redding
3. Sacramento
4. Stockton
5. Fresno
6. Bakersfield
7. San Francisco
8. San Diego
9. Yosemite NP
10. Bishop
11. Needles
12. Los Angeles Elevation Degrees
(°) Minutes
(’) Decimal
degrees
(°) 40
40
38
37
36
35
37
32
37
37
34
34 45
34
31
54
44
25
37
44
45
21
51
03 40.75
40.57
38.52
37.90
36.73
35.42
37.62
32.73
37.75
37.35
34.85
34.05 Meters
(m) 24.4
152.4
5.2
6.7
100.6
144.8
2.4
3.9
1210.0
1252.1
278.9
82.3 Mean Temperature (°C)
Jan July 8.8
7.6
7.3
7.0
8.4
8.6
9.1
12.9
2.5
2.8
11.2
14.0 14.0
27.9
24.0
24.0
28.0
28.8
16.9
20.9
22.1
24.8
36.2
22.6 Range 5.2
20.3
16.7
17.0
19.6
20.2
7.8
8.0
19.6
22.0
25.0
8.6 These locations are also illustrated on the map below. Your geographic knowledge of California will
help you answer the following homework questions. (Questions 18 through 23)
This short video highlights some of the information depicted in the table above and describes how
latitude, elevation and other geographic factors influence temperatures of different places. 5

 

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