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Complete the Phoenix and Flagstaff
sections of Data Table 1 on your answer sheet, using
the climate data provided on the pop-up screen for each
location.
How to determine which climate control factors cause
major differences in climate between Phoenix and Flagstaff.
Compare each of the climate variables
in Data Table 1 for which you recorded data. Next, identify
the climate variables that are the most different between
the two locations. For this example, significant differences
exist in the amount of snow precipitation that falls
in Flagstaff compared to Phoenix. There are also major
differences in the minimum and maximum temperatures
for January as well as July.
Now, think about which climate control
factors (latitude, elevation, water, ocean currents,
topography, prevailing winds, or vegetation) are likely
to cause these major differences between the local climates
of Phoenix and Flagstaff.
Notice that there is a large difference
in elevation between Phoenix and Flagstaff, but not
much difference in latitude. Elevation must therefore
play a major role in determining the local climate for
each place, because these two cities are not very far
away from each other.
Some climate control factors have
greater influence than others, depending upon the location
of the place being considered. For example, water has
little influence on the climate of Phoenix and Flagstaff
because no major bodies of water are located near either
of these places.
In Data Table 2, indicate which
climate control factors (latitude, elevation, water,
ocean currents, topography, prevailing winds, or vegetation)
appear to have major influence on the local climates
of Phoenix and Flagstaff. Next, indicate which climate
control factors appear to have minor influence.
2. Provide a justification for each factor
you indicated as having major influence on the climates
of Phoenix, Arizona and Flagstaff, Arizona.
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