Upper Air Weather Data Exercise
Introduction: Weather stations around the globe often send
instruments into the troposphere to gather information about
weather variables and weather patterns that might exist at a
particular region (ie: cloud height formation, changes in wind speed,
etc…)
Directions: Complete the following exercise according to the
directions listed below:
1. Open the “Upper Air Weather Data Exercise Spreadsheet” on my
webpage.
2. Click the link on top of the spreadsheet or type the link
presented below:
http://weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/sounding.html
3. On the “Atmospheric Soundings” Map change the date range to
Dec. 2014.
4. Move your cursor over the map and double click onto Albany
(ALB).
5. Print the “Albany Observations” data chart. This data is an
account of readings collected in Albany, NY during the month of
Dec. 2014. Data collected includes: height in the atmosphere
where readings were taken, air temperature, air pressure, dew
point, and relative humidity.
6. Highlight the first 50 rows of data from the chart.
7. On the “Upper Air Weather Data Exercise Spreadsheet” click
the DATA TABLES AND GRAPHS tab. The data table and
graphs shown are sample data taken of --height HGHT(m), air
pressure PRES (hPa), and air temperature TEMP(˚C )--at a
sample location. The graphs to the right reflect this sample
data.
8. In the purple text box type ALBANY 12/14.
9. Delete all of the data (HGHT/PRES/TEMP) present in the data
table. Type the data from the “Albany Observations” data chart
into the data table on this spreadsheet. Be certain to record
only the first 50 highlighted rows from the print out. Record
only the appropriate data – HGHT, PRES and TEMP. It is
important that the correct data is placed in the correct column
of your spreadsheet.
As you enter data, the graph to the right on your spreadsheet
will begin to form. You will use this graph to answer questions
about your data.
10. Print out the spreadsheet when completed.
Be certain to JUST print out the first 2 pages of this spreadsheet. Go
to File – Print – Select From Page 1 to 2.
On the second page of your print out answer the following question;
“What patterns exist between air pressure, air temperature and
elevation? Do your Reference Tables support the data you collected?
Explain!” (at least 50-100 words)