Question

1.Choose two locations from this activity that had very different weather over the 5
days. Make a prediction for the weather in these areas for Day 6.
2.Draw a weather map for each location to show your prediction. Use the symbols
you observed in the Virtual Meteorologist Lab in your drawings. Make sure you
choose and arrange symbols so that each map corresponds accurately to the
weather conditions you predict.
© 2019 Pearson Online & Blended Learning K–12 USA. All rights reserved. 6
3.After you draw each map, write a scientific argument to defend your drawing.
Include a claim, evidence from data presented in the lab, and your reasoning. 12
points
____________________
____________________ Location:
Predicted Weather Map:
Argument:
Location:
Predicted Weather Map:
Argument:
© 2019 Pearson Online & Blended Learning K–12 USA. All rights reserved. 7
Draw Conclusions
Answer the questions below to draw conclusions about how meteorologists collect
and analyze data to make predictions about weather.
1.Describe your experiences predicting the weather. What weather data and
map information was most helpful in making accurate predictions about the next
day's weather? 2 points
2.Explain why it is important for meteorologists to have several different
measures about the weather in a location when making a prediction. 2 points
3.This activity used a regional weather map, showing weather in the United
States. When might a meteorologist use a global weather map together with a
regional weather map to make predictions? 2 points
4.What additional questions do you have about how meteorologists predict the
weather? What can you do to find the answers to your questions? Consider
sharing any new learning with your family, friends, teacher, or classmates.

Answer 1

I don’t have your Virtual Meteorologist Lab screens, so below I give two clear example choices (Seattle, WA and Phoenix, AZ), Day‑6 predictions, exactly how to draw the maps using the lab symbols, and a brief scientific argument for each (claim, evidence, reasoning). You can copy these or change the place names/values to match the actual lab data you saw.

Location 1: Seattle, WA (coastal NW)
Predicted Day 6 weather map (how to draw it)
- Draw the Pacific coast and mark Seattle.
- Place a Low pressure center (L) off the Pacific coast, northwest of Seattle.
- Draw a cold front as a blue line with triangles pointing toward the east/southeast, extending from the L toward the coast and passing just north of Seattle.
- Show cloud symbols over Seattle and the coast.
- Add rain/cloud with raindrop symbols over Seattle.
- Add wind barbs from the southwest (pointing toward the northeast) indicating brisk onshore winds.
- Write predicted temperature ~ 50–56°F (cool) and relative humidity high.

Argument (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)
- Claim: On Day 6 Seattle will be cloudy with periodic showers and cool temperatures.
- Evidence: Over the previous five days Seattle showed repeated rain and cloud cover, surface pressure has been low and steady or falling, winds have been southerly/southwesterly bringing Pacific moisture, and a cold front is shown approaching in the lab data.
- Reasoning: Low pressure and an approaching cold front force air to rise, which cools and condenses moisture into clouds and rain. Southerly onshore flow brings additional moisture from the ocean, so even after the front passes residual instability and cool air keep temperatures lower and allow showers to continue. The cold front symbol and the low pressure center on the map explain the cloudy, showery conditions.

Location 2: Phoenix, AZ (southwest desert)
Predicted Day 6 weather map (how to draw it)
- Draw Arizona and mark Phoenix.
- Place a High pressure center (H) over the southwestern U.S./Arizona.
- No fronts near Phoenix; show clear sky/sun symbols over Phoenix.
- Add light wind barbs (calm to light southerly or northerly) and no precipitation symbols.
- Write predicted temperature ~ 95–105°F (hot) and low relative humidity.

Argument (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)
- Claim: On Day 6 Phoenix will be clear and hot with little or no precipitation.
- Evidence: The last five days in the lab display mostly sunny, dry conditions in Phoenix, with surface pressure relatively high and no frontal passages nearby. The regional map shows a high (H) centered over the Southwest.
- Reasoning: High pressure causes sinking air that suppresses cloud formation, leading to clear skies and strong daytime heating. Without fronts or moisture advection, there is little mechanism for precipitation. The H symbol and lack of fronts on the map support a forecast of hot, dry weather.

Draw Conclusions — answers
1) Describe your experiences predicting the weather. What data was most helpful?
- I used trends from temperature, surface pressure, and wind direction, plus the regional weather map showing highs/lows and fronts. Satellite or radar cloud/precipitation images and the location/movement of fronts and pressure centers were the most helpful, because they showed where moisture and lifting were occurring and how systems were moving.

2) Why is it important for meteorologists to have several different measures?
- Different measurements describe different parts of the atmosphere (temperature, humidity, pressure, wind, precipitation). Combining them reduces uncertainty and reveals processes (e.g., a falling pressure plus southerly winds and rising humidity signals an approaching storm). One measure alone can be misleading; several measures give a complete, cross-checked picture for better predictions.

3) When might a meteorologist use a global map together with a regional map?
- When large-scale features influence local weather: for example, jet stream position, tropical storms or hurricanes, ENSO (El Niño/La Niña) patterns, or a Pacific or Arctic air mass moving toward the region. A global map shows those large-scale drivers; the regional map shows how they affect the local forecast.

4) What additional questions do you have and how can you find answers?
- Possible questions: How do computer models turn current observations into a forecast? How do satellites measure humidity and wind at different altitudes? How do meteorologists decide between different model solutions? To find answers: read NOAA/NWS educational pages, online courses (e.g., Coursera/edX meteorology basics), textbooks, the lab’s help pages, watch real forecaster briefings, or ask a local meteorologist/teacher. Share what you learn with classmates or family.

If you want, tell me the two actual locations and the 5‑day data you saw in your lab (temperatures, pressure trend, fronts, cloud/precip patterns) and I will write Day‑6 maps and arguments that match your exact lab data.