© Boardworks Ltd 20081 of 27

Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page.Flash activity. These activities are not editable.

Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

Accompanying worksheet. Printable activity. Useful web links.

Measuring the WeatherWeather

© Boardworks Ltd 20082 of 27

Contents

Gauging rainfall and classifying clouds

Measuring wind and assessing air pressure

Quantifying sunlight and taking temperatures

Weather stations

Summary activities

The key concepts covered are:Space and Physical and human processes.

© Boardworks Ltd 20083 of 27

Classifying clouds and gauging rainfall

Learn how clouds are classified.

Learn how rainfall is measured.

See how a simple rain gauge can be made.

By the end of this section, you will:

Classifying clouds and gauging rainfall

© Boardworks Ltd 20084 of 27

How are clouds classified?

Clouds form when moist air rises and condenses into water or ice crystals. This takes between a few minutes and an hour.

Cloud formation

Clouds are classified using three criteria:

if they bring precipitation.

shape

altitude

© Boardworks Ltd 20085 of 27

Classifying clouds

© Boardworks Ltd 20086 of 27

Clouds are named according to their height, shape and whether

they bring precipitation.

nimbus stratus

Heaped fluffy cloud

Brings rain

Mid-level cloud

Layered cloud

CumuloAlto

Cloud types

© Boardworks Ltd 20087 of 27

Types of cloud

© Boardworks Ltd 20088 of 27

Rainfall is measured using a rain gauge.

Rainfall

Rain is a type of precipitation.

Precipitation occurs when water vapour in the air cools and condenses into water droplets.

Snow, sleet, hail, dew and fog are also types of precipitation.

Rainfall is usually measured in millimetres (mm).

How is rainfall measured?

© Boardworks Ltd 20089 of 27

Make your own rain gauge

© Boardworks Ltd 200810 of 27

Measuring wind and assessing air pressure

Learn how both wind speed and wind direction can be measured.

Use the Beaufort scale to estimate wind speed.

Learn that a barometer is used to measure air pressure.

By the end of this section, you will:

Measuring wind and assessing air pressure

© Boardworks Ltd 200811 of 27

Wind speed is measured using an anemometer.

Wind speed is a measure of how fast the air is moving.

Wind speed

Wind is simply moving air.

An anemometer has metal cups that rotate in the wind. The stronger the wind, the faster the cups turn.

How is wind speed measured?

© Boardworks Ltd 200812 of 27

It uses a scale from 0 to 12.

The Beaufort scale measures wind intensity using the effects of wind to estimate its speed.

Beaufort scale

0 on the scale means there is no wind.

How is wind speed estimated without an anemometer?

12 indicates hurricane conditions.

© Boardworks Ltd 200813 of 27

Wind direction can be found using a wind vane. The arrow or pointer turns to point into the wind.

Wind direction

This wind vane is pointing South, so a Southerly wind is blowing.

Can you spot a wind vane in

your local area?

© Boardworks Ltd 200814 of 27

Air pressure is the force exerted on the Earth by the air above.

How is air pressure measured?

Air pressure is measured using a barometer.

Air pressure

To see air pressure fall, take your barometer with you as you walk up a hill.

Air pressure changes with height.

© Boardworks Ltd 200815 of 27

Quantifying sunlight and taking temperatures

Learn how sunlight can be measured.

Learn how thermometers work and practise taking thermometer readings.

By the end of this section, you will:

Quantifying sunlight and taking temperatures

© Boardworks Ltd 200816 of 27

Sunlight is the amount of daylight.

The duration and the intensity of sunlight is measured using a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder.

Sunlight

The recorder focuses light from the sun onto a piece of card where it leaves a burnt trace. The longer the sun shines, the longer the line.

How is sunlight measured?

© Boardworks Ltd 200817 of 27

The units of temperature are degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

Temperature is a measure of how warm or cool it is.

Temperature

Most thermometers are made so liquid (mercury or spirit) in the bulb at the bottom expands as it gets warm and rises up a tube.

Temperatures are measured in the shade, so the sun’s rays do not heat up the instrument being used.

Temperature is measured using a thermometer.

How is temperature measured?

© Boardworks Ltd 200818 of 27

Taking temperature readings

© Boardworks Ltd 200819 of 27

Weather stations

Learn about UK and world record weather conditions.

Practise recording data from a weather station.

Learn about the value of sensors and data loggers in recording weather data.

By the end of this section, you will:

Weather stations

© Boardworks Ltd 200820 of 27

The lowest temperature in the UK:-27 °C was recorded at Braemar in the Grampians, on January 10th 1982.

UK and world weather records

The most rain in 24 hours worldwide:1825 mm fell in La Reunion in the Indian Ocean, between 7th and 8th January 1966.

The strongest wind worldwide:Gusts of up to 372 km/h were measured at Mount Washington, USA on 12th April 1934.

The highest temperature in the UK: 38.5 °C was recorded at Brogdale in Kent, on August 10th 2003.

© Boardworks Ltd 200821 of 27

Weather station instruments

© Boardworks Ltd 200822 of 27

Virtual weather station

© Boardworks Ltd 200823 of 27

Electronic weather stations and data logging

Most weather conditions can be measured using sensors as well as traditional weather instruments.

Sensors detect weather conditions and produce electronic information that is recorded by a data logger.

Automated weather stations can therefore measure, record and transmit weather data without a human inspecting the instruments.

Electronic weather stations are very useful as they can be located in hard to reach places.

© Boardworks Ltd 200824 of 27

Summary activities

Be confident in your knowledge of measuring the weather.

Know how to use and spell important terminology relating to measuring the weather.

By the end of this section, you will:

Summary activities

© Boardworks Ltd 200825 of 27

Summary quiz

© Boardworks Ltd 200826 of 27

Glossary

© Boardworks Ltd 200827 of 27

Anagrams