1.

MEASURING THE ELEMENTS OF THE WEATHER

Weather and climate

The word weather is used to describe the day-to-day changes in the conditions of the atmosphere – that is,
the elements of the weather.

Climate is the average conditions of the weather taken over a long period of time, usually 35 years.

Climate varies around the world, but we can divide the world into climate zones – large areas with a similar
climate. Some of these are found in the following table:

CLIMATE DESCRIPTION LATITUDE EXAMPLES

Temperate Cool summers, mild Between 40 and 60
winters, and a fairly even
distribution of rainfall
throughout the year
Desert Hot and dry throughout Between 15 and 30
the year. Rain does fall –
but not very often
Equatorial Hot, wet, and humid all In a band around the
year round. There are no equator
seasons
Savanna Two distinct seasons: a Between 5 and 15
warm dry season and a
hot wet season

TASK: Using the map, include some examples in your table.

What other climate zones are there?

TASK: Look at the six climate graphs on the following page. Match the graph to the correct climate.
Tropical Rainforest Savannah Grassland Cold Desert Climate

London Climate Graph Hot Desert Climate Mediterranean Climate

LT OUR CHANGING WEATHER AND CLIMATE 2017

 1. MEASURING THE ELEMENTS OF THE WEATHER

Measuring the elements of the weather

The following table shows some weather elements, their unit of measurement and the instrument used to
record the weather:

ELEMENT UNIT INSTRUMENT

Temperature
Precipitation
Wind Speed
Wind direction
Air pressure
Cloud types

TASK: Read the PDF on each piece of measuring equipment and answer the questions that follow:

1. Why do most businesses use a digital thermometer

2. How does a digital thermometer work?
3. Why are thermometers placed in a Stevenson screen?
4. What is a rain gauge?
5. Where is it located and why?
6. How does an anemometer operate?
7. How does a wind vane operate?
8. What is the difference between an aneroid and mercury barometer?

Clouds

Clouds are visible accumulations of water droplets or solid ice crystals that float in the Earth’s troposphere
(the lowest part of the Earth’s atmosphere), moving with the wind. From space, clouds are visible as a white
veil surrounding the planet.

Clouds form when water vapour (water that has evaporated from the surface of the Earth) condenses (turns
into liquid water or solid ice) into microscopic dust particles (or other tiny particles) floating in the air.

The main cloud types

LT OUR CHANGING WEATHER AND CLIMATE 2017
 1. MEASURING THE ELEMENTS OF THE WEATHER

Cirrus

Cumulus

Stratus

Cumulonimbus

Sources of data for weather forecasting

A weather forecast is made using computers and the records of past weather patterns to predict current
weather. They are usually accurate for a period of 24 hours and reasonably accurate for up to five days
ahead. Beyond this, they become increasingly unreliable. The chaotic nature of our atmosphere means that it
is unlikely that we will ever be able to make accurate long-range weather forecasts.

How do land-based stations help forecast the weather?

Surface land observations are important because they represent measurements of the weather people
experience. Land based stations measure elements such as air temperature, amount of rainfall, mean wind

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 1. MEASURING THE ELEMENTS OF THE WEATHER
speed and duration of sunshine. Therefore, a typical station will contain instruments such as a rain gauge and
cup anemometer.

In the UK, each weather station is located roughly 40km apart. The ideal site for a land-based station will
have level ground, no trees and/or buildings nearby and not be sited in a frost hollow or on top of a hill.
Some stations will have a trained observer.

How do sources of data in the air help forecast the weather?

Most weather is captured in digital form from space, using satellites. The data captured goes beyond simple
temperature recordings, it also covers snowfall, wildfire locations and Doppler radar images of precipitation.

A satellite is a small spacecraft that carries specific weather instruments. It is launched into space and orbits
the Earth recording its weather data. It takes pictures of cloud patterns and records wind speeds which help
us determine the type of weather we will have.

What is the difference between a geostationary and polar satellite?

How do sources of data in the sea help forecast the weather?

Dotted around the UK are various moored weather buoys which are also collecting weather data
continuously and feeding it back into the Met Office systems.

As well as the usual weather climate statistics they are also measuring the sea temperature, wave heights and
swell so you can have a good idea of how smooth any sailing or Cross Channel Ferry trips are going to be.

TASK: See what you can find out about Benjamin Franklin and kite experiments.

LT OUR CHANGING WEATHER AND CLIMATE 2017