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Variation in Temperature With Altitude and Latitude

DOI:10.1080/00221340608978675
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Keith Montgomery at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Keith Montgomery
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Abstract

This letter presents data concerning variation in average annual temperatures by altitude and latitude, along with some suggested class exercises.
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Variation in Temperature With Altitude and
Latitude
Keith Montgomery
To cite this article: Keith Montgomery (2006) Variation in Temperature With Altitude and Latitude,
Journal of Geography, 105:3, 133-135, DOI: 10.1080/00221340608978675
Variation in Temperature With Altitude and Latitude
Keith Montgomery
ABSTRACT
This letter presents data concerning
variation in average annual temperatures
by
altitude and latitude, along with some
suggested class exercises.
Key
Words:
Temperatures, climate
A
REPLY
TO:
Fuhrer, Chuck, and Harris, Dan,
2004.
LAMPPOST:
A
Mnemonic
device for teaching climate variables. journal of Geography
103:86-90.
Fahrer and Harris (p.87) state, "the average environmental lapse rate on
a land surface is considered to be 3.3"F per
1,000
feet." However, when
I
recently searched ten current textbooks
I
could come up with no definite figure.
Danielson, Levin and Abrams (2003, p. 389) do cite a "rule of thumb" that a
100-meter increase in elevation is roughly equivalent to a one-degree increase
in latitude but, again, no source is quoted.
Frustrated by the lack of clear data with which to provide classes,
I
completed
a simple survey of average annual temperatures along several transects using
data from www.worldclimate.com.
Figure
1
shows the variation in average annual temperature with altitude on
four continents in three latitude zones. The data appear to be comparable across
all three zones. Hence, all the data are grouped together in Figure 2. From this
it appears that average annual temperature on land decreases by 2.33"F per
lOOOft (-4.2"C/ 1000m).As Fahrer and Harris point out, this value should not
be confused with the normal environmental lapse rate in the free atmosphere
(-6.5"C/ 1000m, -3.5"F per 1OOOft). This figure is significantly less than that cited
by Fahrer and Harris. (The rate is greater in winter than summer, as might be
expected.)
I
also completed a transect running from Brownsville (TX) to Thompson
(MAN) (Fig. 3). This data yields a rate of decrease in temperature of 0.9"C per
Keith Montgomery (Ph.D. University
of Waterloo Ontario,
1996)
is
an associ-
ate professor of Geography-Geology at UW
Marathon County. Originally from Scotland
(University of Glasgow), he currently
researches the history
of
geology and teaches
a
number of introductory earth science courses
at this UW liberal-arts transfer college.
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500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
4000
ALTITUDE ASL
(m)
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COLORADO
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rn
KENYA
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BOLIVIA
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Figure
1.
Temperature and altitude by region.
Journal of Geography
105: 133-135
02006
National Council
for
Geographic Education
133
Keith
Montgomep
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FiguB
2.
TemCeatuD and altitude, comfilation
of
FiguB
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30
35 40 45
50
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Figui2
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AveBge annual tem0eBtuD and latitude, inteCioOof
NoDh
AmeClca.
134
Variation in Temperature With Altitude and Latitude
30
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20
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LATITUDE (ON)
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EAST
COAST
A
WEST COAST
rn
INTERIOR
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Figure 4. Average annual temperature and latitude, interior, west coast, east coast of North America.
degree of latitude (-1.6”F/degree latitude). The rate in win-
ter is over twice the summer rate, as might be expected,
and it will vary depending on the coast.
Combining both the average “altitude” and the average
“latitude” results, we get a new rule of thumb for mid
latitudes: roughly, a 200-meter increase in elevation is
equivalent to a one-degree increase in latitude (i.e. half of
the previous rule).
EXERCISES
Break the class into three groups. Have each group
go
to
www.worldclimate.com and obtain data on average annu-
al temperatures for one of
the
following three transects:
1.
West coast (La Paz, BCS, MX; San Diego, CA;
San Francisco, CA; Newport,
OR;
Quatsino, BC;
Ketchikan, AK)
2.
Interior (Brownsville, TX; Jackson, MS; St.
Louis, MO; Minneapolis, MN; Winnipeg, MAN;
Thompson, MAN)
3. East coast (Miami, FL; Savannah, GA; Atlantic
City, NJ; Halifax, NS; Fogo, NF; Nain, NF)
Have each group plot its results versus latitude (latitude is
provided at www.worldclimate.com) (Fig. 4). Groups now
compare their results and discuss reasons for the similari-
ties or differences.
Other permutations that can be completed easily
include:
1.
Seasonal differences on any given transect (i.e.
2. Extend either survey into tropical and polar
3.
Compare east coast versus west coast locations in
the tropics (influence of cold ocean currents).
If one wished, one could have students obtain the data
prior to class and use it as a means of introducing and
later summarizing the subject matter. Exercises such as
these could be used in conjunction with the “LAMPPOST”
system of explanation.
plot January and July temperatures).
latitudes.
REFERENCES
Danielson, Eric W., Levin, James, and Abrams, Elliot,
2003.
Meteorology,
2nd ed. Boston, McGraw Hill.
Fahrer, Chuck, and Harris, Dan, 2004. LAMPPOST A
Mnemonic device for teaching climate variables.
journal
of
Geography
103:86-90.
135
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This article introduces the word "LAMP-POST" as a mnemonic device to aid in the instruction of climate variables. It provides instructors with a framework for discussing climate patterns that is based on eight variables: latitude, altitude, maritime influence and continentality, pressure systems, prevailing winds, ocean currents, storms, and topography. It focuses on ways to introduce the variables in a logical sequence that provides a smooth transition from one variable to the next. It is primarily designed for instructors with a background in human geography or the social sciences who wish to incorporate elements of physical geography into their lectures.