El-Nino and La-Nina
Directions: Using the Internet, look up the monthly sea surface temperature data for the periods of 1) July 1982 - June 1983,  2) July 1988-June 1989, and 3) July 1991 - June 1992.  Your teacher has the web site addresses.
A) Save all global sea surface temperature images as either a TIFF or a PICT.
B) Use image processing software to create three animated movies; one for each group of images.
C) Save the animations.
C) Answer the questions below.  To answer some of the questions, you will need to use the following formulas:
Temperature conversion from DN Value to degrees Celsius: C = -.176 * DN + 43
Temperature conversion from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit: F = 1.8 * C + 32

1) Write down some of the similarities and differences in ocean sea surface temperature that you notice between the animations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Open the images from December of 1982, 1987, and 1991.  Using the box tool from the Tools menu (it is the first icon in the second column), and starting at an X value of 1, and a Y value of 80, draw a box that is 90 pixels in length and 20 pixels in height.

2) Complete the tables below:

 
Central Pacific Temp. Means Data Number (Value) Degrees Celsius Degrees Fahrenheit
December 1982 _ _ _
December 1988 _ _ _
December 1991 _ _ _
 
 
Central Pacific Low Temps Data Number (Value) Degrees Celsius Degrees Fahrenheit
December 1982 _ _ _
December 1988 _ _ _
December 1991 _ _ _

Open the images from January of 1983, 1988, and 1992, and perform the same tasks as for the December images.

3) Complete the tables below:

 
Central Pacific Temp. Means Data Number (Value) Degrees Celsius Degrees Fahrenheit
January 1983 _ _ _
January 1989 _ _ _
January 1992 _ _ _
 
 
Central Pacific Low Temps Data Number (Value) Degrees Celsius Degrees Fahrenheit
January 1983 _ _ _
January 1989 _ _ _
January 1992 _ _ _

4) The higher the Data Number (Value), the lower the actual temperature.  Why does this happen?
 
 
 
 

5) Higher than normal sea surface temperatures in this area of the Pacific indicate an El-Nino.  Lower than normal sea surface temperatures in this area indicate a La-Nina.  Classify each:

1982 - 1983:

1988 - 1989:

1991 - 1992:

6) Using the January images, move the cursor to X=50, Y=90.  Record the Data Number (Value) below, and fill out the table.
 
X = 50, Y = 90 Data Number (Value) Degrees Celsius Degrees Fahrenheit
January 1983 _ _ _
January 1989 _ _ _
January 1992 _ _ _

7) What is the difference (in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit) in ocean temperature of January 1983 and January 1989?