Weather Channel Weather Tracker Project
Instructions: You will answer each of the questions below as they pertain to particular map settings on the weather.com site. The purpose of this activity is to get oriented with using weather maps, seeing the differences in weather across the country at any given time, and to learn how to navigate through weather.com.
You will turn in 3 complete entries OTHER than the practice one we will do in class together today. Entries may be in the form of a Google presentation, Google Doc (organized), poster, or other form approved by myself. This assignment is a project, so it will be worth your time as project grades are test grades in my class!! Make sure you follow directions precisely and answer all questions. Happy tracking!!
Due Date: Friday, May 8th
Maps
Access weather.com and take your mouse and hover over the maps tab. A window will appear and “classic weather maps” should be on the left. Click on classic weather maps.
Current Surface Map
1. Describe, in general, where the cold and warm fronts are located. Cold fronts are represented by the blue, icicle lines, and the warm fronts are represented by the red lines. A stationary front is represented by alternating red and blue lines.
2. Where are the high and low pressure systems? Low pressure systems are represented by the red L and high pressure systems are represented by the blue H. Are they strong or weak (describe each)? Remember, this is demonstrated through the white lines on the map.
National Doppler Radar (scroll to bottom to find this map or click on the “Radar” tab at the top)
3. Where is there precipitation? Make sure you explain what kind of precipitation and if it is light, medium, or heavy.
U.S. Infrared Satellite (click on the satellite tab at the top and look at the first map)
4. Where are the coldest clouds located? These are represented by blue/purplish clouds. Describe by using state names.
Severe Weather Alerts (click on the severe tab at the top)
5. Where the severe weather alerts located and what are they?
Weekly Planner
6. Which weather events are projected to take place and where are they located two days from now (scroll down to “US Day 2 Forcast”)?
Go to the search engine in the top right and type in the town in which you live. On the bottom of the screen, not the page, you will see various tabs ranging from “today” to “10 day”. Click on “today”.
Today
7. What is today’s weather according to the website, what is the percent chance of rain, what is the high temperature, and what is the low temperature?
10 Day (click on “10 day” tab)
8. When is the coldest day? Hottest day? Windiest day? When is it supposed to rain?
Top Story
Go back to the homepage (weather.com). The majority of the screen should be covered by a picture with a headline. Click on the headline.
9. Give a BRIEF summary of this top story for today. If your story is the same next time you visit the site, choose one of the eight stories directly below the headline.