Tracking Temperatures Is This a "Normal" Week? 3) Were last week's temperatures normal? Link to this map to find out. Look at the map and the color-coded key. Locate your region. Scientists who gathered weather data for decades figured out what is the "normal" climate for different regions. Each color/shade shows areas that were the same number of degrees above or below normal. Were your temperatures higher, lower, or the same as normal temperatures for your hometown? Click to link to larger map. Journaling and Discussion Questions How do you predict the past week's weather will affect your tulip garden? Explain your thinking. In what part of the country do you predict tulips will bloom first? Why do you think so? What questions do you have? How might you find answers? << Back to Start of Lesson Digging Deeper Compare the departure from normal temperature map (above) with today's Tulip Garden Map. What patterns do you notice? Print and compare each type of map each week for several weeks. What conclusions can you draw about temperatures and the advancement of spring (indicated by tulip growth) across North America? Compare the departure from normal map with maps from the last month or three months. What new patterns do you see? What statements can you make? Compare Journey North Tulip Garden Maps with other weather and climate maps (e.g., precipitation) or with temperature maps from the past month or year. Think carefully about the patterns you see. What new conclusions can you draw? What predictions can you make about when your tulips will bloom? More Helpful Weather and Climate Links >> This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2008 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.