Question

1. a) display the data in the table using a suitable graph. justify your choice. average monthly rainfall (mm) table with month, halifax, yellowknife columns and data for each month b) what trends does the graph show? explain. c) what inferences can you make explain.

Explanation:

Part a)

A double line graph is the suitable choice here. It effectively compares the continuous monthly rainfall data for two locations over time, making it easy to track changes and draw comparisons between Halifax and Yellowknife across the 12 months.

Part b)

• For Halifax: Rainfall is highest in winter (December: 180 mm, January: 153 mm), decreases through spring and summer to a low in June (90 mm), then rises again in fall and winter.
• For Yellowknife: Rainfall is very low in winter (10-13 mm), increases through spring and summer to a peak in August (44 mm), then decreases again in fall and winter.
• Overall, Halifax has far higher total annual rainfall than Yellowknife, with opposite seasonal patterns.

Part c)

• Halifax has a maritime climate, with consistent, high rainfall year-round, peaking in winter due to storm systems.
• Yellowknife has a subarctic climate, with very dry winters and most precipitation falling in summer as rain, since cold air holds less moisture.
• Halifax's rainfall pattern supports year-round vegetation, while Yellowknife's dry winters and short wet season limit plant growth to hardy, short-season species.

Answer:

a) Suitable graph: Double line graph (with months on the x-axis, rainfall (mm) on the y-axis, and two lines for Halifax and Yellowknife). Justification: Ideal for comparing time-series data across two groups.
b) Halifax: Winter peak, summer low rainfall. Yellowknife: Summer peak, winter low rainfall. Halifax has much higher overall rainfall.
c) Halifax has a wet maritime climate; Yellowknife has a dry subarctic climate. Halifax supports more lush vegetation, while Yellowknife's climate limits plant growth to hardy species.