Meteorology_lab_report

Meteorology Lab Report

Introduction

Meteorologists draw conclusions based on all known weather data. Since weather data is constantly changing, their forecast can change from day to day or from hour to hour. Now, it is your turn to predict the weather. In this lab activity, you will analyze data collected from a weather station to create a weather forecast.

Problem:

How can we use the relationships among weather data to produce a forecast?

Hypothesis/Prediction:

Based on the weather data in Table 1 below, make a prediction about the weather from the data by completing the sentences below.. Make sure your prediction is made before you create graphs of your weather data.

1. If temperature _____________ increases/decreases, then the dew point will _____________increase/decrease.

2. If temperature ______________ increases/decreases, then air pressure will _____________ increase/decrease.

Variables:

For this investigation:

List the independent variable(s):

List the dependent variable(s):

List the controlled variable(s):

Materials:

● Weather data in Table 1 ● Weather Maps Symbols Key (see lesson) ● Graphing software or application ● Graphing tutorial (optional)

 

 

Procedures:

1. Using the Weather Data from Table 1, construct a line graph using Time on the X axis and Temperature for 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.

2. Using the Weather Data from Table 1, construct a second line graph using Time on the X axis and Air Pressure for the Y axis. Be sure to include units and add titles to the graphs.

3. Select two different 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.

4. Complete the Questions and Conclusion section of the lab report.

Graph 1

1. You may plot the data by hand on the template below or follow the steps below to create your graph.

2. Double click on the graph, then select the tab labeled “sheet 1”. 3. Input the data from Table 1 in the corresponding columns on the spreadsheet. 4. Once you have input all corresponding data, select the tab labeled “Chart” at the

bottom of the table to display your line graphs.

 

 

Graph 2

1. You may plot the data by hand on the template below or follow the steps below to create your graph.

2. Double click on the graph, then select the tab labeled “sheet 1”. 3. Input the data from Table 1 in the corresponding columns on the spreadsheet. 4. Once you have input all corresponding data, select the tab labeled “Chart” at the

bottom of the table to display your line graphs.

Data and Observations:

Table 1: Weather Data from Station 1, Cape Canaveral, Florida

 

 

Time of Day

Temperature (F°)

Air Pressure (sea level, mb)

Relative Humidity

Cloud Cover (sky condition)

Wind Speed and Direction (wind, mph)

Dew Point (F°)

12:00 am  76 1013.3  97%  A few clouds  Calm  75

1:00 am  75 1013.0 100% A few clouds S 3 75

2:00 am  75 1012.8 100% A few clouds Calm 75

3:00 am  74 1012.5 100% Fair Calm 74

4:00 am  74 1012.3 100% A few clouds Calm 74

5:00 am  73 1012.5 100% Fair Calm 73

6:00 am  73 1013.0 100% Shallow Fog Calm 73

7:00 am  76 1013.4 100% A few clouds Calm 76

8:00 am  79  1013.6  90% A few clouds  NW5  76

9:00 am  82  1013.9  79% A few clouds  NW3  75

10:00 am  85  1014.1  68% Partly Cloudy  Calm  73

11:00 am  85  1014.2  70% Mostly Cloudy

E6  74

12:00 pm  87  1013.7  65% Mostly Cloudy

NE9 74

1:00 pm  87 1013.1 65% Partly Cloudy E9 74

2:00 pm  87  1012.5 65% Mostly Cloudy

E12 74

3:00 pm  87  1011.8  67% Mostly Cloudy

E12; G17 75

4:00 pm   86 1011.3 70% Partly Cloudy  Variable 7 75

5:00 pm  85 1011.5 72% Partly Cloudy SE7 75

6:00 pm 82 1011.7 77% Mostly Cloudy

E5 74

 

 

7:00 pm 81 1012.1 82% Mostly Cloudy

SE3 75

8:00 pm 79 1012.9 88% Mostly Cloudy

SW6 75

9:00 pm 78  1013.8 90%  Overcast SW3 75

10:00 pm  77 1014.4 94% Overcast SW7 75

11:00 pm  76 1014.3 100% Overcast Calm 75

Select two different times (one day and one night) from Table 1 and create a weather station model for each. Use the Weather Map Symbols Key from the lesson to guide your weather station models. An example is shown below. Place your weather station models under the data for each time.

DAY: _______ (Time)

1. Temperature: ____76___

2. Dew Point: __50____

3. Air Pressure: _______ mb

4. Wind Direction—Choose One: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, NW W

5. Wind Speed: _______

6. Cloud Cover—Choose One: CLR 0%, FEW 25%, SCT 50%, BKN 75%, OVC 100%

 

 

Place Weather Station Model here.

NIGHT: _______ (Time)

1. Temperature: _______

2. Dew Point: ______

3. Air Pressure: _____mb

4. Wind Direction—Choose One: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, NW W

5. Wind Speed: _______

6. Cloud Cover—Choose One: CLR 0%, FEW 25%, SCT 50%, BKN 75%, OVC 100%

Place Weather Station Model here.

Questions and Conclusion

1. Write a summary of the weather that occurred during the 24 hours in Table 1.

2. What are the possible sources of error in the weather data?

3. Based on your graphs, what relationships do you notice between temperature, dew point, humidity, cloud cover, and air pressure? Provide evidence of your conclusion.

4. In conclusion, how did your graphs support or contradict your 12-hour forecast for the following day?

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?