Weather Prediction Mary Kate Hall Grand Canyon University TEC 551 April 17, 2013

How Do We Predict The Weather? If you can not view the video click this link

What are the goals of this lesson? To understand the tools that a meteorologist uses to predict weather. Learn how these tools can be observed, measured, and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns. Practice reporting and predicting weather Record and predict simple weather patterns.

The Tools of the Trade Meteorologists use tools to help them predict the weather. By using a combination of these tools they are able to predict weather that will happen in the near future. Weather forecasting is not an exact science, however by using modern technology forecasters have a very good idea of what will happen. Tools used by Meteorologists: Barometer-Air Pressure Thermometer – Air Temperature Anemometer -Wind Speed Rain Gauge-Amount of Rain Satellites-Takes pictures from space RADAR- Uses radio waves to determine the location of objects

Barometer The instrument we use to judge barometric pressure or air pressure is called a barometer. There are numbers on a barometer that range from 28 to 31. A barometer is used for predicting weather in one to two days, not today. It is a device used to help predict the weather. The lower the Barometer gets, the worse the weather gets. If the Barometer drops below 30 there is going to be a change in the weather. Generally, if the barometer reads 30 our area will have nice weather for two days. The higher the Barometer is over 30 the nicer the weather will be.

Air Pressure If you can not view the video click this link

Thermometer Click here to play interactive thermometer game. A thermometer is a device used to measure the temperature of something, such as air or water. Freezing is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing is 0 degrees in Celsius. Boiling is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiling is 100 degrees Celcius

Wind Speed and Rain Gauge Anemometer Measures Wind Speed and direction. Rain Gauge Measures amount of rainfall

RADAR RADAR sends out radio waves to determine the location of presence, speed and distance of objects. Maps are color coded with green meaning rain and blue meaning snow. The direction weather travels depends on atmospheric winds.

Using RADAR to Predict Weather If you can not view the video click this link

Clouds Cirrus Thin wispy clouds Predict a change in the weather in 1-2 days Cumulus Puffy clouds that look like cotton balls Predict a fair weather Stratus Clouds that often appear grey and cover the sky Blanket Clouds that often contain rain

Using Clouds for Weather Prediction If you can not view the video click this link A cloud is millions of water droplets condensed on dust particles.

Using the Tools to Predict the Weather Using the meteorology tools you have learned about, you are able to combine the data to make a prediction on the upcoming weather. Using the table below make a prediction about what the weather forecast may be. Did you predict that a storm may arrive in the next two days? If you did, you are correct! BarometerAir Temp.Wind Speed PrecipitationCloud Cover Degrees10 mphNoneCumulus

Click these links to lead you to a game where you report and predict the weather. Play the Game! First Forecast the weatherForecast the weather Then Predict the WeatherPredict the Weather

Assignment Every day we are going to track the weather patterns for the Clearfield, UT area. When you arrive in the morning you will look up the weather on and record the data on the attached spreadsheet. At the end of each week, compile each column into a graph and use that graph to predict the weather for the upcoming week. Click on this link to open the spreadsheet. Weather Spreadsheet

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Picable. (2013). Guage. Retrieved from on May 15, The Wonderful World of Weather. (2009). Clouds. Retrieved from on May 15, Utah Education Network. (2013). Sci-ber Text. Retrieved from on May 15, Waterindex. (2013). Weather Station. Retrieved from gauge-Weather-station56-p1.htm on May 15, gauge-Weather-station56-p1.htm Web Weather for Kids. (2000). Clouds. Retrieved from on May 15, Wikimeda Commons. (2013). File:Cirrus clouds mar08.jpg. Retrieved from on May 15, Wikipedia. (2013). File:GoldenMedows.jpg Retrieved from on May 15, References