How to set up your weather station

The Weather Kit provided to each class includes a measurement tool for wind, rain, and temperature. There is also a chart for cloud typing. It can be mounted permanently in the schoolyard on a post, or, teachers have mounted it to a moveable rod (round ½"-1" dowel, or square 1"x1" stick) set into a coffee can filled with gravel or sand. The moveable unit is the most adaptable and will potentially have the longest life.

In addition, we have seen a teacher decorate the rod with Native American - themed ribbons and designs so it becomes a traditional-style Weather Stick.

Set out the weather station in a location that is far from buildings or other wind obstructions. It has screws to mount it, and it is important to also mount it as level to the ground as possible (if in a can of gravel or sand, this adjustment will always need to be reset ). Mount the metal swivel with the two screws first. Then on the main body add the rain gauge, thermometer, wind velocity indicator, and total rain indicator. Then place the flat compass rose base on the metal swivel, followed by the main body, and then topped by the swivel cap to hold it all in place.

Using a compass, position the compass rose on the north-south line. The compass rose should remain stationary while the body with its gauges will swivel around following the wind. Wind speed is determined by the wind velocity 'arm' on the station.

How to Use the Weather System

Once a day, an appointed student or team of students, should take a reading out in the schoolyard. Ideally, there will be a set time for the reading - first thing in the morning, noon hour, etc. Record precipitation (any water in the clear vile), sky conditions - sunny, cloudy, overcast?; temperature, wind velocity and direction. Also record cloud type and direction they are moving at that time of day. If you have access to a barometer, then that measurement can also be included.

Upon returning to the classroom, have an appointed student enter the data gathered onto the Camp Weather Report form. It is also advisable to keep a written Weather Log in the classroom for referral when not online.

Weather Forecasting

Advanced classrooms can also experiment with weather forecasting. Using the cloud chart to understand what different cloud formations are indicative of, combine a cloud reading with wind direction and velocity, and any current precipitation. It will be possible for students to make a prediction of the next day's weather. If you also have a barometer in the class, your predictions will increase in accuracy. It is suggested that each prediction made be first written into a classroom Weather Log, and then be written up and posted on a bulletin board in the classroom. And then the next day, a comparison can be made to determine the accuracy of the previous day's predication. One additional layer to this process that can be beneficial is to assign specific students to watch their local television weather report one night a week, Mondays - Thursdays, and then bring a synopsis of that local prediction into the class and record it in the Weather Log. Students will see how many days their predictions were right, how many days the weatherperson was right, and sometimes, what days the students were right and the weatherperson was not !