Measuring Weather: Air Pressure, Precipitation, and Temperature (Adapted from Operation: Monster Storms, The Jason Project)

Materials: WeatherBug Weather Station data Internet research

PART 1: DUE NOVEMBER 13(A), 12(B) = 50 points

Lab Prep Questions (10 points each) – ANSWER IN “HONORS FASHION” – must be TYPED.

1.  If the barometric pressure drops, how would you expect the weather to change? Why?

2.  If the barometric pressure rises, how would you expect the weather to change? Why?

3.  Could barometric pressure data alone be used to predict the weather? Why or why not?

4.  Could the wind direction data be used to forecast the weather? Could the wind speed data or temperature data be used without the other data to forecast the weather? Explain why each piece of data can or cannot be used to forecast weather on its own.

5.  Why do you need all of the data to establish the current and future weather?

PART 2: DUE NOVEMBER 19(A), 18(B) = 60 points

Lab Observation Questions

1.  Record atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature, and rainfall data for a period of 5 classes. Already completed for you on the back of this sheet and on the webpage.

2.  What can you tell about the weather during this time period? Is it changing? How? (10 points)

3.  Construct FOUR graphs for the following data sets: Temperature vs. Date; Wind Speed vs. Date; Relative Humidity vs. Date; and Barometric Pressure vs. Date. Plot each set of data versus time. Indicate wind direction for each data point on the wind speed graph (you may draw these on the graph). Analyze the graphs and explain any patterns/trends you see. (50 points)

PART 3: DUE NOVEMBER 21(A), 22(B) = 30 points

Weather Prediction

4.  Make weather predictions for THREE days (between November 7 and no later than November 17). When making your predictions use DATA. Do not say it will be sunny. Put this in a table using the format you were given in question #1 above. A data table is all that is needed for this question. (5 points)

5.  After you make your prediction, record the data in a new data table for the days you chose. Use any Weatherbug station in Ashburn but be sure to record which location you used. Hint – to get the pressure in millibars (mb) switch to °C. A data table is all that is needed for this question. (5 points)

6.  Compare your predictions with the weather that actually occurs. What data/measurements proved to be the most informative about upcoming weather? Are there any relationships between the measurements that were taken? Explain WHY you think relationships do or do not exist. (20 points)