Forecasting the Weather

Group Members and Their Roles:  You will work with a partner to complete all the activites.  One student will be the job candidate and the other will be the friend.  The completion of all activities will be shared, with the exception of the audition to be performed by the job candidate and the friend who will use a rubric to evaluate their partner during the audition.

Before You Begin:  Before you begin this WebQuest read all the way through the sections to gain an overall understanding of what you need to accomplish and understand the criteria for obtaining the best grade.  Pay particular attention to the evaluation rubric located in the Evaluation section.  You will be evaluated in 2 areas.  For communication in science  you will need to use appropriate scientific language, a range of communication modes and the most appropriate communication format.  With attitudes in science deals with you organizing and processing data.  You will collect and transform data, analyze that data and draw and explain appropriate conclusions. 

Components of Forecasting the Weather: 

TASK 1:  Think about what you have learned and know about the weather  or watch a video clip.  Collect daily weather data  and complete the table (resource 3) everyday up to the day of your audition.  Use the temperature converter  to make sure it is measured in Fahrenheit units. 

TASK 2:  Read about air masses , fronts  and high and low pressure systems.  Pay close attention to where they are formed and what type of weather conditions they carry.  Locate the Air Masses Challenge worksheet (resource 1).  Identify the 2 air masses shown on the map, provide a description of each air mass and describe the type of weather each air mass carries.  Continue with the worksheet to complete the 3 written scenarios of changes in weather due to air mass movement.

TASK 3:  Read over weather symbols  and interpreting station models .  Return to the Air Masses Challenge worksheet (resource 1).  Review the map to locate similar temperatures in a region, connect the temperature dots to identify 1 polar air mass region and 1 tropical air mass region.  Once you have completed the Air Masses Challenge worksheet, please turn it in to your teacher.

Preparing for the Audition: 

TASK 4:  Complete a script for the current and 3 day forecast to prepare for the audition.  Review current weather maps http://www.uni.edu/storm/ for updated weather conditions.  Click on the map to get additional weather maps with more information.  Read at least the Upper Air, Satellite and Surface maps, that can be selected on the left hand side of the screen.  Each map provides a variety of information that you could possibly use.  With the information you can select from these maps you will formulate your forecast for our area in order to prepare for your audition.  In your presentation you will need to supply information on the current weather conditions and provide a 3 day forecast.   To predict your 3 day forecast you will need to identify present day weather with wind speed and direction.  Using a map of the U.S. (resource 2), use the mileage scale to determine how far your weather system will travel in day 1, then for day 2 and finally for day 3, based on the front's rate of wind speed and direction.  Also, take the time to view a newsweather personality on TV.  Notice how the weather personality dresses, moves and speaks.  Do you "like" this person's style?  Think about your audition:  which traits would you copy and which would you change or delete?  How will your style come across during the audition so it enhances your audition?

TASK 5:  Draw the weather map for each of the 3 days you forecast (resource 2).  Be sure to mark the fronts and use the appopropriate symbols for the weather you predict for that day.   Design a story board or powerpoint to supply visual support during the audition.