Isotherm

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The 10°C mean isotherm in July, marked by the red line, is commonly used to define the Arctic region border

An isotherm is a line that connects points on a map that have the same temperature (iso = equal, therm = temperature). Therefore, all points through which an isotherm passes have identical temperatures for the time period indicated. Generally, isotherms representing 5^o or 10^o temperature differences are used, but any interval may be chosen. Most isotherms do not pass directly through a observing station, because the station readings may not coincide with the values chosen for the isotherms. Only an occasional station temperature will be exactly the same as the value of the isotherm, so it is usually necessary to draw the lines by estimating the proper position between stations.

[edit] See also

• isothermal process
• Isobar
• Isohyet
• Isotach

[edit] External links

• National Science Digital Library - Isotherm
• Drawing Contour Plots. A lesson plan that deals with drawing various isopleths including isotherms.
• National Science Digital Library - Isopleth Animations. An animated example that contains Isotherms.

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