Part A
What is the difference between your town’s minimum and maximum temperatures yesterday? In your answer, list one explanation for why temperature changes during the day.
Response Example: Yesterday, the minimum temperature in my town was 45°F, and the maximum temperature was 75°F. The difference between these two temperatures is 30°F. One explanation for temperature changes during the day is the position of the sun. As the sun rises, it heats the earth's surface, causing the temperature to increase throughout the day until it peaks in the afternoon, after which it begins to cool as the sun sets.
Part B
What do you think the Departure from Normal column means, and why is it important for weather scientists in terms of temperature and precipitation? In your answer, explain what conclusions you can draw about your town from this column.
Response Example: The Departure from Normal column indicates how much the current weather conditions deviate from historical averages for that day. This is important for weather scientists because it helps them understand trends in climate, such as whether an area is experiencing unusually hot or cold temperatures or above/below average precipitation. For my town, if the Departure from Normal shows +5°F for temperature, it means that yesterday was 5°F warmer than the average for that date, suggesting a potential warming trend.
Part C
This chart describes wind intensity. Find the highest wind speed in your town yesterday in MPH. According to the chart, which level was it? (1 knot is nearly the same as 1 MPH.) Next, look outside and observe the wind. How would you classify the wind right now based on your observations? (Use the Appearance of Wind Effects column in the chart to help you.)
Response Example: The highest wind speed in my town yesterday was 20 MPH, which corresponds to the "Moderate Breeze" level. Observing outside now, the wind is blowing at a similar intensity; I would classify it as a "Gentle Breeze," as the leaves are slowly moving and there is a noticeable but comfortable air flow.
Part D
Go back to the National Weather Service website and click on a different town and state to get its weather conditions yesterday. How did the conditions compare to the conditions in your town?
Response Example: In the neighboring town of Springfield, the weather conditions yesterday were quite different from mine. While my town had a maximum temperature of 75°F, Springfield reached only 68°F. Additionally, while my town experienced clear skies, Springfield had overcast conditions and received 0.2 inches of rain. These differences highlight how localized weather can be even within short distances.
Part E
Why does the weather office have multiple weather stations in a single state within a close distance of each other?
Response Example: The weather office has multiple weather stations close to each other as different locations can have varying microclimates, influenced by factors like elevation, proximity to water bodies, and urban development. This leads to differences in temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Having multiple stations allows for more accurate and localized forecasting, improving overall weather predictions and public safety.
Self-Evaluation
How did you do? Rate your work on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest score. Then write a brief evaluation of your work below. Note what you learned and what challenged you.
Response Example: I would rate my work a 5. I effectively gathered the necessary data and provided comprehensive responses to the questions. Through this activity, I learned how localized weather can change significantly even over short distances and the importance of climate data in understanding overall trends. The challenge was initially navigating the National Weather Service website, but once I became familiar with it, I found the information easily accessible.
Feel free to adapt these responses based on your actual findings and observations!