SCIENCE HAPPENINGS
by Matt Nicholas, E-M Science
Instructor
For the last several weeks in
meteorology class, we have been observing and analyzing weather maps. The
students were responsible for recording various data points including:
Temperature, Pressure, Wind, Clouds, and weather maps with fronts over a two-week
period. They then were tasked with identifying patterns and predicting future
weather. This semester we encounter varied degrees of success. Several students
correctly predicted the high and low temps within a few degrees and one student
had a classic weather map prediction that was nearly perfect in comparison to
the actual map for that day. The students were able to see that weather
prediction is not a science of precise prediction, but using probability to
predict the most likely outcomes. We were able to make average to good
prediction with just our minds, paper, and pencils. Imagine what can be done
with the data gathered by high tech satellites in orbit and processes by
supercomputers on the ground. We all give the weatherman a hard time when he is
wrong, but we have to remember the atmosphere is a turbulent place that can
change at the drop of a hat.
As we move forward in our study of
weather and climate, we will be looking deeper into what causes fronts to form
and what effects will those fronts produce. Once we understand the “anatomy” of
a front, we can learn what to look for when attempting to predict severe
weather. We will study the forces behind Tornadoes and thunderstorms and then
move into our study of climate. So, if the weather outside is frightful, just
look to one of your E-M meteorology students for the scoop. (Yes, that was a
snow joke!)
Pictured:
Front
– Evan Harre and Jos Cremers
Back
– Trystan Brandt, Evan True, and Max Zeleny
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