MODULE 3. SPRING TEMPERATURE AND ELEVATION
What do you think is the relationship of temperature and elevation? Between Elkins and Charleston, which city do you think has higher temperature? Remember that these cities are located in different elevation (see Table 1).
What do you think is the relationship of temperature and population? Between Charleston and Parkersburg, which city has higher temperature? Take note that these cities have different population size and are located in almost same elevation (see Table 1).
Let us examine maximum temperature during the period of April 6-15, 2008. Majority of vegetation in West Virginia begin to leaf out during this period each year except during unseasonably warm or cold spring that can advance or delay leaf out, respectively. Fill out Table 2 below with the correct information on the maximum temperature for selected cities in West Virginia (Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Beckley and Elkins) during the period of April 6-15, 2008.
To find the maximum temperature for each city, go to http://www.weather.gov/climate/, select West Virginia on the map. On the location, select the city and then select archived data to choose the specific date (April 6-15, 2008). On the climate report generated on a new window, locate the observed value for the maximum temperature and record it in Table 2. Calculate mean (average) maximum temperature for the 10-day period per city and indicate this on the last column of Table 2.
Table 2. Maximum (max) temperature (oF) of selected cities in West Virginia between April 6 to 15, 2008
Cities |
Date (2008) / Max Temperature (°F) |
Mean Max Temp (°F) |
Charleston |
Date |
4/6 |
4/7 |
4/8 |
4/9 |
4/10 |
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Temp |
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Date |
4/11 |
4/12 |
4/13 |
4/14 |
4/15 |
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Temp |
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Huntington |
Date |
4/6 |
4/7 |
4/8 |
4/9 |
4/10 |
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Temp |
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Date |
4/11 |
4/12 |
4/13 |
4/14 |
4/15 |
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Temp |
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Parkersburg |
Date |
4/6 |
4/7 |
4/8 |
4/9 |
4/10 |
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Temp |
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Date |
4/11 |
4/12 |
4/13 |
4/14 |
4/15 |
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Temp |
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Beckley |
Date |
4/6 |
4/7 |
4/8 |
4/9 |
4/10 |
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Temp |
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Date |
4/11 |
4/12 |
4/13 |
4/14 |
4/15 |
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Temp |
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Elkins |
Date |
4/6 |
4/7 |
4/8 |
4/9 |
4/10 |
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Temp |
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Date |
4/11 |
4/12 |
4/13 |
4/14 |
4/15 |
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Temp |
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Based on Table 2, which among the cities had the warmest spring temperature? the lowest spring temperature?
To summarize results, fill out Table 3 with population and elevation (from Table 1) and maximum spring temperature (from Table 2) of selected cities in West Virginia.
Table 3. Population size, elevation (ft) and maximum (max) temperature (°F) of selected cities in West Virginia.
Group / Cities |
Population |
Elevation (ft) |
Mean Max Temperature (°F) |
Charleston |
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Huntington |
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Parkersburg |
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Beckley |
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Elkins |
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Following the module on Data Analysis and Interpretation using MS Excel, create a scatter plot of elevation (x-axis, independent variable) and mean maximum temperature (y-axis, dependent variable) and city population (x-axis, independent variable) and mean maximum temperature (y-axis, dependent variable). On the scatter plot, include the regression model or equation and the value of r2.
Based on the regression model, what can you conclude about the relationship of maximum temperature and elevation? maximum temperature and city population?
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