measuring_weather_lab_report

Measuring Weather Lab Report Download and use this template for your answers. Introduction: Meteorologists draw conclusions based on all known weather data. Since weather data constantly changes, their forecast can change daily or from hour to hour. Now, it is your turn to predict the weather. In this lab activity, you will collect and analyze data from a weather station to create a weather forecast. You will be required to collect hourly weather data for one day. Once you have collected 24 hours’ worth of weather data, you will create surface weather station models of the data. Then, you will graph some weather data to conclude the relationships between the data. Problem :  How can we use the relationships among weather data to produce a forecast? Materials and Procedures : 1. Use a weather-based site such as the  National Weather Service site  to choose a location for your hourly observations. If unable to obtain the information needed, you may use any additional weather sites. Once at the site, type your city, state, or zip code in the local forecast box under the "Home" heading and click "Go." Once the page loads, you will see the current weather conditions. Locate the link under "more information" for the three-day history and click on it. This will provide the information you need to complete your data chart below. 2. Using the weather data from Table 1 , construct a line graph using time on the x-axis and temperature on the y-axis. Make sure to plot both the temperature and dew point on your graph. Be sure to include units and add titles to the graphs. Refer to the graph example and graphing tutorial in the lesson if needed. 3. Using the weather data from Table 1 , construct a second line graph using time on the x- axis and air pressure on the y-axis. Be sure to include units and add titles to the graphs. 4. Select two times (one day and one night) from Table 1 and create a weather station model for each. Use the example diagram in the data sections and the Weather Map Symbol Key in the lesson to guide your weather station models. 5. Complete the Questions and Conclusion section of the lab report. Hypothesis : Using the relationships from weather data , write a hypothesis about how the weather may be forecasted. Remember, this is an educated guess. Make sure it is reasonable and done before you plot the weather station models and create your graphs. Using these data relationships, type a hypothesis, using an IF/THEN statement on how the weather may be forecasted. Example: IF it is snowing, THEN the temperature must be at or below freezing. Data and Observations : Part I: Record all 24-hour weather data for your location. Fill in all data below using the National Weather Service site data. Be sure to include the date and location of your data.

Table 1 Time of Day Temperatur e ( o F) Air Pressure (sea level, mb) Relative Humidity Cloud Cover (sky condition) Wind Speed and Direction (wind, mph) Dew Point (°F)  12:00 am 52  1:00 am 52  2:00 am 52  3:00 am 52  4:00 am 52  5:00 am 51  6:00 am 52  7:00 am 52  8:00 am 53  9:00 am 54  10:00 am 56  11:00 am 59  12:00 pm 62  1:00 pm 66  2:00 pm 68  3:00 pm 69 4:00 pm  72  5:00 pm 68  6:00 pm 65  7:00 pm 64  8:00 pm 62  9:00 pm 60  10:00 pm 58  11:00 pm 55 Part II: Use the diagram below to record your surface weather data collected for day and night . DAY: _______ (Time) 1. Temperature:_______ 2. Dew point:______ 3. Air pressure: _____mb 4. Wind direction—choose one: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, NW W

2. What are the possible sources of error in the weather data? 3. What relationships do you notice between temperature, dew point, humidity, cloud cover, and air pressure? Provide evidence for these relationships from the data in Table 1 . 4. How did your graphs support or contradict your hypothesis? 5. Describe additional data you could collect to make your forecast more reliable. 6. What did you learn about weather forecasting by completing the activity?