REAL TIME DATA PROJECT #2
Congratulations!  You have just been hired by the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center as a storm expert.  Due to the growing number of human tragedies across the United States as a result of severe weather, special assignments are given to "on call" experts to track individual storms and issue necessary warnings.  It seems meteorologists have become overwhelmed, and the government has decided that every potentially dangerous storm system will be assigned a storm expert.  You must use your skills and knowledge about meteorology and predict, using real time data, where a storm system will be 24 hours from present.  Once you have decided on the city/town with the greatest impending danger, you must develop a safety plan that will be aired on local television.

This is an exercise in WEATHER PREDICTION.  It is not an exact science.  Take the challenge and make your best effort to be a weather expert.
Follow all instructions carefully and record all necessary facts and data in your weather journal.


  
< This Icon indicates journal entry required.
< This Icon indicates individual U.S. map required.

 

Where Is The Storm Now ???

Real Time Radar Loop Map

    1. Click on the  Real Time Radar Loop Map of the United States.

    2. Notice that this map moves as opposed to the radar map you viewed in Real Time Data Project #1.  Record the beginning and the ending time  of this loop. Guess how fast you think this storm system is moving. Take your best shot in miles per hour.
    3. Calculate the number of hours that it takes to complete this loop. Record this number in your weather journal.

    4. Choose an area with heavy precipitation or severe weather and click on that area of the map for an enlarged view.

    5. Point to the location of the beginning of the storm front for the first hour indicated on the radar loop.
    Important:  When picking out a state and or city, make sure that you locate one that is in the beginning of the storm.  This will ensure that your predictions will be more accurate.
    Click Here to view an example of a radar map showing a storm front.

    6. Watch how the storm front moves during the loop time.  You want to find the distance the storm has traveled during the loop time.  In order to do this you must record the state and city where the storm front is at the end of the loop.  Use the same process as Step #5.
    7. Record in your journal the name of city #1 and city #2.


 

How Far Did It Go???

Distance Chart

1. Click on the distance chart to assist you in calculating how far the storm front traveled on our radar loop map from city #1 to city #2.  Be sure to find the correct abbreviation for your selected state(s).
2. Record in your journal the distance calculated between your selected cities.

 

How Fast Did It Go???

1. Using the information you have collected, write in your journal and calculate in miles per hour (mph) the
    speed    of the storm.
2. Write in  your journal how this answer compares to  your answer from your earlier guess from "Where is the Storm Now?".

 

Where Will the Storm Go???

Real Time Wind Data

Forecasting weather is a complicated science.  You are going to make your prediction by estimating according to wind data.  Since most weather patterns follow wind patterns,  tracking the wind pattern at a certain elevation should allow you to make the best determination in developing a storm track.

1. Click on the wind pattern real time data available at 18,000 meters.

2. Note the area on this map where you identified the storm front to track.

3. Note the wind barbs on the map indicating wind direction.   Record wind direction.
4. On your individual US map draw a line to represent the wind direction that extends from your identified storm area.
Note:  This line will probably not be a straight line.  Extend the line as far as possible.
 


 

Where Will the Storm Be in 24 Hours???

1. Refer Back to "How Far Did It Go?" to obtain the speed of the storm in miles per hour.

2. Using this information and your distance formula, calculate how many miles the storm will travel in 24 hours.
    Record this distance in your journal.
3. Note on your US map the location of city #2 you've recorded from "Where Is It?".
4. Using your map scale in miles, travel along your wind pattern line on your individual map the recorded 24 hour
    distance from city#2.
5. Record in your journal the closest city or town in that area.

THIS IS THE CITY/TOWN WHERE YOU WILL ISSUE YOUR SEVERE WEATHER WARNING......

 

Does Your Forecast Agree with the Professionals?

Thunderstorm Probability

1. Click on the Thunderstorm Probability Real Time Data and choose the map that best fits the thunderstorm forecast for 24 hours from present.
2. Record the risk that is noted for your predicted storm region.  Do you agree?
Proceed to the Red Cross Site or the NOAA Site  to develop a safety plan.
 
 
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