Cloud Estimation

Name______

Period- 8a

Background Information

It is difficult to estimate cloud cover, we tend to underestimate the open spaces in between objects as compared to the space occupied by the objects themselves. This happens for a variety of reasons some include: the amount of space in between the objects, the size of the objects and the also the shape of them.

Purpose

Students will be able to have a better understanding of how to estimate percentage of cloud cover as well as take more accurate cloud cover observations.

Materials

1 piece of white paper

1 piece of blue paper

Glue stick

Procedure

1.  Fold your white piece of paper into ten equal sections Each section represents 10%

2.  Chose what percentage of cloud cover you want to represent on the blue background. And write this on the back of the blue paper so no one else knows what you chose. A few rules>

  1. Can only chose increments of 10
  2. When you cut up sections the pieces can’t overlap each other
  3. None of the white pieces can hang over the edge

3.  After you are done with your representation of cloud cover leave it on your desk with your name on the front of it and walk around to and fill in the charts using the following information. (See Next Page)

Percentage (%) / If less than / If greater or equal to
10 / Clear / Isolated
25 / Isolated / Scattered
50 / Scattered / Broken
90 / Broken / Overcast

Fill in this chart as you walk around

Name / Estimated Percent / Classification / Right / Wrong
Andrew
Michael
Yesenia
Brandi
Vicky
Tiffany
Danielle
Matt
Sierra
Sarah
Jason
Tom
Erin

We will do this together

Name / Actual % / Underestimates / Correct Estimates / Overestimates
Andrew
Michael
Yesenia
Brandi
Vicky
Tiffany
Danielle
Matt
Sierra
Sarah
Jason
Tom
Erin
Name / Actual Classification / Too Little / Correct Classification / Too Mush
Andrew
Michael
Yesenia
Brandi
Vicky
Tiffany
Danielle
Matt
Sierra
Sarah
Jason
Tom
Erin

Conclusion Questions

1.  Looking at the estimation section when did the greatest errors occur? When the percentage was high or low?

2.  Did you have a tendency to overestimate or underestimate cloud cover? Why do you think this is the case?

3.  What factors influenced the accuracy of your results?

4.  Where else might this spatial estimation be useful in your everyday life?

5.  Which cloud classifications were easiest to identify and which were the most difficult?

6. What strategies did you use to help you identify the cloud classification?