ALTITUDE AND TEMPERATURE

A radiosonde is released to investigate high altitude weather.

• Compare the temperatures of six weather stations located at various altitudes.
1. Try to choose weather stations close to the same time zone so that the stations are receiving approximately the same amount of sunlight.
2. Make a data table using a spreadsheet with the variables of "Altitude" and "Temperature".
3. Arrange the altitude of weather stations in ascending order.
4. Record the temperature of the corresponding stations.
5. Graph altitude and temperature.


For information on temperatures of various weather stations, use Unisys Weather Map (click on the picture of the map or the region you wish to look at),WW210 (scroll down and click on surface observations map of the U.S. or your local region) from the University of Illinois, and/or Florida State University Weather Charts.
For information on the latitudes of various weather stations, use The Geographic Database or Geographic Names Information System  (in the "Feature Name" box type the city; in the "State or Territory Name" box click on the down arrow and choose the state).

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• Compare the temperature on the ground to the temperature above the ground.
1. Make a data table using a spreadsheet with the variables of "Altitude (ft.)", "Upper Air Temperatures (F)".
2. Go to Unisys Weather Upper Air Plots.
3. On the right side, under "PLOTS",you will find 3000, 6000, 9000, etc.
4. Click on the plot 3000 ft. Find a weather station. Record the temperature.
5. Repeat for readings that are at 6,000 feet, 9000 ft., etc. above the surface stations you chose. Record the corresponding upper air temperatures.
6. Graph the altitudes and the temperatures.

What is your conclusion? Does the altitude of a place and it's temperature have a pattern or are they random? If there is a pattern, what is the relationship?

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