Identifying patterns of change in the equatorial Pacific: precipitation We can understand changes in the way that the ocean and atmosphere move by looking at changes in the ocean and atmosphere over several years. You’re going to look at some ocean and atmosphere data collected from the equatorial Pacific to try to understand how conditions in the Pacific Ocean change over time. You have 10 years of precipitation estimates from the equatorial Pacific (1992-2001). Focus on the top maps first. The top maps illustrate precipitation rate (in average millimeters/day) for the months of December, January, and February (DJF). There are two symbols on the map: The colors represent amount of precipitation in mm/day. The lines are called contour lines and also represent precipitation. For example, any point that lies on the line that says is a point where the precipitation was 14 “14” mm/day. (1) In 1991-92, where do you find the highest precipitation rate? (Specify with a range of latitude and longitude.) How high is the precipitation here (in mm/day)? (2) Scroll through the top maps for 1993-2001. Do these data look similar to the 1992 data with respect to precipitation? Now, focus on the bottom maps. For each year, the bottom map shows the anomalies in precipitation. As you thought about in preparation for today, an anomaly means a deviation (change) from There are two symbols on the map: “normal”. The colors represent precipitation anomalies in mm/day. For example, an anomaly of 6 means that there were 6 mm/day more precipitation than average. An anomaly of -6 means that there were 6 mm/day less precipitation than average. The lines are called contour lines and also represent precipitation anomalies. For example, any point that lies on the line that says is a point where there were 6 “6” mm/day more precipitation than average. (3) Which color on the map is used to represent an anomaly of zero? (4) Which color on the map is used to represent a strongly positive anomaly?
Identifying patterns of change in the equatorial Pacific: precipitation We can understand changes in the way that the ocean and atmosphere move by looking at changes in the ocean and atmosphere over several years. You’re going to look at some ocean and atmosphere data collected from the equatorial Pacific to try to understand how conditions in the Pacific Ocean change over time. You have 10 years of precipitation estimates from the equatorial Pacific (1992-2001). Focus on the top maps first. The top maps illustrate average precipitation rate (in millimeters/day) for the months of December, January, and February (DJF). There are two symbols on the map: The colors represent amount of precipitation in mm/day. The lines are called contour lines and also represent precipitation. For example, any point that lies on the line that says “14” is a point where the precipitation was 14 mm/day. (1) In 1991-92, where do you find the highest precipitation rate? (Specify with a range of latitude and longitude.) How high is the precipitation here (in mm/day)? (2) Scroll through the top maps for 1993-2001. Do these data look similar to the 1992 data with respect to precipitation? Now, focus on the bottom maps. For each year, the bottom map shows the anomalies in precipitation. As you thought about in preparation for today, an anomaly means a deviation (change) from “normal”. There are two symbols on the map: The colors represent precipitation anomalies in mm/day. For example, an anomaly of 6 means that there were 6 mm/day more precipitation than average. An anomaly of -6 means that there were 6 mm/day less precipitation than average. The lines are called contour lines and also represent precipitation anomalies. For example, any point that lies on the line that says “6” is a point where there were 6 mm/day more precipitation than average. (3) Which color on the map is used to represent an anomaly of zero? (4) Which color on the map is used to represent a strongly positive anomaly?
modified_in-class_exercise_cas.docx