Climate and Meteorology 4
Meteorology
Introduction:
Collect hourly weather data for one day
Make weather station models of the data.
Graph weather data.
Write analysis and reflection of the lab.
Objective
The objective of this lab assignment is to determine
how we can use weather data to predict the weather.
Problem
How can we use the relationships among weather data
to produce a forecast?
Prediction
 What will the weather be like at the location of your choice>
 Why?
Materials and Procedures
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!!
Weather.noaa.gov
Now we choose a location – any
location!
This is what you should see now…
Insert  Table  8 columns, 24 rows
Weather Data-Location: Titusville, Fl
Date: September 7th and 8th
Time Temp(F)
Air
Humidity Cloud
Wind
Dew
Add’l
Pressure
Cover
Speed and Point
Weather
Direction (F)
Data
00:53
82
1013.5
77%
None
NE 5 mph
74
none
What does the Sky Conditions column mean?
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CLR = clear
FEW = partly cloudy
SCTD= scattered clouds
BKN= very cloudy
OVC= overcast
NA = no information available
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
This is the part with the graphs!
 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
Dew point Temperature and Air
Temperature
 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!
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?
Air pressure in our lives
 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?
When you go up in an airplane or climb a very
tall mountain, air pressure decreases. WHY?





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 blowWarm, 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
Now create the Air Pressure Graph
 Chart title: Air Pressure
 X title: Time
 Y title: Air Pressure
Analysis and Conclusions
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??
Reflection Questions:(12 points)
1. What did you learn about weather forecasting by completing the
activity?
 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!)