Weather forecasting
Weather can have a huge affect on people’s lives and
all sorts of people rely on weather forecasts. But how
do forecasters know what will happen in the future?
EPISODE 1
Focus Questions
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What was the main point of the story?
What is a meteorologist?
What aspects of the weather do meteorologists study?
What does a barometer measure?
How does the Bureau of Meteorology collect information to forecast weather?
Describe how weather forecasting has changed over the years.
What role do computers play in forecasting weather today?
How accurate do the weather forecasters think they are?
Give examples of how people rely on weather forecasts.
What do you now know about weather forecasting that you didn’t know before
watching the BtN story?
You choose
Students will deepen their understanding of weather forecasting and climate change
by completing some of the following activities. Negotiate with students how many
activities they will need to complete.
Remember and understand

Research and create a timeline showing how weather forecasting has
changed over the years.

Create a ten question and answer quiz about weather forecasting facts.

Write an A-Z list of words about weather.
Apply and Analyse

What is the role of a meteorologist? What are the different parts to the job
of a meteorologist and what skills do they need to have. Present your
information in a creative way to the class or another student.

Define the term `climate’. Research some causes of climate change and the
potential impact on Australia.
© ABC 2009
17TH FEBRUARY 2009
Learning Area
Science
Key learning
Students will deepen
their understanding
of weather
forecasting and
climate change.

Research the El Nino or Greenhouse effect and its potential impact on
Australia. Present your information on a poster or brochure.
Evaluate and create

Go to the following website http://www.elliotswebsite.com/cws/eec1.php
created by Victorian student Elliot Levin. As a class, monitor weather
conditions in your local area. Consider what equipment will be needed and
how you will present the data.

Create a game that teaches students about weather forecasting. Keep the
game in the school library for all students to access.
Further investigations
Organise a visit to the Bureau of Meteorology to see first-hand how weather forecasting
works.
 Related Research Links
ABC Rural – Long range forecasting
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2006/s1657300.htm
Bureau of Meteorology – Forecasting the weather
http://www.bom.gov.au/info/ftweather/
CSIRO – Climate and forecasting
http://www.csiro.au/science/pps9c.html
Eliot Levin’s weather monitoring website
http://www.elliotswebsite.com/cws/eec1.php
© ABC 2009