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The ‘Weather Watchers’ in Cumbria keep a weekly record of various aspects of the weather. They use a thermometer to measure the air temperature; an anemometer to measure the wind speed; a weather vane and compass to work out the direction of the wind, and a rain gauge to measure rainfall. They then record all their results on a computer.

Students could be given the various implements for measuring weather, including a weather-vane, rain-gauge, anemometer and thermometer. Before watching the clip they could try to guess what each implement is used for. Following the clip, they could guess again.

Students could work in teams and each go outside and take turns to measure temperature, wind speed, rainfall and wind direction using a compass and weathervane (a rain-gauge could be set up a day or two in advance). Students could reconvene and compare their data. They could also share ideas on how to use the measuring apparatus correctly. For example – check the thermometer in the shade.

As an extended activity, students could track the temperature, amount of rainfall, wind speed and wind direction over the course of a week or month and keep a class weather diary. How do the changes in weather conditions make them feel? Students should incorporate the seasons in their answer. For example – “It’s getting colder because winter is coming and that makes me sleepy”.