The objective of this lab is to introduce you to the G109 online resources. Complete the tasks below, then explore! Use the links within the question to do this.
1. What are the current weather conditions (e.g. temperature, rh, wind) in Bloomington? What is the forecast for the next two days?
2. What is Universal Time / Greenwich Mean Time (UTC, GMT or Z) which is used on NWS weather reports? How do you convert between local time (in Indiana) and UTC? (Alternative site if the other is busy)
3. Station models are routinely used to display weather data on maps. These models follow an internationally defined pattern. In the following Station model, what do each of the letters represent?
To determine this, go back to the G109 Home Page. In the bottom segment (Current Weather Conditions), click the Current Conditions link, and then the WXP Symbol Legend link. Or use the copy of the WXP symbol legend in Lab 1 of your lab manual.
Also, on the WXP symbol legend, what color is each of the types of fronts?
4. Currently, where are tropical storms/hurricanes occurring?
5. Much is being written about the current La Nina and its effects on the weather in the Midwest. Briefly (one or two sentences) describe what La Nina is, and then interpret what implications La Nina might have for weather here in the Midwest.
6. Using the climatic atlas, select either monthly long term mean or seasonal long term mean, then select one climatic variable (air temperature, humidity, etc) and generate a map. Select the fill shade option to see the patterns more clearly. Write down the variable (with units) that you mapped and what month or season was plotted, and describe the spatial pattern of the map.
7. For any city in the US, use the NOAA US climate home page to generate graphs of the historical climate. Select either the fast (or slow) lane traffic, then click on the state and then the city of interest. What city did you examine? What was the minimum and maximum temperature ever recorded? How long has data been collected at that station?
8. Current weather conditions: For each of these four types of data, read the Explanation and write down:
a) what is shown on each type of image (what weather phenomena can you see? what do the different colors show?)
b) if the data is available 24 h a day.
Visible satellite Imagery
Infra-Red satellite Imagery
c) Go to each of the following links to see current conditions.
Current visible satellite image
Current infrared satellite image
Current composite radar summary
Current composite surface weather map
9. Display an image
of the Earth, which shows the areas that are in
daylight /darkness This may take a little while - be patient! Where in the
world is it dusk? Where is the sun rising? Is it day, night, or dusk at the
north or south pole? Make certain you record the time - Bloomington Local and
Z/GMT/UTC
10. Go back to the main G109 home page and look at the following a) the Office hours for this course b) the introduction section for the course c) Study tips including tutorial times