Exploration 3
A Comparison of Regional Temperature Anomalies
In this exploration, you will investigate how temperatures vary on regional scales by examining the Florida, North America and Global temperature anomalies.
***To print this exploration and record your responses, download this PDF document .***
Once you have finished Exploration 3, read the Scientists' Explanation for A Comparison of Regional Temperature Anomalies.
Temperature Anomaly Data for 1880-2010: Northern and Southern Hemisphere Temperatures
Use the interactive, time series graphing tool above to answer the following questions:
- 1. Make a few hypotheses before you begin to compare the 130-year for Florida, North America, and global temperature anomalies.
- Do you think the Florida, North America, and Global Temperature Anomalies will show a warming trend?
_____ Yes _____ No - Do you think that the more recent decades will show an increased rate of warming for Florida, North America, and globally?
_____ Yes _____ No - Which do you think will have a greater range between high and low temperature anomalies?
_____ Northern Hemisphere _____ Southern Hemisphere - d. Which do you think has more variable temperature anomalies over time?
____ Northern Hemisphere _____ Southern Hemisphere
- Do you think the Florida, North America, and Global Temperature Anomalies will show a warming trend?
- Analyze the temperature anomaly variation for Florida: Uncheck the box next to Global and check on the box next to FL. You should see the Florida temperature anomaly data only.
- Describe the general trend for change in Florida temperature anomalies.
- What is the lowest temperature anomaly recorded during that time period? What is the highest? What is the range of temperature anomalies (lowest to highest)?
- Analyze the temperature anomaly variation for North America: Check on the FL box beneath the graph to uncheck it, and click on the NA box. You should see the North American temperature anomaly data only.
- Describe the general trend for land temperature anomaly.
- What is the lowest temperature anomaly recorded during that time period? What is the highest? What is the range of temperature anomalies (lowest to highest)?
- Look at the global temperature anomaly data for 1880-2010. Check the Global Temperature Anomaly box below the graph to see the data displayed on the graph.
- Describe the general temperature anomaly trend over this time period.
- What is the lowest temperature anomaly recorded during that time period? What is the highest? What is the range of temperature anomalies (lowest to highest)?
- Use the data you recorded in questions 1 - 3 to complete the table below.
Space |
Anomaly (°C) |
Anomaly (°C) |
Lowest to Highest Temperature Anomaly |
Florida | |||
North America | |||
Global |
Download Data