Simple Weather Station Lab

Weather is what is happening in the atmosphere right now or over the next few days. Climate is the long-term average of weather in a region over many years.

• Weather changes from day to day and is hard to predict far in advance.
• Climate changes slowly and can be described by seasonal averages.
• In this lab you are collecting weather data, not climate data.

Professional weather stations measure four key variables every hour, every day.

• Temperature. Measured by a thermometer in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Placed in shade to avoid direct sun heating.
• Cloud Cover. Estimated visually or by satellite. Categories range from Clear to Overcast.
• Wind Speed. Measured by an anemometer in km/h or mph. Higher wind often signals a passing front.
• Precipitation. Measured by a rain gauge in millimetres. Types include rain, drizzle, and snow.

Patterns in weather data help forecasters predict what comes next.

• Cloud buildup before rain. Skies typically shift from Clear to Partly Cloudy to Overcast before precipitation arrives.
• Temperature drops near fronts. A cold front brings cooler air. Temperatures often fall 3-8°C as a front passes.
• Wind speed increases. Wind tends to pick up ahead of a storm and calm down after it passes.

This lab connects to Next Generation Science Standards for grades 3-5:

• 3-ESS2-1. Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.
• 3-ESS2-2. Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.
• ESS2.D. Weather and climate involve the interactions of Earth's atmosphere and surface.

By logging observations, building a data table, and identifying patterns, you are practicing the same skills real meteorologists use every day.