Weather Stations. Evaluation copy. 9. Post live weather data on the school s web site for students, faculty and community.

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1 Weather Stations Computer P6 Collecting and analyzing weather data can be an important part of your Earth Science curriculum. It might even be an ongoing part of your entire course. A variety of activities can be developed around weather data. Here are some examples. 1. Collect and analyze outdoor air temperature and relative humidity data for a 24-hour period. How does relative humidity change as temperature changes? 2. For a 24 hour period compare the air temperature next to the ground to the air temperature 1 m above the ground. Are these temperatures always the same? If they are not the same, is one temperature always warmer or colder than the other temperature? 3. Compare ground temperatures at different depths for a day. Are these temperatures always the same? If they are not the same, is one temperature always warmer or colder than the other temperature? 4. Collect barometric pressure as a storm approaches and leaves the area. What pressure changes occurred during this weather event? Compare those changes to cloud cover and precipitation. 5. Collect outdoor air temperature for a 24 hour period. Determine the minimum, maximum and mean temperature for the 24 hour period. Meteorologists calculate the daily average temperature by averaging the high and low for that day. How does this average temperature compare to the mean temperature? 6. Have students take data and keep a weather log every day for a month. Use that data to create graphs of temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure. Compare the data to cloud cover, the types of clouds present, type of precipitation, and any unusual weather conditions of each day. 7. Obtain a local weather map each day for two weeks. Record the movement of weather fronts and compare them to local conditions. 8. Use the data from a UV sensor to report UV Index and create awareness of the dangers of exposure to UV radiation. 9. Post live weather data on the school s web site for students, faculty and community. 10. Create a web site with weather data from multiple schools throughout the area. Evaluation copy These are just a few example activities that you might want to try. The following information describes options for collecting weather data. Vernier Data-Collection Technology The Vernier data-collection interfaces and our Barometers, Relative Humidity Sensors, and Temperature Probes can be used to collect weather data. The first six sample activities described above can be performed with this equipment. As a matter of a fact, the first four activities are projects that appear in the Earth Science with Vernier book. However, you may want to collect a more complete set of weather data, in which case a weather station may be more appropriate. Earth Science with Vernier P6-1

2 Computer P6 Davis Weather Stations A number of weather stations with an assortment of features and a wide range of costs are commercially available. Because of their high quality and reasonable price, Vernier Software & Technology has chosen to carry the line of weather stations manufactured by Davis Instruments. The Davis weather stations come in a standard model or a Vantage Pro2 Plus model. Cabled versions and wireless versions are available for each model. Each weather station includes a console with an AC-power adapter, an integrated sensor suite with a 12 m (40') anemometer cable, and mounting hardware. The Plus also includes a UV sensor and a solar radiation sensor. The console displays current weather information and a forecast based on the latest meteorological algorithms. The console houses a barometer, relative humidity sensor, and temperature sensor for indoor measurements. The console is also a weather computer collecting, storing, and displaying historical weather data. A large LCD panel displays current data or highs and lows for up to 24 different hours, days, months or years. You can view over 80 graphs including additional analysis of temperature, rain, rain rate, wind, and barometric pressure without a computer. The console may be powered using the included AC-power adapter or with three C batteries. Batteries lasts up to one year under normal conditions. The weather stations are designed to make setup easy and to improve reliability. The integrated sensor suite is factory-assembled, and it contains a rain collector, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and anemometer. The anemometer can be detached for mounting separately. Vantage Pro (wireless version) P6-2 Earth Science with Vernier

3 Weather Stations provides all of the following data: Barometric pressure Inside and outside humidity Inside and outside temperature Wind speed and direction Dew point Rain Time of sunrise and sunset at your location Rain rate Rainfall fall totals for the last 24 storms Wind chill Heat index Moon phase Local forecast Highs & lows for most weather variables, with time and/or date, for each of the last 24 hours, days, months, and years. The Plus contains everything listed above plus a solar radiation sensor and UV sensor. The solar radiation sensor allows you to measure Evapotranspiration in inches or millimeters Solar radiation intensity (Global Solar Radiation in W/m 2 in the spectral band between 400 and 1100 nm) Temp-hum-sun-wind index The UV sensor is used to measure UV dose in MEDS (Minimum Erythemal Dose) UV index is wireless and includes the console/receiver plus the integrated sensor suite with transmitter and solar panel. The wireless range is up to 1000' line of sight. Typical range through walls under most conditions is 200' to 400' depending upon terrain and the structural features of the building. Extra Weather Monitoring Stations The wireless station allows you to set up extra monitoring stations in other classrooms throughout your school with additional console/receivers. The additional console/receivers for the Wireless station are just like the console included with the weather station. These consoles include all of the features described above. If you are collecting data with a computer, additional Console/Receivers allow you to collect and display data on multiple computers. Connecting Vantage Pro to a Computer The console can be connected to a computer with a software/hardware package called WeatherLink. This package includes WeatherLink software, data logger interface, 8' cable to connect the console to your computer, and instruction booklet. The data logger stores data when your computer is turned off. Data is transferred to your computer when you like every minute or every six months. The WeatherLink software is used to create graphs and generate summaries of your own weather database. You can also upload the weather to your web site and create your own weather web pages. Earth Science with Vernier P6-3

4 Computer P6 Comparison Summary The following chart summarizes the features of the different models. See Appendix E for order codes. (wireless) (cabled) Plus (wireless) Plus (cabled) Barometric pressure X X X X Inside and outside humidity X X X X Inside and outside temperature X X X X Wind speed X X X X Wind direction X X X X Dew point X X X X Rain rate X X X X Rainfall fall totals X X X X Wind chill X X X X Heat index X X X X Moon phase X X X X Local forecast X X X X Highs & lows for most weather variables, with time and/or date, for each of the last 24 hours, days, months, and years. X X X X Evapotranspiration X X Solar radiation intensity X X Temp-hum-sun-wind index X X UV dose in MEDS X X UV index X X Console with AC power X X X X Solar panel for electrical power X X Can be connected to a computer X X X X Single weather station compatible with multiple monitoring stations X X P6-4 Earth Science with Vernier

5 Vernier Lab Safety Instructions Disclaimer THIS IS AN EVALUATION COPY OF THE VERNIER STUDENT LAB. This copy does not include: Safety information Essential instructor background information Directions for preparing solutions Important tips for successfully doing these labs The complete Earth Science with Vernier lab manual includes 33 labs, 6 projects, and essential teacher information. The full lab book is available for purchase at: Vernier Software & Technology S.W. Millikan Way Beaverton, OR Toll Free (888) (503) FAX (503) info@vernier.com