Temperature fluctuations from months January-April
Figure 1- Mean temp, highest temp and lowest temp (oC) in January 2011 Eau Claire Wi.
Figure 2 - Mean temp, highest temp and lowest temp (oC) in February 2011 Eau Claire Wi.
Figure 3 - Mean temp, highest temp and lowest temp (oC) in March 2011 Eau Claire Wi.
Figure 4 - Mean temp, highest temp and lowest temp (oC) in April 2011 Eau Claire Wi.
As seen in the blog, high and low temperatures do correlate with the data shown in the graphs.
Comparison of Rainfall & Mean Temperature
Figure 5 - Comparison between Mean temperature (C) & Rainfall (mm) in March.
Figure 6 - Comparison between Mean temperature (C) & Rainfall (mm) in April.
This data only included rainfall precipitation not snow, therefore the graphs only display rainfall events in mm. We see in the blog that the events with high temperatures & rainfall can be linked to a certain event. Such as particular cloud types and thunderstorms.
Pie graphs representing dominant wind direction throughout the following months
Figure 7 - Dominancy of the direction of winds during the month of January.
Figure 8 - Dominancy of the direction of winds during the month of February.
Figure 9 - Dominancy of the direction of winds during the month of March.
Figure 10 - Dominancy of the direction of winds during the month of April (from the 1-26th)
Through the first months of the year (jan-feb), Westerly winds are the prevailing winds overall, they account for over 25% of the winds in these months. Westerly winds prevail in these months because EC is located in the mid-latitude cell and in the winter months there is low pressure at the poles which induces westerly winds.
As we move out of the winter months and into spring easterly winds begin to prevail, which is also why we start to see more precipitate. These winds change as the low pressure becomes high and we then see less westerly winds in the spring/summer seasons. This year we still have an unusual amount of westerly winds which is why we still have cold temperatures.
Looking at the graphs we can assume that the westerly winds are associated with lower temperatures. As these winds gradually decrease temperatures increase. Along with easterly winds usually bringing rainfall/snow events. We can see this aspect in the weather blogs, most precipitate occurs during an easterly wind. While cold/dry temperatures aren’t usually associated with easterly winds. This can be seen in the climograph below, it is easy to see the correlation between seasons which are usually controlled by wind patterns. Eau Claire/north America has very distinct seasonal changes compared to where I’m from in Australia where the change of seasons is less distinct.
Climograph
Figure 3 - Eau Claire Climograph, Mean temperature & Mean Rainfall (Note this is rainfall not snowfall)
This climograph represents the weather recorded between 1961 & 1990. This means the data may not be completely accurate because 21 years have passed since then. We do see similar trends such as a general increase in temperature/precipitate as the seasons progress. But the general trend is still clearly outlined, with increasing rainfall and temperature in the middle of the year in the warmer months.
Some Australian City climographs
As you can see with these two cities in Australia, the seasons are very different. Summer months in the
