

How do you predict the weather? For example, when you see a clear blue sky on a warm day, what do you expect to happen? Probably not much-your experience of this weather pattern has taught you that clear blue skies on warm days mean fair weather. Now let's try to imagine how people predicted the weather before engineers and scientists developed modern forecasting equipment (as shown in Figure 2).

You might also need to know the weather if you are planning a camping trip-the wilderness is beautiful, but it can be dangerous to be far from shelter during a storm. Certain types of weather conditions, such as extremely high winds and severe thunderstorms can make air travel unsafe.

For example, pilots need accurate weather forecasts to make air travel safe and comfortable for passengers. Everybody who plans a picnic, a camping trip, or flies an airplane depends on these weather forecasts. What are some of the engineering devices that are used today to forecast the weather? (Possible answers: Weather balloons, satellites, Doppler radars, computer programs, etc.) So, if engineers design this equipment, who uses it? Meteorologists and climatologists use these engineering devices to make weather forecasts. Modern weather forecasting is more complicated than using our senses to predict the weather-it really depends on the work of engineers and scientists. You might be looking at the shape and color of the clouds in the sky, feeling how warm or cool the air is, or watching the trees to see if they are swaying in the breeze. In this case, you are using your senses to forecast the weather. Even you forecast the weather when you look out the window or step outside in the morning before deciding what to wear. People have been forecasting the weather for thousands of years. straight, thin jar (a graduated cylinder works best) The following materials for each weather forecasting tool:.1 large box or crate to put the different weather forecasting tools together as a weather station.Forecasting with Clouds Reference Sheet, one per team.Weather Station Worksheet, one per team.

#TOOLS TO MEASURE WEATHER WORKSHEETS FREE PRINTABLES SOFTWARE#
Other engineers contribute to weather forecasting equipment by designing the electronics, circuitry and software so the equipment can sense, measure and relay weather data accurately.Īfter this activity, students should be able to: They test the equipment to make sure that it is safe to use and can withstand severe atmospheric conditions. Engineers design and build the high-tech equipment that is used for weather forecasting. Engineers have also designed the automatic weather station (AWS), which collects weather data automatically in remote areas such as the mountains or Antarctica. Who cares about the weather? A lot of people do, including engineers! Engineers have designed modern weather forecasting equipment, including weather balloons, satellites, Doppler radar, and computer simulation programs to help meteorologists make accurate weather forecasts. A backyard weather station made by students.
