Are Extreme Weather Events Increasing? Are heat waves and other extreme weather events increasing? When we turn on the news, we
commonly see stories about weather related events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts. Extreme weather conditions are studied by scientists over time in order to understand global trends. In this investigation, you will learn how to analyze temperature data so that you can track weather. You will use current temperature data to graph and compare recent weather changes in Orlando, FL. In Florida we are used to heat. A heat wave is a period of several days to weeks of abnormally hot weather that is sometimes associated with high humidity. The World Meteorological Organization defines a heat wave as five or more consecutive days of temperatures 5°C (9°F) above the average maximum temperature. For this activity, a heat wave will be defined as 3 consecutive days at or above 95°F. Directions: You will analyze the maximum and minimum temperatures for Orlando, FL for June, July, and August for 2018 and 2018. You will then create a graph of the number of heat waves experienced each year. : Weather History & Observations Continued on next page Name: _____________________________________ Analysis of Findings What was the highest maximum temperature recorded over the 3 months in 2015? What was the highest maximum temperature recorded over the 3 months in 2016? What was the highest maximum temperature recorded over the 3 months in 2017? What was the highest maximum temperature recorded over the 3 months at your location in 2018? (4points) Identify the number of days throughout the three-month period where temperatures were 95˚F or above. How many days did you identify in the three-month period in 2015? __________ How many days did you identify in the three-month period in 2016? __________ How many days did you identify in the three-month period in 2017? __________ How many days did you identify in the three-month period in 2018? __________ (4 points) For this analysis, we will define a heat wave as a period of 3 or more consecutive days of a maximum temperature at or above 95°F. Then graph the number of heat waves for each month. How many heat waves did your location experience in 2015? ___________ How many heat waves did your location experience in 2016? ___________ How many heat waves did your location experience in 2017? ___________ How many heat waves did your location experience in 2018? ___________ (4 points) 4. Examine the maximum and minimum temperatures for each year. What trends do you observe for these data? (3 points) 5. Climate can have a big impact on populations. Why do you think that heat-related deaths can be greater in cities at higher latitudes than in more tropical cities? (3 points) 6. Why would the climate differ between New York and Portland Oregon? (2 points) 7. How does the climate differ from Dallas and Charleston? Why?(2 points) 8. If we transported a glacier to the Gulf of Mexico, how would the ecosystem change? (2 points) You will now create a graph of the number of heat waves experienced each year. Your X axis should be the months, and the Y the number of heat waves. Be sure to include a legend to identify each year. (6 points)
