WEATHER-What is weather?

-Why do we track it?-How does it affect us in West Milford?

How hot or cold it is.Measure of Heat Energy

What is happening outside?What does it look like out?

How much H2O coming from sky?

Length of sunlight In a day (24hrs)

If there is precip and it’s < 32°F = snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet

If there is precip and> 32°F = rain

Longer photoperiod = hotter

Shorter photoperiod = colder temps

Temperature Scale ComparisonIn science, we record most data in degrees Celsius, which is generally used in conjunction with the metric system and used almost worldwide.

We will record daily temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, which is associated with the Standard system and used in the US.

Fahrenheit vs. Celsius

98.6° vs. 37 ° (body temp)

70° vs. 20 ° (room temp)

39° vs. 4° (fridge temp)

350° vs. 180° (oven temp)

The difference between WEATHER and CLIMATE

• Weather is the current atmospheric conditions, including temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity at any given place. If you stand outside, you can tell how hot it is by taking a temperature reading or feel if it is raining or windy, sunny or cloudy. All of these factors make up what we think of as weather. Weather is what is happening right now or likely to happen tomorrow or in the very near future.

• Climate, on the other hand, is the general weather conditions. We can know about an area’s climate by looking at long-term patterns and we can predict what it will be like there using that knowledge. For example, in the winter, we expect it to often be rainy in Portland, Oregon, sunny and mild in Phoenix, Arizona, and very cold and snowy in Buffalo, New York. But it would not be particularly startling to hear of an occasional January day with mild temperatures in Buffalo, rain in Phoenix, or snow in Portland. Meteorologists often point out that "climate is what you expect and weather is what you get." Or, as one middle school student put it, "Climate helps you decide what clothes to buy, weather helps you decide what clothes to wear."

Weather vs. ClimateWeather

What is happening right now or soon! (or just happened)

Temperature, conditions, rainfall, wind speed, humidity, etc.

What you get

What to wear today!

Climate

The overall pattern of what an area’s weather is like.

Average temperature for a timeframe, average rainfall, etc

What you expect

What clothes to buy for where you live

Monthly Weather Data Graphing Project

Who: All 8th grade studentsWhat: Collect weekly weather data and create weather

reportsWhere: Classroom and computer lab at Macopin School,

West Milford, NJWhen: Reports will be collected from September – June

Teacher may also collect and review weather data notebooks periodically

Why: Weather is connected to science skills in chemistry, physics, and earth science. You will also be using math skills and computer skills to create and analyze weather data.

Your Do Now Notebook• Kept in your science classroom• Used weekly to record data and to organize

data in Excel and create graphsLabel with your full name and science period on the cover.

A helpful hint- write your name on the top and bottom edges of the notebook too so you can find yours in the bin quickly each day!

Setting up your notebookYou will organize your weather notebook using this format for each week’s data:

Keeping your notebook up-to-date is essential. Without accurate data, you will be unable to create your monthly graphs and summaries. You are responsible for ALL data collected. If you are absent, you must gather the missed data from a classmate at an appropriate time in class.

Your weather notebook should be kept in your period’s bin in the science classroom. It should not be kept in your locker or taken home.