How does El Niño affect us here in Maryland? Let's find out.

First, let's examine precipitation (rain and snow) data for Baltimore, Maryland. This data includes inches of precipitation during each month of a previous El Niño year (1983), this past El Niño year (1997), and the normal amount of monthly precipitation (a 48-year average) for Baltimore. By examining this data we can try to predict how future El Niño might affect Baltimore and the surrounding regions of Maryland.

ACTIVITY 7

Using three different colors of crayons or markers, plot the data on your worksheet. You will find a copy of the data and a graph outline on your worksheet. You may make either a line graph or a bar graph.

Baltimore (normal)*

Month	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Precip	3.12	3.07	3.96	3.19	3.91	3.52	3.84	4.21	3.58	3.03	3.38	3.64

Baltimore (1983)*

Month	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Precip	2.73	4.86	9.76	7.30	5.53	6.15	2.08	1.23	1.78	4.41	5.24	7.14

Baltimore (1997)*

Month	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Precip	2.59	1.92	5.26	1.90	1.97	2.22	1.77	3.24	3.13	2.16	5.67	2.39

* Data Source: NOAA National Climactic Data Center

Based on your graph, can you make any predictions as to how the next El Niño might affect Maryland? What would you need to be able to make a more accurate prediction? Record your thoughts on your worksheet.