Figure SE-A-1: A Climatograph displays a site's temperature and precipitation levels. Precipitation is shown with a bar graph because it is a cumulative, not continuous, phenomena.

Patterns are said to be interrelated when a change in one causes a change in the other. However, the patterns need not be identical. For example, when temperatures in many regions are at their highest, the precipitation levels are at their lowest. Even though these patterns are opposite, they are still interrelated because when the hot season ends and temperature levels fall, the precipitation levels usually increase. This cause-and-effect relationship is what characterizes interrelated phenomena.

 What kinds of climates are represented by each of the climatographs? (Ask only if students are sufficiently prepared to answer this question.)

• By creating climatographs for sites around the world, challenge students to identify as many different kinds of climates as possible. See the ten climatographs in Figure SE-A-2.

Figure SE-A-2: Sample Climatographs: Patterns Associated with Different Climates

Average Total PrecipitationAverage Maximum Temperature