How’s the Weather? Extreme Weather Report
Due: ___________________________
Days in Class to work on: B: 1/31, 2/4, 2/10 and 2/19; A: 2/3, 2/5, 2/11 and 2/20
Directions:
Each group of students will be asked to create a simulated 5-day weather forecast from a
different region of the world. The report must be based off of actual recorded data and weather
phenomena that have recently occurred. Each student in your group will be responsible for a role
in your broadcast.
Procedure:
Each weather group will consist of 4-6 students. Each member will have at least two roles (see
jobs below). You will need to familiarize yourself with the weather vocabulary that will be used
during your broadcast.
1. Choose a region to research. Select a region with characteristics that make it unique (try to
select one that recently experienced an extreme weather event).
2. Choose a major city within that region to research weather patterns/climate.
3. Create a weather report. Your presentation can be recorded or a live presentation. Your
report must include the following components:
a. Daily Weather Report: Your daily report must include a large weather map for the
class to see. It may be necessary to make more than one. The weather map must
be appropriate to your region and include:
- Pressure systems
- Temperatures and Humidity
- Weather Fronts and Precipitation
- Air Quality Report. Must include at least 3 criteria pollutants measured, the color
and what it means, and any recommended actions for the day
b. Five Day Forecast: This segment shows the predicted five day weather forecast.
This segment usually includes any extreme weather, temperature highs/lows and
precipitation/cloud cover for the next five days.
c. Extreme Weather Event: Your region is experiencing some form of extreme weather
event. In order to inform your audience, you will need to explain how your severe
weather forms and describe how to prepare and take precautions against it. Charts
and graphs may be helpful here. It must be relative to the area you chose. Don’t
make up weather events – we’ve had enough weird weather recently.
d. Human Interest Story on Climate Change: Your presentation must include a news
story that focuses on climate change and how it impacts our lives. To conduct this
piece it may be useful to hold interviews, travel to various off site locations, or use
any other methods to tell an interesting weather story.
4. The weather broadcasters must explain the information on the weather maps so that a
uniformed audience would understand. It is important that all your components make
sense (example: low pressure is associated with cloud cover). Your weather forecast must
be appropriate to the area you choose – don’t say Virginia is experiencing a heat wave this
month!
5. Overall presentation times should be between 3-5 minutes. Cap time of 8 minutes.
Presentation:
TV broadcasters often have news anchors in the studio, meteorologists that depict the maps, and
correspondents in the field. A good idea would be to watch the local weather forecasts at night to
get some ideas about how to make your broadcast as real as possible. You can add other
components into your report only if you have done everything else first and are under the time
limit!
Supplies:
You will have access to flip cameras but only on school property. You will be able to use the
Promethean board during your presentation (live – use PowerPoint, if filmed it must open on a
school computer). You will be able to use Moviemaker, Audacity, and any of the school software.
YouTube is not reliable at school, make sure your clip can open here if you use it.
Jobs:
- News Anchors (2) __________________________________________
-
Meteorologists (1-2) _________________________________________
-
Drawing the maps or obtaining the graphics (2-3)
______________________________________________________________________
-
Extreme weather (2) ____________________________________________
-
Human Interest piece on climate change (2) _____________________________________
-
Camera person? (1) _____________________________________
Useful Resources:
- Weather Underground: wunderground.com
- Air Now: airnow.gov
- The Weather Channel: weather.com
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: noaa.gov
- Accuweather – How do Meteorologists Make a Weather Forecast?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/how-do-meteorologists-makeforecast/4716627
Other:
- Be Neat/Creative
- Enthusiastic and Professional
- School Appropriate
“The storm starts, when the drops start dropping. When the drops stop dropping then the storm starts
stopping.”
~ Dr. Seuss
Getting Started
Climate:
Climate Region: ______________________________________________
Location: ____________________________________________
Typical Weather Patterns:
Common Plants/Animals/Terrain:
Common Activities/Hobbies that are done in the area:
Daily Weather Prediction:
Where are the high-pressure systems? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Where are the low-pressure systems? _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Which way will the wind blow? _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How fast will the wind blow? _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Where will the weather fronts be? What kind will they be? _______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What will the cloud cover be like? What type of clouds would be associated with the front that is
passing? ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How will this be shown on the map? _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What type of clouds would be associated with the front that is passing? _____________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What will the humidity be like? _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What will the AQI be?
Criteria Pollutants Measured
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Calculated Air Quality Index Number
_________________
_________________
_________________
Color: ______________________
Words: ________________________________________________
Due to: _____________________
Action for the Day: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Five Day Weather Report:
What will the weather most likely be like for the next five days? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What will the high and low temperatures be? __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What will the cloud cover/precipitation be? ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Extreme Weather Event:
What type of extreme weather is your region experiencing? ______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What causes this type of weather to occur? ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What are the dangers? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What are some precautions that can be taken? ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How long with this weather event last? _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Where can viewers follow up to get more information? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Human Interest Story on Climate Change
Your group needs to decide if they believe climate change is occurring. Once you know the angle
of your story you will need to decide how to present this piece.
What will your story be?
Who will you interview?