Geology 8 - Earth Science
California State University, Sacramento

Unit 13 - Storms, Weather Maps and Forecasts

Review of instructions for completing the Activities (see the syllabus for more details): Surfing Sites: You must visit all of the surfing sites and write a description of the content of each one. Please note that a web site may consist of many web pages and you should visit enough of these to be able to describe what the entire site is about, not just the home page. Your descriptions should be brief - perhaps a paragraph for each site - but must include 1) a general description of the web site and 2) at least one example of something you learned from the Web site. Web Exercise: You must 1) describe in detail what you did in the Web Exercise and 2) report to me your results. Be sure to include in your report the answers to any questions which are asked on the web site, copies of any forms which you filled out and any certificates of completion which you receive.

Activity Sites You must 1) describe in detail what you did in the activity and 2) report to me your results. Be sure to include in your report the answers to any questions which are asked and copies of any pages on which you did work.

Activity #1 Surfing Sites Precipitation Rainbows Questions and Answers About Snow Snow Crystals Web Exercise Do this activity on a cloudy day. Go to Cloud Catalog. Using the descriptions and photographs of different cloud types, determine which type (or types) is currently present in the sky. Report your results.

Activity #2 Surfing Sites Weather Map Symbols Guide to the Weather Symbols Web Exercise Go to Surface Observation Symbols. Complete sections 1 through 7. Be sure to include in your report the answers to the questions which are asked and printouts of any pages on which you did work.

Activity #3 Web Exercise - Do this activity during daylight hours. For each of the sites listed below, describe the information provided about the current weather in Sacramento (be specific - for example: clear, relative humidity 25%; temperature 83 degrees, wind from the southwest at 25 mph, etc.). Hourly Temperature Statistics National Weather Service USA Today Weather Conditions for SAC Weather for Sacramento, CA Weather Underground Intellicast Weather Map News 10 Discuss how closely these reports agree with each other and how well they match what you can observe yourself?

Activity #4 Surfing Sites Weather Satellite Images The Earth at Night Weather Cams Current Picture of Rotating Earth Web Exercise Go to How Well Can you Predict Tomorrow's Weather? Complete all 9 pages of the tutorial (by using the "next" links) and report your answers to all the questions which are asked.

Activity #5 Surfing Sites Hurricanes 1 Hurricanes 2 Web Exercise - This activity requires you to take readings over a period of time - start early. 1. Locate a current tropical storm or hurricane at one of the following web sites. If you cannot find a current hurricane in the northern hemisphere, look for one in the southern hemisphere. They are sometimes called cyclones or typhoons. Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 1 (National Hurricane Center) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 2 (University of Hawaii) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 3 (University of Wisconsin) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 4 (Weather Underground) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 5 (Canadian Hurricane Center) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 6 (Fiji) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 7 (University of North Carolina) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 8 (Indian Ocean - site 1) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 9 (Indian Ocean - site 2) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 5 (Canadian Hurricane Center) Tropical Cyclones, Data Site 5 (Canadian Hurricane Center) 2. Track the storm on a regular basis (daily?) by plotting latitude and longitude; determine speed, direction, and possible landing locations. You can print off a tracking chart from the National Hurricane Center web site (look at the bottom of the Web page). 3. Forecast the exact location where you think the hurricane will hit land. 4. Compare your prediction to the actual event and explain any errors in your forecast.

Activity #6 Surfing Sites Severe Storms National Severe Storms Forecast Lab Lightning Photography Web Exercise Go to How do Storms Affect Coastlines? Complete all 7 pages of the tutorial (by using the "next" links) and report your answers to all the questions which are asked.

Activity #7 Web Exercise Go to Wind Chill Calculator. From one of the Web sites which are listed in Activity 3, find out the current temperature and wind speed in Sacramento. Using this data, determine the current wind chill.

Activity #8 Web Exercise Go to Weather Crossword Puzzle. Complete the puzzle. Turn in a copy of the completed puzzle.

Activity #9 Web Exercise Go to Meteorology Vocabulary Game. Select the four boxes under Meteorology and Oceanography that are entitled "Meterology Terms," "Meteorology Basics," "The Atmosphere and Weather" and "Where Storms Begin." Click on "I'm ready! Let's Start" and play the game. Try at least five words. Report what the answers were.

Activity #10 Web Exercise Go to Hurricane. Follow the instructions given on the Web site to take the hurricane tour. Go all the way to the end of the trip (visit all 12 stops). Describe your journey.

Activity #11 Web Exercise Go to Tornados. Follow the instructions given on the Web site to take the tornados tour. Go all the way to the end of the trip (visit all 11 stops). Describe your journey.

Activity #12 Web Exercise From information obtained at the following Web sites, prepare a report of the current weather conditions and sea state (wave height, tides, etc.) for the Hawaiian Islands. Current Marine Data National Data Buoy Center Interactive Tide Chart - Location Form (first select Hawaiian Islands, then enter Honolulu as port)