What do you know?
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather refers to the day-to-day changes in the atmosphere. Climate refers to the average atmospheric conditions found in a given area.
Key Points
Weather refers to the day-to-day changes in the atmosphere. It differs from climate, which is the average Associated with the air above our heads. The atmosphere is the air that we breathe and the place where our weather happens. conditions found in a given area. Weather measurements can be used to create .
The UK's weather forecasts are put together using Facts or information about a particular topic. For example, weather data may give facts about temperature or rainfall. collected from lots of different locations. UK weather forecasts are becoming more accurate.
There are many instruments that are used to collect weatherdata. These include rain gauges,A device used to measure temperature. andA device used to measure wind speed..
What is weather and forecasting?
Video: Forecasting the weather
Find out about forecasting the weather
AZURE: Forecasting the weather
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Hi, I'm Azure.
I'm a meteorologist or weather forecaster.
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My job is to provide forecasts for lots of industries including road and rail companies to help them plan ahead. And I use computer models to help predict the weather.
UK weather is very variable. This is because the UK is surrounded by oceans which can dramatically affect day to day weather. Air travelling from the south and west tends to be warmer and wetter. Whilst air travelling from the north and east tends to be cooler and drier.
Another factor that affects the weather is altitude or height above sea level.
Higher altitudes have lower temperatures which is why there is snow on the top of Ben Nevis in Scotland even in summer.
Forecasts can be very accurate for five days ahead but it becomes increasingly difficult to predict the weather accurately beyond that.
My job is important because the weather is different every day. Industries rely on my forecasts to help prevent accidents and keep people safe.
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Weather refers to the day-to-day changes in the The air surrounding us. The atmosphere contains the gases that we breathe and is the place where our weather happens.. For example, some days are rainy and windy whereas others are sunny and warm. We can measure Associated with the air above our heads. The atmosphere is the air that we breathe and the place where our weather happens. conditions, such as air pressure and wind direction, to create weather . These are A calculation as to what might happen in the future. For example, weather predictions try to calculate what the weather will be like. about what the weather is likely to be in the upcoming days and weeks.
People rely on weather forecasts. They help us to decide things like what to wear and what to do. Some people rely on weather forecasts to carry out their jobs, for example those working outside.
How are forecasts put together?
The UK鈥檚 weather forecasts are put together by organisations including the The national meteorological service for the United Kingdom. The Met Office produces daily and long-range weather forecasts.. In addition to data collected at ground level, forecasters also use measurements recorded by aeroplanes, weather at sea, The letters in the word radar stand for Radio Detection And Ranging. Radar uses radio waves to detect and track objects in the atmosphere. Radar is therefore useful for detecting rainfall. and An object orbiting the Earth. Artificial satellites, such as the International Space Station, collect information about the Earth from space.. The atmosphere is Complicated or difficult. The atmosphere is complex as it is vast and ever-changing. and ever-changing, which makes it difficult to forecast the weather. However, UK weather forecasts are becoming more accurate over time. This is because the An extremely powerful computer capable of complex calculations. These are often used in scientific fields such as weather forecasting and climate research. that are needed to create weather forecasts are becoming faster and more powerful.
Question
Where does the data for our weather forecasts come from?
Weather data is collected:
- on the land - at weather stations
- in the sea - weather buoys
- in the air - aeroplanes and radar
- from space - satellites
Quiz: Weather
Weather Symbols
A range of weather symbols are used when forecasting the weather.
What does each weather symbol look like?
Weather symbols
Sunshine 鈥 yellow sun with rays.
Sunshine and cloud - white cloud with yellow sunrays.
Light rainfall 鈥 black cloud with one blue raindrop.
Heavy rainfall 鈥 black cloud with two blue raindrops.
Hail 鈥 black cloud with two white hailstones.
Light cloud cover 鈥 white cloud.
Overcast 鈥 black cloud.
Occasional sunshine and light showers - black cloud, one blue raindrop and yellow sunrays.
Snow 鈥 black cloud and two white snowflakes.
Thunderstorms 鈥 black cloud and blue lightning bolt.
Quiz: Weather symbols
How is weather measured?
A device used to measure something. For example, a thermometer measures temperature. are used to measure the weather. These include:
- A A device used to measure temperature.. This measures How warm or cool something or someone is. Air temperature is usually measured in degrees Celsius (掳C). in degrees Celsius (掳C) and/or degrees Fahrenheit (掳F). Some thermometers are a glass tube containing fluid that reacts to changes in temperature. Others are An electronic device. For example, some smart phones have digital tools, such as thermometers. and use sensor mechanisms.
- A A device used to measure the amount of rain that has fallen.. This measures rainfall in millimetres (mm). Basic rain gauges are containers that fill up as rain falls. More complex systems use tipping mechanisms that measure rainfall as it flows through.
- A A device used to measure atmospheric pressure. It measures in millibars (mb).. This measures A measure of the force of the air on the Earth鈥檚 surface. If air is rising from the surface of the Earth, it is said to be low pressure. If air is sinking towards the surface of the Earth, it is said to be high pressure. Air pressure is measured in millibars (mb.) in millibars (mb). High pressure means that air is falling. This usually leads to clear skies and dry weather. Low pressure means that air is rising. This usually leads to cloudy skies and rainfall.
- An A device used to measure wind speed.. This measures wind speed in miles per hour (mph). Anemometers spin when the wind blows. As they spin, they calculate the wind speed.
- A An instrument used to indicate wind direction. Some buildings have weathervanes on their roofs.. This shows the wind direction. Weathervanes have compass points and an arrow that aligns itself with the blowing wind. This tell us which direction the wind is coming from.
Question
What instrument is used to measure rainfall?
Rain gauges measure rainfall. These can either be containers that collect water or tipping mechanisms that measure the flow of water.
Quiz: Measuring weather
Quiz: Which type of weather are you?
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