CONCEPT OVERVIEW METEOROLOGY

Lab 1 – HURRICANE TRACKING

Let’s see what we can find in our ESRTs

(Earth Science Reference Tables) related to:

GEOLOGY

METEOROLOGY

ASTRONOMY

Why are graphs a good tool to use when you’re trying to

interpret data from your observations?

( Hint: use at least two specific examples from the lab as

evidence!)

OBJECTIVES

Analyze hurricane data using charts,

graphs, satellite data, and maps

Describe relationships between variables

Interpret your observations to explain the

conditions that lead to hurricanes

Predict future conditions based on patterns

of existing data

Tropical Depression <39 mph wind speed

Tropical Storm 39-73 mph wind speed

Cat. 1 - Hurricane 74-95 mph wind speed

Cat. 2 - Hurricane 96-110 mph wind speed

Cat. 3 - Hurricane 111-130 mph wind speed

Cat. 4 - Hurricane 131-155 mph wind speed

Cat. 5 - Hurricane >155 mph wind speed

*storm categories are based on 1-minute average sustained wind speeds

Check out an animation of the damage winds cause

GMT = Greenwich Mean Time

Time at the 0o longitude

Data shared internationally always reported this way

00:00 24:00 is military time format using a 24-hr clock

Morning (am) times up to 12:00 same

Afternoon (pm) time based on hours past 12:00 example 1pm =12+1= 13:00

example 9:30 pm = 12+9:30 = 21:30

1. Plot the path of the hurricanes over time

2. Graph pressure and wind speed data over time for each storm

3. Use the questions to help you interpretthe conditions associated with hurricanes

1- How do you calculate hurricane

speed?

2- How do you describe the data

relationships and draw generalized

graphs?

Did the change in air pressure cause

the change in wind speed?

Did the change in wind speed cause

the change in air pressure?

Let’s figure it out using

Why is “cause & effect” an important relationship when you analyze data? (Hint: you should be able to relate them to independent and dependent variables)

CAUSE vs. EFFECT

Changing the independent variable

CAUSES the dependent variable to

change

The EFFECT is how the dependent

variable reacts to the independent

variable.

You can only change one thing at a time

to see the real relationship!

So CAUSE is INDEPENDENT variable

EFFECT is DEPENDENT variable

Question Cause (independent)

Effect (dependent)

Question Cause (independent)

Effect (dependent)

Question Cause (independent)

Effect (dependent)

aka…WHEN CAN I DRAW A LINE ON MY GRAPH?

Let’s be safe using lab tools!

OOPS SCENARIO #1

The cuff of Sam’s long-

sleeved shirt caught fire. He

ran to show his teacher.

OOPS SCENARIO #2

Sam was heating a test tube. She

didn’t put on safety goggles since she

was wearing regular glasses. She

slanted the tube away from the work

area, but towards students on the

other side of the lab table.

NOW DO YOUR LAB

TEAM’s “OOPS”

SCENARIO #3