Module 11: Meteorology
Produce a Weather Forecast
Now that you have explored the atmosphere and weather, you should be prepared to create a weather forecast for your local area. For this assignment, you will work with your peers to produce an actual video weather forecast. The forecast will be developed collaboratively with a group assigned to you by your instructor.
Collaboration occurs when two or more people work together towards a common goal. In this assignment, your team’s goal is to create and record an actual local weather forecast using data from a variety of researched weather sources. To begin this assignment, your team will need to select the type of forecast you will produce. Your options are to create a one to two minutes video including a current daily forecast, a 5-day forecast, or a 7-day forecast. Your forecast should include the following pieces of information for the time period your group selects:
- Temperature
- Dew point
- Wind speed and direction
- Cloud cover
- Air pressure
- Precipitation
Rather than dividing up the assignment between members of your group, plan on setting up several sessions to discuss the production of your weather forecast. Your forecast should be engaging, original, and clearly-designed so that your coursemates could understand it if you presented it to them, as you may be asked by your instructor to do so.
Each time you meet as a group, it may be helpful to assign the following role types within your group. Depending on the size of your group, one person may assume more than one role, or more than one person may assume one role.
- Meteorologist: Delivers the weather forecast on (and off) camera.
- Researcher: Researches the upcoming weather events and data and compiles information for the weather forecast.
- Script Writer: Takes weather information from researcher and composes a script that the meteorologist will read on the air.
- Camera Operator: Operates the camera during the production
- Props Designer: Designs any props, maps or imagery that will be used in the weather forecast
- Director: This person is in charge of the production and directs the broadcast.
In addition to your video file, you should submit the script of the weather forecast and any maps or imagery used in the forecast. Before you begin, access the Weather Forecast Rubric to make sure that you include all of the items required for full credit. You will need to use resources outside of this course to complete this assignment, so please submit a Works Cited document. If you need assistance, please visit the Developmental Module for information on citing any resources that you use.
Reflection
Creating a weather forecast is not a simple task. An accurate weather forecast involves analyzing the data from several different sources. Sometimes, satellite imagery is the most helpful map to use during weather prediction. Other times it might be more accurate to view Doppler radar. Compose a paragraph that states what data and maps you found the most helpful when creating your own weather forecast.
Once you have completed your script, props, weather forecast video file, reflection, and Works Cited document, please submit your work to the dropbox.
Once you have completed this module, please complete the module test.