Surf & Turf

Introduction:

Without the sun our planet's weather would be much different. The temperature would be extremely cold, all day and night. There would be no rain, because all of the moisture on the planet would be frozen. If no water were allowed to evaporate into the atmosphere, rain would not form.

In lesson #3 we learned that locations that are closer to the equator receive the most sunlight. Does this mean that every location that is at similar latitudes will have similar weather and climate? Let's take a look.

Check out these two locations. They are about the same distance from the equator. The altitude at each location is approximately the same. Mountains are not a major factor for the difference in temperatures at either location. This is where the similarities end.

A Tale of Two Cities

Look at the first column two columns of numbers. Notice that January temperatures in Los Angeles are noticeably warmer than Little Rock.

Now look at the second two columns of numbers. July temperatures are warmer in Little Rock than in Los Angeles.

Weather Scouts Merit Badge Question
Find the difference between the January high and the July high for each city. Then find the difference between the January low and the July low for each city. Now compare and contrast the extremes in temperature for the two cities. What do you see when you look at the temperature differences for January and July.

Check with your teacher for the answer.