TEST YOUR LOCAL

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TEST YOUR LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST
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CLIMATE
Climate is defined as synthesis of weather
conditions in a given area, characterized by
long-term statistics (mean values, variances,
probabilities of extreme values, etc.) of the
meteorological elements in that area. In other
words, climate is the weather that consistently
occurs over time. Scientists determine climate by
using things like the average high and low
temperatures, amount of precipitation, amount of
sunlight, and length of the growing season. Can
you describe the climate in Illinois? Is it Warm
or Cool? Wet or Dry?
Click on Illinois to see if you made an accurate
prediction
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WEATHER
What is the difference between weather and
climate? Answer Climate is long term and weather
is short term! Weather is the atmospheric
conditions at a particular place and a particular
time. A lot of factors make up weather. How many
can you name?
Click on Illinois to get your local weather!
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SUNSHINE
The amount of sunlight an area is exposed to is
one factor that makes up weather. The amount of
sunlight an area receives can be effected by
several things, but we are mainly talking about
cloud cover and length of day. Look outside and
see what kind of cloud cover is present today.
How would you describe it? Would you describe it
the same as a local meteorologist? Estimate what
time the sun rose today and what time it will
set! How many minutes is that?
Click here to check your estimate!
Click here to get your local cloud cover!
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PRECIPITATION
What kinds of precipitation do you see on this
weather map? Using the map, what is the weather
like in Illinois?
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WIND
What makes the wind blow?
Try this Collect an empty soda bottle, a balloon,
some hot water, and a container you can put the
bottle in. Place the balloon over the mouth of
the bottle. Pour a few inches of hot water into
the container. Hold the soda bottle in the hot
water.
What happened? Explain why!
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TEMPERATURE
Temperature is defined as the average amount of
kinetic energy in a sample of matter. The
temperature outside is effected by many things
including the amount of sunlight, humidity, and
ground cover. Estimate the average high and low
temperatures in the months of January, April,
July, and October for where you live.
Check your estimate!
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Here's Chuck Collins'
Its time to test your local forecaster! Chuck
Collins is a meteorologist for WMBD-TV in Peoria.
On the WMBD website Chuck has his eight day
forecast. It includes the high and low
temperature for the day, predicted precipitation
and cloud conditions for each day. Record Chucks
eight day forecast. At the end of each day check
Chucks forecast. Record the actual measurements
for high and low temperatures, amount of
precipitation, and cloud cover. How good a job
did Chuck do? Explain any differences.
Click here for Chucks eight day forecast!
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CREDITS
http//www.tvweather.com/ http//www.sws.uiuc.edu/
atmos/statecli/Mapsv2/mapsv2.htmpcp http//www.cr
h.noaa.gov/ilx/forecast.htm http//aa.usno.navy.mi
l/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html http//www.wmbd.com/wea
ther.asp http//www.weather.com/