Observe and Predict the Weather

That looks like a delicious picnic, Uma! But there are clouds in the sky, will it rain? Let's take a closer look at how to observe and predict the weather. Meteorologists are weather experts who watch the weather every day. To create weather forecasts for the next day, they use weather stations or weather satellites. They even use different weather tools, such as a weather balloon! In the past, when there were no weather stations, people depended on observing nature closely. Farmers were able to recognise the behaviours of animals or plants as weather changed. They wrote down their observations in so-called farmers rules. For example: if the swallow flies high, the weather will be dry! That even rhymes! Swallows fly lower to the ground when it is damp, or might be about to rain, because that is where insects, their food, like to be! Plants, like daisies, often close their flowers in rain to protect themselves. Even though farmers do not observe weather like this anymore, it reminds us that we can observe nature for clues. We can do this by looking closely, listening or smelling! Let's watch the clouds in the sky. What can you see here? The sky is cloudless, the weather will be beautiful! What about here? The clouds are denser, so the weather might be about to change! If there are many dark clouds in the sky, like this, there will probably be rain, or even thunderstorms! Look outside, how does the sky look where you are? Let us know in the comments! Clouds are not the only way you can observe weather. To know which way the wind blows, you can wet your finger with water, and hold it in the air! The side where the wind blows will feel colder than any other side. However, you can only approximately sense the temperature without measuring devices. For example, you can use your nose. It might feel cold or warm, depending on the temperature! But, to read the exact temperature, you will need to use a thermometer. You can make your own weather diary with all this data from your observations on clouds, wind direction and temperature. You can also add if it rains, so you can become a weather expert yourself! I wonder if Uma's picnic will still happen? Of course, Uma has found some cover from the rain, and she even has company!