MetLink Activity 8

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 Europe on Tuesday 31 January 2006:

This activity is designed for use with students of 11 to14 years of age. For younger or less able students in this age range, teachers may wish to consider using Activity No 1 as an alternative.

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 consider how weather conditions influence human activities.

The Activity:

You need the following:

  1. Large outline map of Europe.
  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

+ Make sure the dates are set correctly

+ Click on Search now

This shows you all of the observations made by MetLink participants around the world for the day.

  1. Select MetLink participants from Europe who have logged data so far. They are in: CY Cyprus; ES Spain; FR France; IT Italy; MT Malta; RO Romania; SE Sweden; SK Slovakia. Also select three participants from the UK – one from south-e ast England, one from Wales and one from Scotland.
  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: H for high-level clouds; M for medium-level clouds; L for low-level clouds; V for clouds of great vertical extent.
    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 Europe using the following subheadings:
a. Temperature
b. Precipitation
c. Wind direction and force
d. Cloud amount and type

3. Study the satellite images of Europe. Click here for the 06:00UTC infra-red image and click here for the 12:00 UTC 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 2d above.

4.  Use your observations and also the Europe overview map (click here) to answer the following questions:

a. Where would good places be to go on holiday in Europe at the moment? What sort of holiday activities could you do there and why?
b. Are there any parts of Europe in which active farming would be possible at the moment? Where? Give reasons for your answers.
c. Are there any parts of Europe where the weather will be making people’s lives difficult or dangerous at the moment? Where? Give reasons for your answers.

Adaptation for use in other areas of the world:

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

South East Asia and Australia:

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

Pacific visible satellite image 03:00UTC. Click here

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

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

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

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

Japan observations 06:00UTC. Click here

Australia weather chart 06:00UTC. Click here

Africa and Arabia:

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

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

America infra-red satellite image 15:00UTC. Click here

America visible satellite image 15:00UTC. Click here

General World Overview:

World overview 31 January 2006. Click here