Use the climatic data below to answer the questions that follow;
Month
jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Temp(ºC) - 19
-17
-8
2
10
17
18
18
11
4
-5
-13
Precipitation (mm)
22
17
29
35
50
78
78
55
55
35
27
22
(a) Calculate the (i) mean annual temperature (ii) annual range of temperature (iii) total annual temperature (b) Briefly describe the distribution of the precipitation for the station (c) Identify the type of natural vegetation that could be associated with the climate data given above. Give two reasons for your answer
Explanation
(a)(i) Mean annual temperature = Total temperature (Jan-Dec) 12 = -19 + -17 +........ +-5+-13 12 = 1.5°C (ii) Annual range of temperature = temp of hottest month - temp of coldest month 18- (-19) = 18 + 19 = 37°C (iii) Total annual precipitation = Add total precipitation (Jan - Dec) = 27 + 17 +....... + 27 + 22 = 503mm (b) The station has single peak (June and July) and lowest precipitation is in February Total annual precipitation is 503mm. Rainfall from April to October and precipitation is throughout the year (c) The type of natural vegetation is the cost temperate grassland (or steppe)Reasons: (i) Plant growth restricted to about 5 months when temperatures are above the minimum required for grass growth (ii) It has 5 months with temperature above 6°C
