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Salem Clock Shop - 1085 Broadway Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 - (503) 581-3803 Fax: (503) 581-3331 |
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Learn to use a weather prediction worksheet for making local, short range forecasts. |
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Daily Prediction Worksheet |
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Using a daily weather prediction worksheet is helpful for at least two reasons:
1. In the beginning stages of learning to make forecasts, worksheets help you to organize your data, and to keep all of the different measurements and observations you have made in one place for consideration.
2. Further down the road, you will encounter days when the data is such that it is very difficult to decide what to predict. On those occasions, it is possible to go back through previous daily worksheets until you find a close match and then see what it did previously under similar conditions.
Keep the following things in mind as you begin:
Barometric Pressure: If barometric pressure is falling, this means a low pressure area is approaching. Low pressure can bring rain or snow, or at least an increase in cloudiness. If the pressure is rising, a high pressure area is approaching. Fair weather will ordinarily follow.
Cloud Varieties: Small cumulus clouds means fair weather. Stratus clouds that appear to be getting thicker could bring rain or snow. Cirrus clouds that look like feathers are associated with fair weather. Cumulus clouds that are beginning to tower means that a thunderstorm may occur.
Wind Direction: Wind from the north usually occurs after a cold front has passed, bringing cooler temperatures and fair weather. A south wind will bring warmer temperatures, and a chance that rain or snow may be approaching. Wind out of the east means unsettled weather is approaching. |
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At left is an illustration of the worksheet that we use. We have added an outline of our state on the worksheet because it is useful in trying to figure out where highs & lows and warm & cold fronts might be relative to us, and generally, to help us crystallize our thinking.
We have provided a printable worksheet minus the Oregon outline for your convenience.
Good Luck! |