Meteorology, Weather and Climate
These links have been carefully selected and were considered relevant and suitable for school use at the time of checking. Clicking on them will take you to other websites over which we have no control. If you have any doubts or concerns please check what is at the other end before using them in lessons. If you find any broken, re-directed or dead links please let us know.
Bad
Meteorology
Common mistakes people make when talking and writing about the weather. The
site takes topical and common mis-information examples and attempt to put
things to rights. For example, Apple have advertised their Mac OS 8.5 by advertising
it's ability to find information on the web- alas, they found the wrong information
and didn't read the webpage before they used it in their adverts! Other common
comments like 'raindrops are shaped like teardrops' are also exposed for what
they really are. Teachers and students alike should visit this site.
Climate
This US Geological Survey site acts as a link page to climate data and weather
forecasts around the world.
Climate
Change
A brief history of climate change, its causes and the proof that it has happened
many times in past geological history. Its a clearly written article that
makes a good introduction to the topic and is worth reading if you are researching
global warming, greenhouse effects or climate change in general.
Climate
Change Information Kit
Thirty very informative pages on Climate Change, produced by the United Nation's
Environment Program.Schools may find it useful to download these pages as
they provide a good basis for work on the way climates change.
Climate
Prediction
The Climate Prediction Center is part of Noaa and provides information about
short-term climate change information in the form of 6 to 90 day forecasts.
The site layout can be annoying and difficult to follow. The site uses frames
and the main menu can be found on the left of the screen. For some reason
it makes very annoying beeps from time to time.
Cloud
Catalogue
The PSC Meteorology Program has developed this server to provide explanations
of and access to detailed pictures of some basic cloud forms. The cloud images
are relatively large (640x480) in order to show detailed structure and features.The
purpose of these pages is to provide a general cloud reference and is not
intended to provide an all-inclusive list.
Cloud
Guide
The purpose of this site is to introduce how clouds develop and their different
classifications, so that with a little practice, you too can become reasonably
accurate in identifying them.
Clouds
from Space
A wonderful selection of space shuttle images of clouds together with informative
text. All the images have an accompanying text that explains the picture.
This is a very good cloud site.
Current
European Weather
The most recent images of European weather are available for download. There
are many satellite images available covering visual, infra red, temperature
and water vapour bands. Movies of weather systems are also available, along
with a smaller selection of Middle Eastern satellite images. This site is
one of the very best places to visit for the most recent satellite images.
Current
Storms
The tropical cyclone data presented at this site are intended to convey general
information on current storms. Current storms are listed together with their
track, location, name and type. Archives cover past storms and there are also
gif and postscript map files of storm tracks that may be downloaded.
Dan's
Wild Wild Weather Page
Dan is a meteorologist and has put together these pages to form an interactive
site about wind, pressure, temperature and clouds. His intended audience are
kids aged 6 to 16, their parents and teachers too. There are a lot of graphics
on this site and these can sometimes slow it down. It's another excellent
educational site worth visiting.
EPA
Global Warming
As the title states, it's about global warming. The topic is covered well
with reports, pictures. lists of causes, topical news stories and a 'what
can be done' section. A good research site for students interested in warming,
greenhouse gasses and environmental issues.
Equinox
This is a single page explaining the origins and causes of each equinox, written
well and aimed at older school students and above. Students will need an understanding
of the relationship between the Earth and the Sun and a reasonable understanding
of refraction and similar topics. Roughly age 14 in a UK school as an age
guide.
European
Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
ECMWF is an international organisation supported by 18 European Member States.
principal objectives of the Centre are: it's aims are the development of numerical
methods for medium-range weather forecasting;the preparation, on a regular
basis, of medium-range weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological
services of the Member States; scientific and technical research directed
to the improvement of these forecasts; collection and storage of appropriate
meteorological data. This is a specialist site and not suited to general browsing
by students. If, however you are interested in more advanced information,
you may find it of use.
European
Weather Images
This page contains a range of images which are generally useful if you are
interested in current European weather. Almost all types of publicly available
satellite images can be accessed from here. A really impressive site with
a wealth of satellite imagery for free. If you have any interest in european
weather, you should visit this site.
Global
Warming
A NASA site discussing global warming in a quite detailed way, covering greenhouse
gasses, atmospheric modelling and NASA'a investigations into the Greenhouse
Effect. A good account, suited to students with a basic grounding in geography
and the atmosphere.
How
Clouds Form
The process of air rising, the water vapour in the air cooling to its saturation
point, condensing and becoming visible as a cloud, is basically how clouds
develop. The mechanisms are responsible for this process are explained here.
A very good source for school material and project research.
Intellicast
The current weather and four day forecasts for major centres worldwide provided
for a single page. This is one of several sites on the internet that strive
to provide a good range of forecast facilities in an easy to use format. It
also features 'interactive' weather maps, and a 'Today in Weather History'
section.
Lightning
From the National Geographic, this online map shows how frequently lightning
strikes the lower 48 states of the USA.
Map
of Climate Regions
Twenty three cities across the world are covered, and for each city you can
view an up to date climagraph
MetNet
Europe
This is the home site of the MetLink International Schools Weather Project,
sponsored by the Royal meteorological Society and the UK Met Office. From
the main page you can access assorted data submitted by schools, lists of
schools involved with the project, weather project ideas and weather contacts.
All schools, especially in the UK, that have an interest in the weather should
visit the site and consider becoming part of the project.
Monsoon
A short page that provides a definition of Monsoon with a
brief history of the origin of the word.
National
Weather Service
This is a North American site that covers, in some detail, current official
weather warnings, observations and forecasts for the USA. Data can be found
from National and regional menus, an archive of past data is available and
there is also information about the National Weather Service. A useful research
site.
Online
Climate Data
World climate data, back as far as 1800 for some places, can be seen and downloaded
here. Surface, Upper Air and Marine data are all available using maps, tables,
images and text.
Royal
Meteorological Society
The Royal Meteorological Society is a learned society in the UK that exists
to promote and advance meteorological science. The home page contains an introduction
to the Society, information about its aims, membership, history, journals,
meetings etc. It also carries links to its educational activities and professional
qualifications such as Chartered Meteorologist.
SATPIX
The Meteosat Image Archive at Nottingham University. As they receive satellite
images they become available from this page. Thus all the images are as near
to 'live' as is possible. Each image is displayed as a thumbnail which you
can click on to view the full size picture. If you are seeking up to date
satellite images, this is one of the best sites to visit.
Seasons
Why we have seasons? This site sets out to explain why seasons occur on Earth,
looking at the Earth's rotation, equinoxes, solstices, the earth's orbit and
why solar heating varies across the planet. The information is well presented
and comes from Plymouth State College.
Taiwan
Central Weather Bureau
The latest weather for Taiwan as well as earthquake and climate reports, radar
images, marine information and a monthly analysis of climate systems. In my
experience this site can be very slow to access from the UK, but obviously
access times will depend upon your location, the speed of your internet link
and the general traffic on the internet.
The
Aurora Borealis Page
Information, links and images about the Northern Lights. There are in depth
articles, images, short descriptive texts, Aurora sightings and forecasts,
current research, and links to other Aurora sites. A good research site.
The
Four Seasons
A good explanation of why the earth experiences four seasons each year. There
are also a good accounts of the reasons for the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox
and Winter and Summer Solstice. The text is suited to most age groups.
UK
Met Office
Latest weather images for the UK taken from satellite downloads. You can choose
to view either the most recent visual or infra red image of the UK, with the
coastline superimposed so that it is visible even under cloud cover. The images
are a good size and an excellent resource when looking at weather systems.
US
Climate Page
Using the map, click on the state in which you are interested to view the
precipitation and temperature data for cities within that area. There are
also shaded relief maps of the US states, links to related climate and weather
sites and a handy glossary of terms used in the website.
USA
Today Weather
The USA Today Weather site is a comprehensive resource covering the weather
as it occurs across the United States and the rest of the world. You can choose
from a selection of different forecasts, search newspaper archives or read
articles about weather topics such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Warren
Faidley's Storm Chaser
Warren Faidley, is the world's only full-time, storm chasing photojournalist
- cinematographer. His recent film credits include Twister and The
Avengers. He is a severe weather consultant for radio and television.
He is the CEO of the Weatherstock Agency and is a member of the American Meteorological
Society and the Picture Agency Council of America. This site examines his
storm chasing activities, has a 'severe weather page' designed just for children,
and also presents some excellent severe weather pictures.
Weatheronline
This site allows you to access a huge variety of weather resources including
local and national weather reports, ski reports and factual information about
the weather in general.
Weather
Channel
From here you an search for the weather around a city by entering a location
in the search form, look at recent weather forecasts for the USA and the rest
of the world, examine weather maps or explore the links to other sites.
Weather
Maps
Everything from satellite images to forecasts are offered here. There is a
huge range of data on offer; dozens of maps, images and forecasts from the
one page. In fact, you can access everything from Doppler Radar data to time
lapse satellite images of the Middle East and an aviation forecast for 34,000
feet!
Weathernet
It offers access to thousands of forecasts, images, and what it claims to
be the Net's largest collection of weather links, and the most comprehensive
and up-to-date source of weather data on the Web. You can call up data for
cities by using the search form, keep track of the latest weather events,
get the ski forecast or use their list of weather site links.
Wind
Chill Table from USA Today
An informative site that provides a wind chill chart, links to the formula
for calculating wind chill, and some handy texts covering wind chill related
topics, including the 'Outdoor Action Guide to Hyperthermia And Cold
Weather Injuries.
World
Climate
Eighty five thousand records of world climate data can be accessed for cities
around the world. The page offers a simple search facility; you enter the
name of the place, and it finds the data for you.
Woods
Hole Research Center
Plenty of information about Global Warming including a page of information
you don't see very often.
World
Meteorological Organisation
United Nations agency concerned with all aspects of world climate. The WMO
site explains it's mission, history and aims. This is a rather specialist
site and is about the WMO itself. It is not a site that provided actual weather
data.
Can't find the link you need? Try searching through Google