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Predict the Weather!

Meteorology· Nature Study· Seasons

22 Jul

We all need to know what the weather will be like from one day to the next to plan ahead. If we’re planning an outdoor trip, we will need to know how to dress, and what to pack. Will we need an umbrella and gumboots or a hat and flip-flops?

When planning a picnic, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe it’s delicious pies and ice cream but usually, we want to know what the weather will be like on our picnic day. Will it be sunny and fine or cold and wet? Knowing what the weather forecast is will help us to plan to have the best time whether we pack ice cream or hot chocolate.

Have you watched the weather forecast on television or perhaps looked at the weather predictions on a weather app? Have you wondered how all this information was gathered and how future weather is predicted? Well, a lot of science goes into the investigation of the earth’s atmosphere known as meteorology.

Meteorologists are scientists who study the earth’s atmosphere to predict what the weather will be like days ahead. There are so many variables to consider though and sometimes things change unexpectedly. For this reason, these predictions aren’t always 100% accurate. At best, they’re a good guess.

Today, technology is used to measure and predict the weather, but have you wondered how the weather was forecast centuries ago? Here are some old-fashioned weather predictions:

  • If there is dew on the grass in the morning, it might not rain that day.
  • If smoke rises straight into the air, it’ll be a fine day. If the smoke curls, then a low-pressure system is on its way.
  • When birds fly low to the ground, the air is heavy and rain is on the way.
  • When birds fly high in the sky, the air is calm and the weather will be fine.
  • If cows huddle together in a corner, a storm may be on the way.
  • Sometimes, low-pressure systems can be felt in injured joints when they start to ache.

And just for fun, here are some weather predicting rhymes to experiment with:

  • “Red sky at night; sailor’s delight.”
  • “Red sky in the morning; sailors take warning.”
  • “Halo around the moon means rain is coming soon.
  • “Dew before midnight; the next day will be bright.”
  • “If it rains before seven, it will clear by eleven.”
  • “If the cat washes her face over her ear, the weather is sure to be fine and clear.”

First Nation People have been predicting the weather for centuries by reading the signs of the country and observing flora and fauna. Watch THIS video to learn more. Visit the Indigenous Weather Knowledge website to explore seasonal calendars and weather indicators for an Indigenous community in your area.

Now, let’s get to the science of weather forecasting by researching weather instruments used to gather atmospheric information.

Table of Contents

  • Meteorological Technology
  • Weather Forecasting Resources and Activities
    • How are weather forecasts made?
    • How do we know when it will rain?
    • Weather Forecasting by Gail Gibbons.
    • Sing along while learning about weather forecasting tools.
    • Now, Predict the Weather with a Pinecone Weather Station!
  • Create Your Own Instruments to Predict Weather
    • Homemade Barometer
    • Homemade Thermometer
    • Homemade Wind Vane
    • Homemade Rain Gauge
    • Homemade Anemometer
    • Predict the Weather by Reading the Clouds
    • Record data you collected on this notebook page to predict tomorrow’s weather.
  • You may be interested in:

Meteorological Technology

  • A barometer is an instrument that measures the pressure of the air. If the air pressure rises, the day will be fine, but if the pressure falls, the day may be stormy.
  • A thermometer measures the temperature of the air.
  • A windsock will show which direction the wind is blowing.
  • A Rain Gauge is a tool used to measure rainfall.
  • Anemometer measures wind speed.
  • Doppler Radar is an electronic instrument used to track precipitation; where it falls, how much falls, and the direction it falls. It can predict severe weather systems.
  • Satellites track and collect information on weather patterns high in the atmosphere.
  • Computers collect all the data from these various instruments for meteorologists who use it to plot weather maps for the week ahead. Explore weather maps with Jo who has created weather symbol cards to help us read these maps. Jo has gathered further forecasting and mapping activities HERE.

Let’s investigate weather forecasting and predictions with the following resources, activities, and experiments.

Weather Forecasting Resources and Activities

How are weather forecasts made?
How do we know when it will rain?
Weather Forecasting by Gail Gibbons.
Sing along while learning about weather forecasting tools.
Now, Predict the Weather with a Pinecone Weather Station!

Create Your Own Instruments to Predict Weather

Homemade Barometer
Homemade Thermometer
Homemade Wind Vane
Homemade Rain Gauge
Homemade Anemometer
Predict the Weather by Reading the Clouds
Record data you collected on this notebook page to predict tomorrow’s weather.
Weather-TrackerDownload

You may be interested in:

Weather Maps
Weather
Backyard Edition | Winter/Spring | Volume 7
Australian Nature Study | Winter/Spring | Volume 3

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About Marie

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children have graduated. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/
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