Quarter 1 Weather Journal
Purpose: The main purpose of this project is to help you sharpen your skills of observation,
organization and your ability to analyze data. You will also learn about; research, math, time
management... lots of good stuff!!!!
Introduction: The Weather Journal is a semester long project that is broken down into 2 quarters. You
will be collecting weather data, graphing and analyzing it. Second quarter the rules change slightly. You
will receive instructions at the beginning of second quarter to explain what will change.
What you need: It is preferred to have a “memory stick” for this project. If you can not get one then
you MUST have a separate Weather Journal notebook and Science class notebook. A three ring binder
also works quite well as a substitute for a “memory stick” or the second notebook. See me if you need help
in getting these supplies.
Entries: There are 4 categories that you will need to complete. Each is worth 25 points.
Category #1 (25 pts) For each day you collect the data below you will earn 0.5 pts. You need to
complete this for 28 days (=14pts), 14 days in September, and 14 days in October. The remaining 11
points is for proper labels.
Data: Date/time
Temp. in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit, high and low (4 data sets)
Cloud cover (use cloud types learned: clear, partly cloudy, mostly cloudy, cloudy)
Precipitation = separate rain/snow columns (2 data sets)
# of minutes of daylight (9 hours 32 minutes= 9x60=540+32=572 minutes)
Wind speed and direction (2 data sets)
Barometric pressure in inches Mercury
Humidity (%)
Dew point (C & F) (2 data sets)
Where you found your information (list once)
Category #2 (25 points) You should find AVERAGES for each month separately for ALL the info above
(14 data sets). Include cloud cover types and wind direction. Precipitation (snow and rain) is the ONLY
data you will TOTAL instead of average. This data MUST be in a SEPARATE data sheet from the
category #1 data! (See other side for an example)
Category #3 (25 points) Graph your AVERAGED DATA for each month. Graph ALL the averaged data!
(Including cloud types) (See other side for an example of a properly labeled graph)
Category #4 (25 points)
Write a one page paper analyzing your data. Look for trends between each category. Look for a
correlation (relationship) between; wind direction and temp, barometric pressure and precipitation, dew
point and low temp... These are just a few examples. Look at ALL the different combinations looking for a
relationship. For example, when the temperature increases what else increases? What decreases? How
does wind direction affect temperature? If the dew point increases, what else increases?
Extra credit can be earned by creating data tables and graphs for moon rise/set, % illumination, and moon
phase. (A maximum of 15 pts will be awarded)
I have high expectations for the quality of your work. DO NOT lose this paper! It, along with our class
discussion will guide you through this learning experience! It is due
A parent/guardian signature is required.
9 points will be awarded if returned on or before Thursday, Sept ________.
Student name (please print first & last name)
Student signature
Date _______
Parent (guardian) signature
Date _______
Sample averages:
Date
sept
oct
nov
dec
feb
temp *C high
16.8
10
13
11
4
temp *C
low
temp *F
low
20
20
13
11
5
20
45
15
2
1
temp *F high
24
67
23
3
0
humidity %
56
45
34
12
4
Sample graph:
Average humidity
60
50
%
40
30
humidity
20
10
0
sept
oct
nov
Time (months)
dec