Graphical Skills » Climate Graphs

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

How to read and interpret climate graphs
The components of climate graphs (temperature and precipitation)
How to construct climate graphs from raw data
How to identify climate types using climate graphs
How to compare different locations using climate graphs
How to use climate graphs in geographical investigations

Introduction to Climate Graphs

Climate graphs are essential tools in geography that help us understand the weather patterns of a location over time. They combine temperature and precipitation data into a single visual representation, making it easier to analyse climate characteristics and compare different places around the world.

Key Definitions:

Climate: The average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time (usually 30+ years).
Climate graph: A combined graph showing both temperature and precipitation data for a location over a 12-month period.
Temperature: How hot or cold a place is, measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
Precipitation: Any form of water falling from the sky, including rain, snow, sleet and hail, measured in millimetres (mm).

📊 Components of a Climate Graph

A climate graph combines two types of data:

Line graph: Shows average monthly temperature (usually in red)
Bar graph: Shows average monthly precipitation (usually in blue)

The x-axis shows the 12 months of the year, while the y-axis has two scales - temperature (°C) on the left and precipitation (mm) on the right.

📈 Why Use Climate Graphs?

Climate graphs are useful because they:

Show seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall
Allow easy comparison between different locations
Help identify climate types (e.g., tropical, desert, temperate)
Support analysis of how climate affects human activities
Provide evidence for climate change studies

Reading and Interpreting Climate Graphs

When looking at a climate graph, start by examining the overall pattern before looking at specific details. Pay attention to the following:

🌡 Temperature Patterns

Annual range (difference between highest and lowest temperatures)
When the hottest and coldest months occur
How quickly temperatures change between seasons
Whether temperatures are generally high, low, or moderate

🌧 Precipitation Patterns

Total annual precipitation
Wet and dry seasons (if any)
The month with highest/lowest rainfall
How evenly rainfall is distributed throughout the year

🔍 Relationships

Correlation between temperature and precipitation
Seasonal patterns (e.g., warm and wet, cold and dry)
Potential impacts on human activities
Indicators of specific climate types

Constructing Climate Graphs

For your iGCSE exam, you may need to construct a climate graph from raw data. Follow these steps:

Set up your axes: Months along the x-axis, temperature scale (°C) on the left y-axis and precipitation scale (mm) on the right y-axis.
Plot temperature: Mark the average temperature for each month with a dot and connect them with a line (usually in red).
Plot precipitation: Draw bars for each month showing the precipitation amount (usually in blue).
Add labels: Include a title, axis labels, units of measurement and a key.

Important Tips for Drawing Climate Graphs

Choose appropriate scales for both temperature and precipitation
The precipitation scale is usually much larger than the temperature scale (e.g., 0-30°C for temperature, 0-300mm for precipitation)
Use different colours to distinguish between temperature and precipitation
Make sure your graph is neat, accurate and properly labelled
Remember to include the location and data source if provided

Identifying Climate Types Using Climate Graphs

Climate graphs reveal distinct patterns that help identify different climate types. Here are some common climate types and their characteristic patterns:

🌞 Tropical Climate

Characteristics:

High temperatures year-round (25-30°C)
Small annual temperature range (2-3°C)
High annual rainfall (often over 2000mm)
May have distinct wet and dry seasons

Example: Singapore, Amazon Basin, Central Africa

🏜 Desert Climate

Characteristics:

High daytime temperatures, especially in summer
Large daily temperature range
Low annual precipitation (less than 250mm)
Irregular rainfall pattern

Example: Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula, Central Australia

🌱 Temperate Climate

Characteristics:

Moderate temperatures (5-25°C)
Clear seasonal temperature variations
Rainfall throughout the year (600-1500mm)
No extreme wet or dry seasons

Example: UK, Western Europe, Eastern USA

❄ Polar Climate

Characteristics:

Very cold temperatures year-round
Summer temperatures rarely above 10°C
Low precipitation (often less than 250mm)
Precipitation mainly as snow

Example: Antarctica, Arctic regions, Northern Canada

Comparing Different Locations Using Climate Graphs

Climate graphs are excellent tools for comparing different locations. When making comparisons, consider:

Temperature differences: Average temperatures, annual range, seasonal patterns
Precipitation differences: Total amounts, seasonal distribution, intensity
Seasonal patterns: When wet/dry or hot/cold seasons occur
Factors affecting climate: Latitude, altitude, distance from sea, ocean currents

Case Study Focus: UK Climate Variations

Even within a small country like the UK, climate graphs show significant variations:

Western UK (e.g., Glasgow): Higher rainfall, milder winters due to the influence of the North Atlantic Drift
Eastern UK (e.g., Norwich): Lower rainfall, slightly colder winters and warmer summers
Southern UK (e.g., London): Higher summer temperatures, longer growing season
Northern UK (e.g., Aberdeen): Lower temperatures year-round, shorter growing season

These variations influence farming practices, tourism patterns and infrastructure needs across the country.

Using Climate Graphs in Geographical Investigations

Climate graphs are valuable tools in geographical investigations. Here's how you might use them:

🌾 Agriculture

Determine suitable crops based on:

Growing season length
Rainfall patterns
Temperature requirements
Risk of drought or frost

🏖 Tourism

Analyse potential for tourism by identifying:

Best times to visit
Seasonal attractions
Weather-related risks
Length of tourist season

🌍 Climate Change

Study climate change impacts by:

Comparing historical graphs
Identifying changing patterns
Assessing extreme weather frequency
Predicting future trends

Exam Tips for Climate Graphs

In your iGCSE Geography exam, you might be asked to:

Describe patterns shown in a climate graph
Compare climate graphs from different locations
Construct a climate graph from data
Explain how climate affects human activities in a region
Identify the type of climate shown in a graph

Remember These Key Points

Always refer to specific data from the graph (months, exact temperature/rainfall figures)
Use geographical terminology correctly (precipitation, annual range, seasonal variation)
Make connections between temperature and precipitation patterns
Consider the wider geographical context (latitude, altitude, continentality)
Think about how climate affects people's lives in the region

Climate graphs are one of the most useful graphical skills in geography. They help us understand weather patterns, compare different places and analyse how climate affects human activities. By mastering the skill of reading, interpreting and constructing climate graphs, you'll be well-equipped for your iGCSE Geography exam and for understanding the world around you.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!