Handout #10a - Malcolm Shabazz City High School, Madison WI

Integrated Science Program
James Madison Memorial High School
Unit 4; Handout No. 10a
Name ______________________________
Period_______Date___________________
Teacher____________________________
LAB: CLIMATIC FACTORS
Marine Influence on Temperature
Background:
San Francisco has a latitude of 38° N and is located on the Pacific coast of California. St. Louis has
about the same latitude (39° N) but is located far from the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Missouri. Both cities
are located in the belt of the prevailing westerly winds.
A study of the monthly average temperatures for these two cities reveals a striking difference between
these two locations. In this exercise, we shall plot the temperature curves of San Francisco, representing a
"marine" climate, and St. Louis, representing a "continental" climate. Then we shall study the graphs to see
what differences in temperature are produced by nearness to a large body of water such as the Pacific Ocean.
Procedure:
1. Beginning with the first vertical line on the graph paper, let every fifth vertical line represent one month of
the year, from January through the next January. Label this axis Time (Months), label each month.
2. To the left of the first horizontal line, write "0° F". Ten (10) small spaces higher, write "10° F". Continue
upwards until you reach 90° F. Each small box will then represent 1° F. Label this axis Temperature
(degrees Fahrenheit).
3. Plot the temperatures for San Francisco, joining the thirteen points with a smooth curve. Label the curve.
Do the same for St. Louis.
4. At the top of the graph paper, place the title Marine Influence on Temperature.
ISP Online Document Page: http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/jmm/isp/ispindex.htm
Page 1

Average Monthly Temperatures in Degrees Fahrenheit
City: San Francisco, St. Louis,
California
Missouri
Latitude: 38° N, 122° W 39° N, 90° W
January 50 33
February 53 37
March 55 45
April 56 56
May 57 66
June 59 76
July 59 81
August 59 79
September 62 71
October 61 61
November 57 46
December 52 36
January 50 33
Summary Questions:
Your teacher will tell you where to respond to these questions…
1. From the table of monthly temperatures, compute the average temperature for the year for the two cities.
How can you explain the close agreement of these two temperatures
2. Compare the yearly temperature range of St. Louis to that of San Francisco.
3. Compare the summer temperatures -- June, July, and August -- of St. Louis to those of San Francisco.
4. Compare the winter temperatures -- December, January, and February -- of the two cities.
5. If both of these cities receive the same, maximum amount of solar energy on ~June 21st, why doesn’t St.
Louis reaches its' peak temperature until July Why doesn’t San Francisco reach its' peak average
temperature until September
ISP Online Document Page: http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/jmm/isp/ispindex.htm
Page 2

Integrated Science Program
James Madison Memorial High School
Unit 4; Handout No. 10a
Name ______________________________
Period_______Date___________________
Teacher____________________________
LAB: CLIMATIC FACTORS
Marine Influence on Temperature
ISP Online Document Page: http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/jmm/isp/ispindex.htm
Page 3

Summary Questions:
1. From the table of monthly temperatures, compute the average temperature for the year for the two cities.
How can you explain the close agreement of these two temperatures
2. Compare the yearly temperature range of St. Louis to that of San Francisco.
3. Compare the summer temperatures -- June, July, and August -- of St. Louis to those of San Francisco.
4. Compare the winter temperatures -- December, January, and February -- of the two cities.
5. If both of these cities receive the same, maximum amount of solar energy on ~June 21st, why doesn’t St.
Louis reaches its' peak temperature until July Why doesn’t San Francisco reach its' peak average
temperature until September
ISP Online Document Page: http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/jmm/isp/ispindex.htm
Page 4