How are Miami, FL, Raleigh, NC, and Schenectady, NY all similar? Well, they are all US east coast cities. How are they all different? Well, many ways, and I'm thinking about the major differences in average temperatures. We attribute these average temperature differences to latitude. 

    But, what if we looked at US cities that all had similar latitudes? Would average temperatures also be similar? Let's investigate.

Mary E. Silveira Elementary School San Rafael, CA	Cripple Creek - Victor High School Cripple Creek, CO	Wydown Middle School St Louis, MO	WeatherBug Headquarters Germantown, MD
Monthly Observations for San Rafael, CA	Monthly Observations for Cripple Creek, CO	Monthly Observations for St Louis, MO	Monthly Observations for Germantown, MD
San Rafael, CA Latitude: 38º 2' N Longitude: 122º  32' W Elevation: 7 feet Zip Code:  94903	Cripple Creek, CO Latitude: 38º 34'     N Longitude: 105º  10'   W Elevation: 9508 feet  Zip Code: 80813	St. Louis, MO Latitude: 38º 38'  N Longitude: 90º  18'  W Elevation: 552 feet Zip Code:  63105	Germantown, MD Latitude: 39º  12'  N Longitude: 77º  15'  W Elevation: 508 feet Zip Code: 20876

1. So, what do you think? Would an average of the high temperatures for the past ten days be similar for each of the four cities?

2. Make a prediction based on the question above. 

3. Use the "monthly observations" links for each location in order to record the daily maximum temperatures for each location. Use the Spreadsheet below in order to find the past 10-day average.

You can replicate this study with any combination of locations at similar latitudes. It's also interesting to study locations at differing latitudes, yet similar longitudes.

Set up your own study. We would love it if you report back to us regarding your findings.