Comparing Weather Information Sources

Name:

Date:

Part 1: Identify Weather Information

Weather information can come from the internet, television, newspapers and radio. Different sources provide different types of information and may present that information in different ways. Answer each question in a complete paragraph using accurate scientific vocabulary.

1. Explain why an internet weather website is generally more suitable than a printed newspaper or radio announcement for examining a moving rain radar. Refer to the features of the source and the type of evidence a rain radar provides.

2. Explain the difference between a multi-day forecast and an hourly observation. Describe how each type of information could be used when making a weather-related decision.

3. A person is planning a boat trip. Explain which weather information they should examine before leaving and why it is important. In your response, discuss wind conditions, severe weather warnings and any other relevant evidence.

4. Define an hourly observation and explain how it differs from a prediction. Include an example of a question that could be answered using hourly observations but not answered reliably using a prediction alone.

Part 2: Compare Two Sources

Source A: Internet weather website — provides a 48-hour site forecast, hourly temperatures, wind speed and direction, rain forecasts, rain radar, satellite imagery, and severe weather watches and warnings.

Source B: Television weather report — provides a short spoken forecast, a weather map, expected temperatures, and information about severe weather.

Use the descriptions of Sources A and B as evidence in your responses. Write in complete paragraphs and explain your reasoning rather than simply naming features.

5. Compare the range and detail of weather information available from Source A with the information clearly listed for Source B. Identify at least two important differences and explain how those differences could affect a person’s ability to make a weather-related decision.

6. Describe one type of weather information provided by both sources. Explain how each source might present that information and discuss one advantage or limitation of receiving it in that form.

7. A resident wants to determine whether rain is moving towards their town. Evaluate which source would provide stronger evidence for this purpose. Refer to the specific weather information available and justify your conclusion.

Part 3: Choose the Best Source

8. You are organising an outdoor sports day for the next five days. Compare the usefulness of an internet weather website and a television weather report for this task. Reach a justified conclusion about which source you would use first, and explain what information you would monitor as the event approaches.

9. A severe weather warning has just been issued. Describe and justify two actions you could take to obtain reliable, up-to-date information. Explain how you would judge whether the information is current, relevant to your location and trustworthy.

10. Write a well-developed paragraph explaining why it is useful to compare information from two different weather sources. Discuss how comparison can improve confidence in a decision, reveal differences in detail or timing, and help identify information that requires further checking.