Measuring Weather PDF

Measuring the Weather Weather – is the state/condition of the atmosphere of a place over a short period of time which changes constantly and dramatically. So what’s the weather today? Try to describe the weather today. What is Toronto’s weather? It's very cold and windy in Toronto today, an...

Measuring the Weather Weather – is the state/condition of the atmosphere of a place over a short period of time which changes constantly and dramatically. So what’s the weather today? Try to describe the weather today. What is Toronto’s weather? It's very cold and windy in Toronto today, and it will precipitate on Wednesday. What is the weather in Sydney? It's very hot in Sydney this week, sometimes windy, and it won't precipitate in the next coming week. We can say that today is sunny, windy, cold, hot, or rainy, but to fully describe the weather, we must measure it. Measuring the Weather What gets measured? Weather Elements 7 Main Weather Elements: 1) Temperature 2) Precipitation 3) Humidity 4) Air Pressure 5) Wind Speed 6) Wind Direction 7) Cloud Cover 1. Temperature What it measures: How hot or cold a place is Unit: degrees Celsius (°C) OR degrees Fahrenheit (°F) Instrument used: Thermometer Thermometer 2. Precipitation What it measures: The amount of moisture that has fallen from the sky to the Earth’s surface (rain, snow, hail, sleet) Unit: millimetres (mm) OR centimetres (cm) Instrument used: Rain gauge How It Is Measured Rain gauge Measures the depth of liquid in the rain gauge usually per hour. 3. Air pressure What it measures: The weight of air on the Earth surface that creates a pressing down force. Unit: millibars (mb), commonly ranges from 970 mb to 1040 mb hectopascal (hPa) ranges from 970 hPa to 1040 hPa Instrument used: Barometer How It Is Measured Change to higher air pressure means cold air sinking (good weather forecast). Barometer Change to lower air pressure means warm air rising (bad weather forecast). 4. Humidity What it measures: the amount of water vapour in the air/atmosphere. Unit: percentage (%) Instrument used: Hygrometer How It Is Measured Saturated air: There is a limit to the amount of moisture that the air can hold. When limit is reached, the air is said to be saturated. �Air is dry Humidity < 50% - 60% Hygrometer �Air is Saturated Humidity = 100% Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air at a given temperature. 5. Wind direction What it measures: The direction that the wind is coming from Unit: compass directions (North, East, West, South, Northeast, Southeast, etc.) Instrument used: Wind vane, or a Wind sock In this wind vane, the wind blows from the SW (southwest). Wind Vane 6. Wind Speed What it measures: How fast the wind is blowing Unit: miles per hour (mph) or kilometres per hour (kph) Instrument used: Anemometer Its little cups is turned by the wind, and a dial attached to it measures the speed. Anemometer 7. Cloud Cover What it measures: How much of the sky is covered by clouds from a particular location Unit: Oktas - Scale ranges from 0 (clear sky) to 8 (sky completely covered by clouds) Instrument used: Eyes We only need to look at the sky, divide it mentally by 8, then estimate how many imaginary boxes can be filled by the amount of clouds at a particular location. Thermometer Measurement with the Stevenson Screen Stevenson Screen White box with air hole 1.5 Metres Thermometer inside How to Install Stevenson Screen - A white louvered box used to protect the temperature sensors from being influenced by direct or reflected sunlight How to Install Thermometer must be placed inside a shade to avoid direct sunlight that can result in an inaccurate high temperature. How to Install - It is painted white so that it reflects the direct heat of the sun. How to Install The thermometer must be placed 1.2 metres to 1.5 metres above ground to avoid picking up excess heat that can result to higher temperature reading. How to Install The box door opens from the top and not the sides to avoid strong winds swinging the door open during windy days. How to Install In the Northern Hemisphere, the door of the box must face north so that when opening, it keeps the sun from shining directly on the thermometers which could affect its reading. How to Install How to Install Stevenson Screen - The angled louvers prevent rain from entering the shelter, while maintaining good ventilation (flow of air). How to Install Stevenson Screen - Air flows freely to prevent built-up of heat from direct sunlight that can affect relative humidity readings. It provides some protection from wind which can increase evaporation, may affect humidity measurements. How to Install Stevenson Screen - The design helps maintain a consistent temperature and humidity environment around the instruments. How to Install How to Install Stevenson Screen - Provides protection against the direct impact of wind which can exert pressure on the barometer, causing fluctuations in pressure readings; minimising its influence on the barometric pressure measurements.. How to Install Stevenson Screen - The roof also protects the barometer from moisture from rain which could affect accuracy of measurement, especially if they enter the barometer’s mechanisms. How to Install Stevenson Screen - The screen also provides shade and ventilation to the barometer, thus helping maintain a stable temperature inside the screen to help prevent temperature-induced pressure changes that can affect the reading. So who measures the weather in Macau? The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) is a department of the Macau Government that measures the weather. Functions: 1) Pays close attention to the changes of weather 2) Issues weather forecast to public so people can better plan their activities 3) To hoist warning signals if weather condition is going to get worst to allow more time for people to prepare for the dangerous weather conditions Additional Factor Affecting Weather Particulate Matter (PM10) �These are very small particles that pollute the air causing poor air quality. �They have a diameter of 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) or smaller. � High presence of PM10 indicates more air pollutants that contribute to global warming, thus also affecting weather. How PM10 is Measured Optical Particle Counter Using a laser and optical sensor, this handheld device measures light scattered from particles passing through the laser beam. This then transforms scattered light into electrical signals which are processed to provide mass measurements of air particles like PM10. Where Weather Stations are Located Weather station on ships. Weather stations on higher altitudes (hills). Weather stations on major roads and bridges. Weather stations on coastal locations. Weather stations on airport. Weather stations on residential and commercial areas. Automatic Weather Station (AWS) in Schools Benefits of Weather Stations in School 1. Encourages student engagement to foster a deeper understanding of the science of weather. 2. Helps students apply weather concepts in a real-world context. 3. Monitoring weather elements promote environmental awareness and preparedness for various weather conditions. Parts of the Weather Station Outdoor The outdoor part consists of the sensors that measure the temperature, air pressure, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. Parts of the Weather Station Inside The console is inside the school and shows the measurements received from the sensors placed outside. Can you still remember the instruments used to measure the following? 1. Air pressure Barometer 2. Wind speed Anemometer 3. Precipitation Rain gauge 4. Wind Direction Wind vane 5. Temperature Thermometer 6. Humidity Hygrometer Where to Place Weather Station in School 1. Recommended location is mounting the AWS on the side of a wall or poking above a roof. It can also be placed on fenced ground, but it must be away from any factors that can affect weather measurements, such as tall trees. 2. The outdoor sensor must be close to the receiver console (50m to 300m) for good reception of signal. Source: https://www.metlink.org/fieldwork-resource/a-weather-station-for-your-school/ Where to Place Weather Station in School VIDEO: How to Install the Weather Station https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms0mSS1zbFM Homework Submit Worksheet #1 on Measuring Weather on 12th October, 2023 Project Building Weather Station Using Micro:bit Project What is a Micro:bit? A micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces kids and teens to how software and hardware work together. It is an interactive and programmable device that consists of various input-output features such as LED light displays, sensors, buttons, etc. Project For this project, discover how to use the sensor feature of the micro:bit together with some coding to build a weather station that would measure temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. Project Coding the micro:bit requires learning to code using the MakeCode software, which the D.A.T will be responsible in teaching. Project VIDEO: Measuring Wind Speed and Precipitation using Micro:bit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Jw-Eps_Hs Project Micro:bit with Stevenson Screen to Measure Temperature Project What is 3D Printing? 3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. Project Using a 3D printing machine, design and create a Stevenson Screen like one of these. Project Then place inside the Stevenson screen the micro:bit that’s been coded to measure temperature. Project Check how your weather station is working. Data can be tracked in real-time using Micro:bit’s software.