Climate Graph Reference Sheet

Matching the Graph to a Biome


  1. Analyze the temperature first

    1. Is the location colder than Massachusetts? → Taiga or Tundra

    2. Is the location’s temperature similar to Massachusetts? - Temperate Desert, Temperate Grassland, or Temperate Forest

    3. Is the location warmer than Massachusetts and has no winter? - Tropical/Subtropical Desert, Tropical Grassland (Savanna), or Tropical Forest

  2. Analyze the precipitation second

    1. Does the location receive the lowest levels of precipitation when compared to the other locations (graphs)?  - Tundra, Temperate Desert, or Tropical/Subtropical Desert

    2. Does the location receive a moderate amount of precipitation compared to the other locations (graphs)? - Taiga, Temperate Grassland, or Tropical Grassland (Savanna)

    3. Does the location receive high levels of precipitation compared to the other location? - Temperate Forest or Tropical Forest


Matching the Graph to a Location on a Map


  1. Is the location found in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere?


  1. Is the location found in the high latitudes, mid-latitudes, or low latitudes?


  • High latitudes - colder winters than our - Subarctic (Taiga) or Arctic (Tundra), typically higher than 55° latitude 

  • Mid-latitudes - similar to our climate - Temperate, typically between 35°-55° latitude

  • Low latitudes - warmer than our climate with no winter - Tropical/Subtropical, typically between 0° and 35°

    • Equatorial is 0° to 7°

    • Tropical is 7° to 23.5°

    • Sub-tropical is 23.5° to 35°


  1. How many climate controls make it dry or wet?

    1. Latitude/Prevailing Winds

      1. Low-Pressure Belt (more precipitation)

      2. High-Pressure Belt (less precipitation)

    2. Nearby Water/Prevailing Winds

      1. How close is the location from a large body of water (e.g. ocean)

      2. Is the location down wind from the water?

      3. Is the location surrounded by land?

    3. Topography/Prevailing Winds

      1. Is the location on the windward or leeward side of the mountain?

      2. How far up the windward side of the mountain is the location?