Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
The climate is a dynamic system that influences our lives on a daily basis. Numerous studies have looked at both natural and human factors that interact to influence and control the climate. Largely, these studies have focused on the global climate. The objective of this study was to look at possible human influences on the regional climate of Virginia over roughly the past century. To examine this, climate data were collected and analyzed from fifteen weather stations from across Virginia. The annual mean temperatures, growing season length (GSL), diurnal temperature range (DTR), and population change were calculated for each weather station through time. These data were then analyzed to look for a relationship between population change and climate change on the local level. This analysis revealed that there is a relationship between population change and changes in GSL and DTR at some sites, while there does not appear to be a clear relationship at others. Future studies should focus on different ways in which humans impact the climate and their impacts on the local to regional scale.
Date Awarded
2013
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Christopher M. Bailey
Recommended Citation
Broadwell, Kirkland S., "Comparative Climate Analysis of Virginia During the 20th and 21st Centuries" (2013). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 284.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/284
