To use real time data as a tool in predicting weather.
Materials Graph paper
Pencil
Real time data from local airports: Newark, Caldwell and Teterboro
airports.
Metric ruler
Calculator
Internet connected computer
Background Information
This interactive lesson allows students to explore basic questions of
meteorology such as why the changes in wind speed, air pressure, and relative
humidity affect the weather.
Objective
Demonstrate an understanding of temperature changes, atmospheric pressure
and weather conditions.
Observe the relationship between atmospheric pressure and weather conditions.
Use meteorological data to construct and interpret bar graphs and line
graphs.
Determine the relationship between weather factors and draw conclusions.
Procedure
Retrieve real time data from the weather stations located in Newark(EWR),
Caldwell
(CDL), and Teterboro(TEB).
Analyze the text-formatted data by creating graphs.
Determine if there is a correlation between temperature and atmospheric
pressure.
Formulate a hypothesis to determine which instrument is the most accurate
in predicting a change in weather.
Transfer the real time data over a 24-hour period to line graphs using
concepts of data analysis in mathematics.
1. Plot the temperature, humidity and weather conditions
2. Plot atmospheric pressure, humidity and weather conditions
3. Plot temperature and dew point.
4. Plot air pressure and weather conditions.
Questions
What has the temperature done over the last twenty-four hours?
What has the pressure done over the last twenty-four hours?
What has the wind speed done over the last twenty-four hours?
After plotting the data, can you make any conclusions about a steady barometer
reading, a rising barometer, a falling barometer?
What happens to the weather conditions as humidity increases?
If the moisture content of the air remains the same what happens to the
relative humidity as the temperature goes down?
Did you see the relationship between your air pressure measurements and
the weather conditions?
Can a barometer help you to predict the weather? Explain.
If one cubic meter of air at 25oC can hold
15 grams of water vapor but it's holding 5 grams, what is its relative
humidity?
Two rooms have the same amount of water vapor, one room, though, is cooler
than the other, which room has the greater relative humidity? Explain.
Is it possible for both the temperature and the amount of vapor in the
air to change while the relative humidity remains the same? Why or why
not?
Based on your observations, predict the weather for the next 24 hours.
Explain your answer.
