Collecting Weather Data
3rd Grade PSI
Teacher’s Notes:
 If you are unable to obtain a specific weather tool, show the students pictures
found online. The purpose of this part of the activity is for the students to see how
form meets function. Let them feel the tools. How do they work? How does the
structure allow them to collect different types of information?
 Be sure that the students are collecting weather data at approximately the same
time every day. Otherwise, some of the information cannot be compared.
 You have a few options about how to run this activity. You can allow students to
each observe the weather each day and write in their charts. Or, you can rotate
through the students, having one or two students observe the weather daily.
 Weather Chart notes:
o Clouds: Three types of clouds have been included on the cloud chart.
These are the clouds that are covered in this unit. If you would like them to
learn additional clouds, supply them with additional
posters/handouts/pictures that will provide them with the necessary
information.
o Wind Direction: Review with students how to determine wind direction.
Wind speed is described as the direction from which the wind is blowing. A
west wind is blowing from the west, NOT towards the west.
o Wind Speed: Even if you have an anemometer, have the students
describe the wind using the Beaufort wind scale. This helps them to use
their observational skills.
www.njctl.org
3rd Grade PSI
Weather & Climate
Collecting Weather Data
Name: __________________________
3rd Grade PSI
Introduction:
Weather describes the current state of the atmosphere. Describe
the weather where you are right now:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Scientists who study the weather are called meteorologists.
Meteorologists use specific tools to study the weather. They use
the information they get from the tools to predict future weather.
Your teacher is going to show you several weather tools. As each
tool is described, summarize its purpose in the chart below.
Tool
Purpose
How does it work?
Thermometer
Rain Gauge
Wind Vane
Anemometer
www.njctl.org
3rd Grade PSI
Weather & Climate
Purpose:
For the next several days, you will be using these tools, as well as
some other information, to collect weather data. Later in the unit,
you will analyze this information to make conclusions about
weather in your area.
Materials:
 Weather tools
 Cloud chart
 Wind chart
 Weather chart
Procedure:
1. Make sure to collect weather data at the same time every
day. This ensures that you will be able to compare the data.
(For example, if you take a temperature reading at 8 a.m.
one day and at 2 p.m. the next day, the results do not show
a weather change. They simply show that the sun is hotter in
the afternoon.)
2. Fill out each section of the chart:
a. Date/time: Write the date and the time.
b. Temp.: Write the current temperature by reading a
thermometer.
c. Clouds: What type of clouds are in the sky? Use the
cloud chart to help you. Some clouds are combinations
of the three cloud types supplied to you. Use your best
judgment to describe the clouds in the sky.
d. Cloud Cover: How much of the sky is covered in
clouds? If all of the sky is filled with clouds, this would
be 100%. If half of the sky is filled, write 50%. If just a
www.njctl.org
3rd Grade PSI
Weather & Climate
section of the sky is filled, write 25%. If it is a clear day,
write 0%.
e. Wind Direction: Use a wind vane or a compass to
determine the direction that the wind is blowing. Name
the wind by describing where it is coming from. For
example, a westerly wind blows from the west towards
the east.
f. Wind Speed: Use an anemometer and the Beaufort
wind scale to determine the speed of the wind. If an
anemometer is present, write down the wind speed and
the Beaufort number. If an anemometer is not present,
just write the Beaufort number.
g. Precipitation: Is there any precipitation? If so, write
down what type (rain, snow, etc.). Also, if there is any
water in the rain gauge from the past 24 hours, write
down how much and then empty the rain gauge.
www.njctl.org
3rd Grade PSI
Weather & Climate
Weather Chart
Date/Time
www.njctl.org
Temp.
Clouds
Cloud
Cover
3rd Grade PSI
Wind
Direction
Wind
Speed
Precipitation
Weather & Climate
Cloud Chart
Cloud Type
www.njctl.org
Name
Description
Stratus
Low clouds
that may be
gray in color.
They cover
most of the
sky.
Cumulus
Puffy, white
clouds
Cirrus
Thin, wispy
clouds high in
the
atmosphere
3rd Grade PSI
Weather & Climate
Beaufort Wind Scale
Beaufort Wind Scale (Land)
Beaufort
Number
0
Wind speed
(knots)
Less than 1
1
1to 3
Light Air
2
4 to 6
Light Breeze
3
7 to 10
Gentle Breeze
4
11 to 16
Moderate Breeze
5
17-21
Fresh Breeze
6
22-27
Strong Breeze
7
28-33
Near Gale
8
34-40
Gale
9
41-47
Strong Gale
10
48-55
Storm
11
56-63
Violent Storm
12
64+
Hurricane
www.njctl.org
Classification
Land Conditions
Calm
Calm, smoke rises vertically
Smoke drift indicates wind
direction, still wind vanes
Wind felt on face, leaves
rustle, vanes begin to move
Leaves and small twigs
constantly moving, light flags
extended
Dust, leaves, and loose paper
lifted, small tree branches
move
Small trees in leaf begin to
sway
Larger tree branches moving,
whistling in wires
Whole trees moving,
resistance felt walking against
wind
Twigs breaking off trees,
generally impedes progress
Slight structural damage
occurs, slate blows off roofs
Seldom experienced on land,
trees broken or uprooted,
"considerable structural
damage"
Widespread structural
damage
Massive and widespread
damage
3rd Grade PSI
Weather & Climate