Climate and Meteorology 4 Meteorology

Collect hourly weather data for one dayMake weather station models of the data. Graph weather data. Write analysis and reflection of the lab.

Introduction:

The objective of this lab assignment is to determine how we can use weather data to predict the weather.

Objective

How can we use the relationships among weather data to produce a forecast?

Problem

What will the weather be like at the location of your choice>

Why?

Prediction

Use the National Weather Service site to choose a location for your hourly observations.

http://weather.noaa.gov/

All 24 hours are already recorded – you don’t have to do this yourself!!

Materials and Procedures

Weather.noaa.gov

Now we choose a location – any location!

This is what you should see now…

Insert Table 8 columns, 24 rows

Time

Temp(F) Air Pressure

Humidity

Cloud Cover

Wind Speed and Direction

Dew Point (F)

Add’lWeather Data

00:53

82 1013.5 77% None NE 5 mph

74 none

Weather Data-Location: Titusville, Fl Date: September 7th and 8th

CLR = clear FEW = partly cloudy SCTD= scattered clouds BKN= very cloudy OVC= overcast NA = no information available

What does the Sky Conditions column mean?

Why is it important to be able to predict the weather?

Weather Station Models:You might not have 4 am and 4 pm exactly, use the

time closest to them Be sure to do both!!

Why would a weather station model be used instead of saying

all the weather conditions?

82 F

74 F

1013.5

5 mph

Part III: Creating Graphs (30 Points)Time on the X axis

Temperature for the Y axis

Include units and add titles to the graphs.

Use www.chartgo.com

Copy and paste the sharedURL in the space below.

Example: http://www.chartgo.com/share.do?id=9611ba43aa

This is the part with the graphs!

I know what air temperature is …dew point???

Dew point Temperature and Air Temperature

Dew point is the temperature that the air is saturated with water vapor– think of humidity.

High dew point temperatures – 70 and above – tend to be more humid, and can feel uncomfortable.

If the dew point is high, there is a better chance there is fog, severe humidity, or even rain.

When the air temperature is high, you sweat to cool down – if the dew point temperature is high, your sweat doesn’t evaporate, making you feel sticky and hot!

Dew point Temperature and Air Temperature

Let’s make a graph!

Under the chart is the link to paste into your lab report!

Air Pressure Graph

What do you think air pressure is?

We check air pressure in our tires – if it’s low, the tires go flat!

When you go up in an airplane or climb a very tall mountain, air pressure decreases. WHY?

Air pressure in our lives

There is less air. Zero air pressure creates a vacuum – think of outer

space No air pressure is not pretty for people! Changes in air pressure causes the wind to blow- Warm, low density air (low air pressure) rises, cool,

higher density air sinks in to replace it. Wind speed and direction is predicted using air

pressure

When you go up in an airplane or climb a very tall mountain, air pressure decreases. WHY?

Chart title: Air Pressure X title: Time Y title: Air Pressure

Now create the Air Pressure Graph

1. In your own words, write an analysis of the weather that occurred on the day you selected, based on the surface weather station models you created.

What was the weather like that day??

Analysis and Conclusions

1. What did you learn about weather forecasting by completing the activity?

Reflection Questions:(12 points)

2. In your own words, how are weather data used to make forecasts?

3. In your own words, what is the relationship between temperature, dew point, and air pressure? Think about the graphs and what we discussed!

4. Did your findings support your weather predictions? What are the possible sources of error? (I read it wrong is not always a reason!)