← View Course Details

Meteorology

Syllabus

Essential Questions:

  • What factors in Earth’s systems affect weather?
  • How does energy flow through the meteorological system?
  • What data are used to discuss weather?
  • How do humans and weather interact?

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will describe and use instruments to measure weather data.
  • Students will collect and analyze data dealing with temperature, pressure, and humidity and their interrelationships.
  • Students will investigate the formation and movement of air masses, frontal systems, and Earth’s weather patterns.
  • Students will explain the causes of and differences between global, regional, and local wind systems.
  • Students will analyze and explain the causes and effects of severe weather systems, such as blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes and be able to locate and use emergency resources.
  • Students will explore the changes in the study of weather, both recent and historic.

Week 1: Introduction to Meteorology

  • Understand the scope of content, requirements, and expectations for the course.
  • Be familiar with the instruments and measurement units used by meteorologists.
  • Describe school locations using latitude and longitude.

Week 2: Global Scale

  • Analyze and describe visual patterns from seasonal weather data.
  • Differentiate the layers of the atmosphere by temperature and content.
  • Locate bands of prevailing winds and describe how the Coriolis Effect determines these.

Week 3: On the Map #1

  • Differentiate between data collected at the ground, atmospheric, & satellite levels.
  • Read & create station models using temperature, dew point, pressure, cloud cover, wind speed, direction, and current conditions.
  • Collaboratively create a timeline of important events in weather history.

Week 4: On the Map #2

  • Identify air masses by their temperature and moisture content.
  • Create an isotherm map and identify frontal systems.
  • Use proper meteorology notation to show frontal systems on a map.

Week 5: On the Map #3

  • Define sea level pressure.
  • Create an isobar map to locate High and Low pressure systems.
  • Use pressure gradients and the "hand twist" to predict wind direction on a map.

Week 6: Moisture and Clouds

  • "Create a Cloud" experiment to demonstrate temperature vs pressure and the need for condensation nuclei.
  • Calculate the height of cloud bases.
  • Use dew point to predict fog, frost, dew, or precipitation.

Week 7: Precipitation

  • Differentiate between typical warm front precipitation and cold front participation.
  • Research an extreme precipitation event.
  • Construct a rain gauge and use it for the rest of the semester.
  • Examine El Nino/La Nina patterns and predict possible precipitation scenarios.

Week 8: Weather in 3-dimensions

  • Define jet streams and locate a jet stream on a local weather map.
  • Read a "stuve diagram" and discuss how it illustrates your local weather.
  • Analyze how the movement of jet streams changes with the seasons.

Week 9: Mid-Latitude Cyclones

  • Label a mid-latitude cyclone with air masses, pressure system, and fronts.
  • Analyze a posted local weather forecast map and predict short-term weather events.
  • Locate current jet stream placement and frontal systems.

Week 10: Severe Weather and Human Impacts, Part 1

  • Analyze the relationship between thunderstorms and tornadoes and terrain.
  • Locate reliable sources available for watches, warnings, and preparedness and report their recommendations.
  • Research historic and recent methods of weather modification and evaluate the positive and negative consequences of such modification.

Week 11: Severe Weather and Human Impacts, Part 2

  • Analyze Atlantic basin hurricane data looking for conditions, severity, and tracks.
  • Use a database to explore the human and economic costs of severe weather events.
  • Research the various types of proxy and real-time climate data and present to the class.

Week 12: Severe Weather and Human Impacts, Part 3

  • Interview friends & family about historic storms. Compare their stories with news accounts at the time.
  • Explain the sequence of events necessary for a Nor'Easter. How are blizzards and Nor'Easters alike or different?
  • Research and share some of the effects of climate change.

Week 13: Weather Analysis.

  • Create graphs to explore and analyze the relationship between data sets.
  • Analyze the meteorologist interviews and decide what hard and soft skills make a good meteorologist.

Week 14: Fact and Fiction

  • Share what proxy data are illustrated in traditional weather sayings.
  • Evaluate your ability to observe local conditions and create a short-term forecast.
  • Review course content and ask for clarification on any points of xyz.

Week 15: Wrap Up and Review

  • Reflect on the learning from the semester.
  • Provide feedback about the course.
  • Say farewell to your new friends.