Purpose: To explore patterns of temperature and precipitation in Michigan that are indications of climate change. You will be creating graphs from data from the National Climatic Data Center.

Directions: Go to the National Climatic Data Center web site at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/cag3.html. 

Click on “Statewide,” then on Michigan.

There are two types of data available for Michigan: ______temperature_____ and _____precipitation_____.

Select the periods of time listed below and fill in the information from the graphs that you generate.

Spring (March – May) 1895 to present (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Summer (June – August) 1895 to present (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Fall (September – November) 1895 to present (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Winter (December - February) 1896 to present (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support Lesson 8 Air Quality 217

STUDENT ACTIVITY

Name______________________________________

Climate at a Glance, Page 2 of 2

Questions:

1. What do the graphs and data show about trends in temperature since 1895?

2. What do the graphs and data show about trends in precipitation since 1895?

3. Do the graphs and data indicate that the climate of Michigan is changing? What is your evidence?

Extra:

What are the trends in annual temperature and precipitation in the United States?

(See “National” at the National Climatic Data Center web site and generate a graph.)

What are the trends in annual temperature and precipitation in Flint, Michigan?

(See “Cities” at the National Climatic Data Center web site and generate a graph.)

218 Air Quality Lesson 8 Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support

Answer Key—Climate at a Glance, Page 1 of 2

temperature precipitation

0.08

0.02

-0.06

0.16

-0.08

0.15

0.09

0.04

Climate at a Glance

(Online Option)

Purpose: To explore patterns of temperature and precipitation in Michigan that are indications of

climate change. You will be creating graphs from data from the National Climatic Data Center.

Directions: Go to the National Climatic Data Center web site at:

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/cag3.html.

Click on “Statewide,” then on Michigan.

There are two types of data available for Michigan: ______________________ and ________________.

Select the periods of time listed below and fill in the information from the graphs that you generate.

Spring (March – May) 1895 to present (2010) (Circle one)

Temperature: _______ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Summer (June – August) 1895 to present (2010) (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Fall (September – November) 1895 to present (2010) (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Winter (December - February) 1896 to present (2010) (Circle one)

Temperature: ________ oF / decade = increase no change decrease

Precipitation: ________ inches / decade = increase no change decrease

Example for 1895-2010

Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support Lesson 8 Air Quality 219

Questions:

1. What do the graphs and data show about trends in temperature since 1895?

There was a slight increase in temperature during spring and winter. There was a decrease

in temperature in summer and fall.

2. What do the graphs and data show about trends in precipitation since 1895?

All but the winter season showed an increase in precipitation with the greatest increase in

summer and fall.

3. Do the graphs and data indicate that the climate of Michigan is changing? What is your evidence?

Yes. The temperature and precipitation amounts were both changing. The more

dramatic change seems to be in precipitation.

Extra:

What are the trends in annual temperature and precipitation in the United States?

(See “National” at the National Climatic Data Center web site and generate a graph.)

Increase in temperature and precipitation.

What are the trends in annual temperature and precipitation in Flint, Michigan?

(See “Cities” at the National Climatic Data Center web site and generate a graph.)

Increase in temperature and precipitation.