MetLink Activity 2

Please note that the study format used in this can be applied to areas of the world other than the UK by using the MetLink resources listed at the end of the activity:

Weather around the British Isles on Monday 30th January 2006:

This activity is designed for use with students of 16 years of age and over. In England and Wales these are AS- and A-Level students; in Scotland they are young persons studying for their Highers.

The aims of this activity are:

+ to use IT skills in finding information.

+ to use mapping and graphical skills in presenting information, making use of standard weather mapping symbols.

+ to describe weather conditions and how they vary in different locations.

+ to interrelate and attempt to explain weather conditions.

The Activity:

You need the following:

  1. Large outline map of the British Isles.
  2. Atlas. If you have access to Microsoft Encarta that would be good. Or you can use an atlas book.

1. Go to the MetLink observations database by using the MetLink Home page

+ Click on Data central

+ Click on Search observations

+ Click on the drop down country menu

+ Click on the UK – United Kingdom

+ Make sure the dates are set correctly

+ Click on Search now

This shows you all of the observations made by MetLink participants in the UK for the day.

  1. Select a range of locations which give a good coverage of the UK. The number you select will depend on how much time you have available.
  2. Plot the data for each location using the standard Met Office key which you can obtain by clicking here. For temperature, use both the maximum and minimum values. For cloud types, use the following letters:
    High-level clouds: Ci Cirrus; Cc Cirrocumulus; Cs Cirrostratus
    Medium-level clouds: Ac Altocumulus; As Altostratus
    Low-level clouds: Cu Cumulus; Sc Stratocumulus; St Stratus
    Clouds of considerable vertical extent: Ns Nimbostratus; Cb Cumulonimbus.

(To find out more about cloud descriptions, please click here).

2. Using your map, describe the pattern of weather across the UK using the following subheadings:
a. Temperature
b. Precipitation
c. Humidity
d. Wind direction and force
e. Cloud amount & type

3. Study the satellite images of the British Isles. Click here for the infra-red image and click here for the visible image. Remember that on the infra-red image, cold cloud which is at high altitude appears white. If it is a rather “thin” white, then this indicates it is only a high-level cloud such as cirrus. If it is a very intense white, this means the tops are at high altitude, but there is a considerable vertical extent of cloud below. Low cloud is much warmer and appears grey on the IR image.
a. Describe the pattern of cloud distribution and type.
b. Comment on how it compares with your answer to 2e above.

4. Now explain the weather patterns you have described by reference to the following resources:
a. The Europe weather chart 12:00UTC 30 January (click here). Take into account in particular the pressure systems (the position and intensity of highs and lows) and frontal systems or their absence.
b. The Europe Overview map for 12:00UTC (click here).  Take into account in particular the atmospheric circulation around high and lows and the temperature and likely humidity of the air sources involved.

Adaptation for use in other areas of the world:

This study format can be applied to areas of the world other than the UK by using the following MetLink resources:

South East Asia and Australia:

Pacific infra-red satellite image 03:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Pacific visible satellite image 03:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Indian Ocean infra-red satellite image 08:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Indian Ocean visible satellite image 08:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Hong Kong weather chart 00:00UTC (08:00Local Time) 30 January. Click here

Southern Asia and Indian Ocean 925mb winds 00:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Japan observations 06:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Australia weather chart 06:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Rainfall Australia 24 hours to 09:00 Local Time 30 January. Click here

Europe other than the UK:

Europe weather chart 00:00UTC 30 January Click here

Scandinavia observations 06:00UTC 30 January Click here

Weather chart Europe 06:00UTC 30 January Click here

Weather chart Europe 12:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Europe infra-red satellite image 12:00UTC 30 January Click here

Europe visible satellite image 12:00UTC 30 January 2006 Click here

Europe overview 12:00UTC Click here

Africa and Arabia:

Weather chart South Africa 06:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Africa infra-red satellite image 12:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Africa visible satellite image 12:00UTC 30 January. Click here

North and South America:

Weather chart North America 18:00UTC 30 January. Click here

Weather chart South Atlantic and South Pacific 12:00UTC 30 January. Click here

America infra-red satellite image 18:00UTC 30 January. Click here

America visible satellite image 18:00UTC 30 January. Click here

General World Overview:

World overview 30 January 2006 Click here