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Forecasting Temperatures
scaffolding activity teacher's guide

Weather Scenario Cloud
Cover
Winds Temperature
Advection
Snow
Cover
Your Thoughts
Example Scenario:
Night time forecast, cloud cover, no winds, no snow cover.
HLNoneNone No winds will prevent warm air from mixing downward but cloud cover will keep temps warm.
Scenario 1:
Day time forecast, cloudy skies with calm winds, no significant temperature advection and no snow cover.
L None None None The clouds should keep the temperatures down.
Scenario 2:
Night time forecast, snow cover, clear skies, no wind.
L L None L Clear skies, calm winds and snow cover all contribute to maximum radiational cooling of the earth's surface. It is during such conditions that the coldest temperatures of the year are typically attained.
Scenario 3:
Night time forecast, cloudy skies, no snow cover, windy and warm advection.
H H H None Clouds will keep heat from escaping, winds will allow warmer air to mix down towards the surface, and warm advection will bring an inflow of warmer air. All these factors contribute to warmer temperatures.
Scenario 4:
Day time forecast, cloudy skies, windy, cold advection and no snow cover.
L L L None Cloudy skies and windy conditions will help to keep temperatures lower, especially when the winds are advecting in colder air (cold advection). All three factors contribute to lower temperatures.



weather symbols
Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

forecasting precip