Hands-on Activity Weather Forecasting:
How Predictable!

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

• Learn how to prepare a weather report based on real-life weather forecasts.
• Apply skills in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and explanation to their writing and speaking.
• Write and speak in the content areas using the technical vocabulary of the subject accurately.
• Use reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing skills to solve problems and answer questions.

Educational Standards

Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.

All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).

In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.

NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards - Science

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology

State Standards

Materials List

Paper and pencils

Worksheets and Attachments

Introduction/Motivation

Everybody loves the occasional "snow day." But, can you trust the local weather service to deliver a nice blizzard on cue? Even though weather reporters would like to take credit for good weather and avoid blame for the not-so-good, all they can really do is try to report the weather as accurately as possible. Fortunately, they have advanced technology working for them, such as Doppler radar, satellite imagery and weather forecasting software programs.

With the advent of satellite imaging, Doppler radar and sophisticated weather modeling software, weather forecasting is becoming increasingly accurate. Jokes about the unpredictable nature of weather are still common — "If you don't like the weather around here, wait five minutes!" — but the local meteorologist is not quite as likely to take the blame. If it rains on your parade or picnic, that's probably because you didn't watch the latest weathercast.

In this activity, you are going to take a closer look at how the weather report is delivered in your area. You will keep a record to see how accurate the weather report is. At the same time, you will observe how the report is presented so you can produce a weather show for your class. In the process, you will become better acquainted with weather terminology and learn how the latest weather forecasting technology works.

Procedure

Background

During this activity, students gauge the accuracy of local weather reports for themselves, and at the same time observe the local weather presenter. The goal is to present their own weather report for the class. In the process, students become more familiar with weather terminology (see the Word Origins & Metaphors: Take Their Word for It! literacy activity), learn about how weather forecasting technology works, and develop presentation skills.

If possible, videotape one or more evening weathercasts (4-6PM) and view in class, discussing how the weather is presented. Help the students identify the segments of the broadcast, noting the use of maps and symbols (see Figure 1). Discuss the meaning of weather symbols and basic terminology used by the meteorologist. Critique the style of presentation. The objective is to prepare the students to produce their own weathercast.

Consider taking the students on a field trip to a local television station to see for themselves how a weather report is produced, and meet local weather personalities they have seen on TV.

Observing

Background research: Watch the evening weather report (4-6PM time slot) on your favorite local news channel for one week. Using the Weather Watcher Worksheet, record the forecast for the following day, noting the basic weather forecast description: High and low temperatures, sunny/cloudy, rainy/snowy/windy, chance for precipitation, etc. At the same time, take some notes about the presentation itself. Observe the weather reporter's presentation style. Notice how s/he uses maps and explains weather phenomena for the viewer. Learn the tricks of the trade! The following day, observe the weather and record the actual weather conditions. Was the forecast accurate?

Thinking

Weather reporters love to brag about their Doppler – or Super Doppler or NEXRAD – radar systems. Have you ever wondered what all the hype is about? Learn how the latest tools work: radar, satellite imaging and weather forecasting software (see the References section or search for weather forecasting technology on the Internet).

Writing

Imagine you are presenting the television weather report for the evening news (4-6PM). Prepare your script. Your report should include:

• Today's weather — local, state, national weather maps
• Record high and low temperatures
• Outlook for the evening
• Air quality report including pollution alerts and burning restrictions
• Tomorrow's prediction
• Five-day forecast
• Some interesting weather trivia or an explanation of a weather phenomenon

Create weather maps to use for your report. Make three maps, if possible: one for the local report (city and counties), one for a statewide report and one for the national report (often a satellite image). Make reusable symbols for high and low fronts, as well as cloud, sun, rain, snow and lightning symbols. What other props will you use? An umbrella? Raincoat? Sunglasses? Videotape your presentation if possible.

For extra credit, have students incorporate a lay person-level explanation of Doppler effect or Doppler shift as part of their in-class weather program presentation.

Vocabulary/Definitions

accurate: Exactly factual; errorless.

doppler radar: Radar that uses the Doppler effect to measure velocity of approaching weather.

forecast: To estimate or calculate in advance, especially to predict (weather conditions) by analysis of meteorological data.

front: Meteorology. The interface between air masses of different temperatures or densities.

satellite imagery: Pictures taken by photographic equipment mounted on satellites.

weathercast: A broadcast of weather conditions.

Assessment

Pre-Activity Assessment

Check to make sure students have completed their Weather Watcher Worksheets, both forecasts and actual data.

Activity Embedded Assessment

After introducing students to weather technology, use call-out questions or a pop quiz to reinforce vocabulary and understanding.

Post-Activity Assessment

Depending on the number of students in the class, a different student can deliver the weather forecast each day for a month and be assessed for presentation skills. The shared props for a "Weather Corner" — items such as maps, weather symbols and other graphic images — can be designed and assembled by the class.

Activity Extensions

Play Vivaldi's Baroque masterpiece, The Four Seasons, for the class (see Figure 2). Discuss how the music reflects the qualities of the weather from season to season. Discuss the characteristics of Baroque music. Have students write down their impressions or create a poem, drawing or watercolor to illustrate a season (see Figure 3). Weather and seasonal change are a favorite theme of poets, composers and artists alike. See How Artists See the Weather: Sun, Wind, Snow, Rain by Colleen Carroll.

Activity Scaling

• Creating and presenting an in-class television weather program may be an individual or two-person activity.

References

Copyright

Contributors

Supporting Program

Acknowledgements

The contents of this digital library curriculum were developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the Department of Education or National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.