A classroom/laboratory activity to calculate the mean daily temperature using hourly temperature data and to compare different statistical techniques for determining this value.
Students will use a given data set to calculate the mean daily temperature of a location, as determined by a meteorologist. They will also discuss weather events that might affect the value of the mean daily temperature.
Use this tool to help your students find answers to:
- Given hourly temperatures over a 24-hour period for a particular location, calculate the mean daily temperature using different methods.
- Compare the results obtained from the different methods used (in 1.). Explain the reason for the similarity or difference in the calculated values of mean daily temperature.
About the Tool
Tool Name | Meteorologist for a day |
Discipline | Statistics |
Topic(s) in Discipline | Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Inter-quartile Range |
Climate Topic | Climate Variability Record |
Type of Tool | Laboratory Activity |
Grade Level | High School |
Location | New Zealand |
Language | English |
Translation | |
Developed by | Lesley Mackintosh |
Hosted at | National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand |
Link | https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate/meteorologist |
Access | Online/Offline |
Computer Skills | Basic |
(Image Credit: Meteorology and Air Quality Group – WUR, New Zealand)