Lab: Forecasting the Weather
Click here for the procedures
Click here for the Additional Resources/a>
Procedures
1. The instructor will divide students into groups of 4 students.
2. Each student should select one type of data to measure for the week. Choose between: Cloud data, wind data, temperature, humidity and air pressure. One category will not be used.
3. For your selected data type, follow the instructions to use the instrument and make 3 recordings of your data type per day at the same time of day.
4. On the last day of the lab, plot your data on graph paper. Answer the following individual questions on your own. Then answer the group questions in your group.
Data Type: Cloud Coverage
Each day, go outside and observe the clouds. Using the Cloud Chart, identify which cloud types you see. Record these in your data sheet. Then, select an area in the sky to use the mirror. Divide the mirror into 8 equal parts using the dry erase marker. Point the mirror towards the sky, and estimate the fraction of the grid covered by clouds. Record this as a fraction over 8 or use the term we learned last week. You may use the cloud coverage key to guide you!
Data Type: Wind Data
Each day, go outside and observe the winds. Using the anemometer, hold the sensor into the wind and record the speed in mph. Orient the compass at the top to north and determine the direction from which the wind is blowing. Record wind direction as the direction of the wind’s origin (with the suffix –ly).
Data Type: Temperature
Each day, go outside and observe the temperature. Use the thermometer to make a measurement of the temperature in degrees Celsius. Record in your data table.
Data Type: Humidity
Each day, go outside and observe the humidity. Using a psychrometer (wet bulb and dry bulb thermometer) measure the temperature in the wet bulb ad dry bulb. Find the difference of these temperatures, and use the Relative Humidity Conversion Chart to determine the % relative humidity. Record this percentage in your data table.
Data Type: Air Pressure
Each day, go outside and observe the air pressure. Using an aneroid barometer, determine the reading in inches of mercury. Record this value on your data table.
Individual Questions:
1. Using the graph paper, graph your weekly measurements. This should include a title, axis labels, units, and your data.
2. What do you predict your data would be tomorrow? Write your prediction below:
3. Why did you choose that prediction? What information, background knowledge and/or trends did you think about?
Group Questions:
4. Trade data (graphs and or/ written data) with a partner in your group. Ask them to make a prediction for your data type for tomorrow. Share your predictions. Discuss why you might have ended up with different predictions. Now, would you modify your prediction?
5. Have each group member present their data findings to the group. As a group, determine predictions for each aspect of tomorrow’s weather.
Predictions:
Cloud Coverage:
Cloud Type:
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Temperature:
Pressure:
Relative Humidity:
6. What types of information would make this process easier? List as many as you can think of.
7. Using the additional information given by your instructor, you may go back and make improvements to your group’s weather forecast.
8. In your opinion, what information is still missing for you to feel confident about your prediction?
Resources to Use When Predicting Weather
Radar, live streaming
Clouds - Which types bring what weather?
US Air Pressure Readings
cloudchart-hres.pdf | |
File Size: | 2226 kb |
File Type: |
Resources to Use When Correcting Your Prediction
Click here to read Foot's Forecast and see what other factors they considered in their forecast!
Air Circulation Patterns
Latent heat and other properties of water
Fronts, Illustrated
How else is air moving? Jet Stream
Seasonal variation due to planetary motion
Our place in the long term global climate... !