General Definition and Importance
How do we know when it is a good time to go to the beach or when it is a good time to wear a cozy jacket? We look at the temperature! Temperature is one commonly used measurement to learn about current and future weather conditions. Important weather measurements include temperature, humidity, wind, rain, and pressure and are important to plan our daily life and to also keep track of changes over time. Meteorologists use a variety of weather instruments to measure atmospheric conditions. These instruments range from simple thermometers to more complex instruments such as radars and satellites. In order to provide the most comprehensive view of atmospheric conditions for a given region as well as globally, a wide range of measurements including direct (e.g. thermometer) and indirect measurements (e.g. satellite measurements), are needed. Without measurements, meteorologists would have a very difficult time providing us with forecasts that help us prepare and keep us safe! Below are several activities that dive deeper into the key concepts that make up the topic of Measurements!
Key Concepts
- Typical Weather Instruments – Matching Game (1st – 3rd)
- Collecting Measurements
- Temperature Measuring Activity
- Temperature Measuring Worksheet
- How to Read Weather Information
- Direct versus Indirect Measurements – Worksheet or Worksheet with Word Bank (7th – 9th)
- Importance of Measurements and Observations
Oklahoma State Standards
We found that understanding measurements is relevant to meeting the 2020 Oklahoma Academic Standards below:
K.PS3.1 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
Assessment/expectation of temperature limited to relative measures such as warmer and cooler.
K.ESS2.1 Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
Temperature limited to whole numbers for pattern and warmer and cooler, i.e. usually warmer in the afternoon, etc.
Examples of qualitative observations could include descriptions of the weather (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, and warm); examples of quantitative observations could include numbers of sunny, windy, and rainy days in a month.
Examples of patterns could include that it is usually cooler in the morning than in the afternoon and the number of sunny days versus cloudy days in different months.
1.ESS1.2 Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight and relative temperature to the time of year.
Emphasis is on relative comparisons of the amount of daylight and temperature in the winter to the amount in the spring, fall, or summer.
Assessment is limited to relative amounts of daylight, not quantifying the hours or time of daylight.
3.ESS2.1 Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.
Examples of data at this grade level could include average temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.
Assessment of graphical display is limited to frequency tables, line plots, pictographs, and single bar graphs. Students are not expected to calculate averages but simply to represent them in graphical form.
6.ESS2.5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
Examples of data can be provided to students (such as weather maps, diagrams, and visualizations) or obtained through laboratory experiments (such as with condensation).