A climate graph shows annual rainfall and temperature data on a single graph, useful for determining long-term averages. The format includes months, precipitation, and temperature ranges. Additional details can be added, such as record temperatures and observed rainfall. Specific climate graphs can also be created to illustrate additional information. They are available through meteorologists and universities.
A climate graph, also called a climograph and adhering to the more common definition, is a single graph that often represents the general weather for a specific location. The data included in the plot usually shows annual rainfall and temperatures graphed on a scale. Climate graphs are used by meteorologists and scientists to ascertain long-term averages over a 12-month period. As such, climate graphs are useful for illustrating a location’s seasonal climate, but they aren’t a very useful resource for local climate details. Instead, scientists and meteorologists often compile specific climate graphs to illustrate detailed information about the climate in a specific location, such as daily temperature extremes.
The presentation of information on a climate graph usually adheres to a common format. The bottom of the chart will usually list the 12 months January through December. On the left side of the graph, readers will find a range of precipitation in inches or centimeters. On the right side of the graph are the temperature ranges listed in Fahrenheit or Celsius. The bars often illustrate the amount of precipitation in a given month, while the dots plot the average temperature for that month.
Sometimes a climate graph, however, will illustrate more detail about a location’s climate. Researchers often achieve this by using the same format for the layout of the graphs, but adding different shades to show important climate details. It’s useful to compile all of the information into one graph over a 12-month period, especially for researchers who need to look at the data from a historical perspective to compare changes from one year to the next. The detailed information in such graphs will often include record temperatures and actual temperatures observed, as well as normal temperature ranges, as well as recorded rainfall and observed rainfall.
Despite such details, sometimes researchers still need to track additional information about a place’s climate. For such cases, scientists and meteorologists will draw specific climate graphs to illustrate the information required to accompany the original climate graph. An example of such graphs is to pinpoint the time of day for the hottest and coldest temperatures, giving researchers more insight into the general climate of the location.
Meteorologists in almost any city or town in the world will compile a climate graph on an annual basis. Public accessibility to climate graphs is generally available through online or on-site National Weather Service Centers. Many academic universities will also compile climate graphs, making them publicly available.
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