Temperature Measurement

Thermometer

Air Temperature Data

Daily MeanDaily Range

Monthly Mean

Annual MeanAnnual Range

Normal

Salt Lake City Temperatures 2004 – Observed, Normals, Records

Temp. time

series: temp at

one place over time

What Controls Temperatures at a Particular Location?

• Latitude• Altitude• Nearby water (especially oceans)

• Ocean currents• Position relative to prevaling winds• Mountains isolate water effects

• Cloud cover (and albedo)

Latitude

Sun Angles at Different Latitudes

Altitude

Guayaquil: sealevel

Quito: 9200 ft

Hidden Peak, Snowbird

Alt = 11,000’

High = 32oF

North Provo

Alt = 4600’

High = 47oF

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

jan feb mar april may june july aug sept oct nov dec

Monthly average high & low temps for Sacramento (red) and San Francisco (black) California

Oceans (water) Moderate Temps of Coastal Areas

SacramentoSacramentoSan FranciscoSan Francisco

Coasts and prevailing wind direction

Ocean Currents

Geographic Position

Mountains

Fog in Salt Lake ValleyFog in Salt Lake Valley

Effects ofInversion &

Cloud Cover in SLC Area 1/20 –

1/27/05

Alta Base 8800’47oF Highs

Olympus Cove 5600’29 – 32oF Highs

Sugarhouse 4400’32 – 33oF Highs

Cloud Cover

World Distribution of TemperaturesAnnual Range

(highest monthly ave. minus lowest monthly ave.)

World Distribution of TemperaturesJanuary Means

World Distribution of TemperaturesJuly Means

Daily Variations in Air Temperature

Maximum & Minimum Thermometers

Thermograph

Temperature Scales

Wind-Chill Factor

Chapter 3

END

Land & Water