Weather Merit Weather Merit BadgeBadge

March 22, 2002March 22, 2002

RequirementsRequirements1.1. Define meteorology. Explain how the weather affects farmers, sailors, Define meteorology. Explain how the weather affects farmers, sailors,

aviators, and the outdoors construction industry. Tell why weather aviators, and the outdoors construction industry. Tell why weather forecasts are important to each of these groups. forecasts are important to each of these groups.

2.2. Name five dangerous weather-related conditions. Give the safety rules Name five dangerous weather-related conditions. Give the safety rules for each when outdoors and explain the difference between a severe for each when outdoors and explain the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning. Discuss the safety rules with your family. weather watch and a warning. Discuss the safety rules with your family.

3.3. Draw cross sections of a cold front and a warm front showing the location Draw cross sections of a cold front and a warm front showing the location and movements of the cold and warm air, the frontal slope, the location and movements of the cold and warm air, the frontal slope, the location and types of clouds associated with the front, and the location of rain. and types of clouds associated with the front, and the location of rain. Tell the differences between a cold front and a warm front. Tell the differences between a cold front and a warm front.

4.4. Tell what causes wind, why it rains, and how lightning and hail are Tell what causes wind, why it rains, and how lightning and hail are formed. Explain the difference between high and low pressure systems in formed. Explain the difference between high and low pressure systems in the atmosphere and tell which is related to good and poor weather.the atmosphere and tell which is related to good and poor weather.

Continued…Continued…

RequirementsRequirements5.5. Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the

atmosphere. Relate these to specific types of weather. atmosphere. Relate these to specific types of weather.

6.6. Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Explain the water cycle to your counselor. Explain the water cycle to your counselor.

7.7. Define acid rain. Identify which human activities pollute the atmosphere Define acid rain. Identify which human activities pollute the atmosphere as well as the effects such pollution can have on people. as well as the effects such pollution can have on people.

8.8. Do ONE of the following: Do ONE of the following:

b. Visit a National Weather Service office or talk with a local radio or b. Visit a National Weather Service office or talk with a local radio or television weathercaster, private meteorologist, local television weathercaster, private meteorologist, local agricultural Extension service office, or agricultural Extension service office, or university meteorology university meteorology instructorinstructor. Find out what type of weather is most dangerous or . Find out what type of weather is most dangerous or damaging to your community. Determine how severe weather damaging to your community. Determine how severe weather and flood warnings reach the homes in your community. and flood warnings reach the homes in your community.

9.9. Do ONE of the following: Do ONE of the following:

a.a. Give a talk of more than five minutes to your unit explaining the Give a talk of more than five minutes to your unit explaining the camping safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and camping safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes. Before your talk, show your outline to your counselor tornadoes. Before your talk, show your outline to your counselor for approval.for approval.

1.1. What is Meteorology?What is Meteorology?

Meteor = Greek for “thing in the Meteor = Greek for “thing in the sky”sky”

-ology = Greek suffix for “study of”-ology = Greek suffix for “study of” Meteorolgy is Meteorolgy is

““study of things in the sky”study of things in the sky” Today meteorology means the study Today meteorology means the study

of the weather. What causes rain, of the weather. What causes rain, snow, cold days, hot dry days, etc?snow, cold days, hot dry days, etc?

Who is Interested in the Who is Interested in the Weather and Why?Weather and Why?

Aviators: Is it safe to fly, winds, freezing?Aviators: Is it safe to fly, winds, freezing? Farmers: Should I plant, irrigate, harvest?Farmers: Should I plant, irrigate, harvest? Sailors: Should I keep my ship in the harbor?Sailors: Should I keep my ship in the harbor? Construction Industry: Should I replace the Construction Industry: Should I replace the

roof? Pour concrete? Paint?roof? Pour concrete? Paint? Travelers: Will the roads be icy or wet? Is it Travelers: Will the roads be icy or wet? Is it

worth going to Florida?worth going to Florida? Party Planners: Should we plan an outside Party Planners: Should we plan an outside

barbeque?barbeque? Others ?Others ?

2. Dangerous Weather 2. Dangerous Weather ConditionsConditions

Winter Storms Winter Storms (Snow, Freezing Rain, Sleet) (Snow, Freezing Rain, Sleet)

Thunder StormsThunder Storms FloodsFloods TornadoesTornadoes HurricanesHurricanes Heat WavesHeat Waves

3.3. Cold FrontCold Front

Cold Air replaces Warm Air (causing warm air Cold Air replaces Warm Air (causing warm air to rise)to rise)

If Warm Air is Humid Precipitation OccursIf Warm Air is Humid Precipitation Occurs Generally Brief but Severe StormsGenerally Brief but Severe Storms Clouds: Cumulonimbus (Thunderstorm)Clouds: Cumulonimbus (Thunderstorm)

                       

3. Warm Fronts3. Warm Fronts

Warm Air Replaces Cold AirWarm Air Replaces Cold Air If Warm air is Humid Precipitation OccursIf Warm air is Humid Precipitation Occurs Typically Long (days) of Inclement WeatherTypically Long (days) of Inclement Weather Clouds: Cirrus, StratanimbusClouds: Cirrus, Stratanimbus

                                                                                                          

3. Stationary Fronts3. Stationary Fronts

Boundary Remains Boundary Remains StationaryStationary

Days (or Weeks) of Cloudy, Days (or Weeks) of Cloudy, Wet WeatherWet Weather

3. Occluded Fronts3. Occluded Fronts

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Current Frontal Current Frontal BoundariesBoundaries

4.4. Low Pressure SystemLow Pressure SystemWhen forecasters say a When forecasters say a

low pressure area or low pressure area or storm is moving storm is moving toward your region, toward your region, cloudy weather and cloudy weather and precipitation result precipitation result as the low pressure as the low pressure area approaches. area approaches. Low pressure Low pressure systems have systems have different intensities different intensities with some with some producing a gentle producing a gentle rain while others rain while others produce hurricane produce hurricane force winds and a force winds and a massive deluge. massive deluge.

4. High Pressure System4. High Pressure SystemOften, you hear a weather Often, you hear a weather

forecaster say that an forecaster say that an area of high pressure will area of high pressure will dominate the weather. dominate the weather. This usually means your This usually means your region has several partly region has several partly to mostly sunny days in to mostly sunny days in store with little or no store with little or no precipitation. Air tends to precipitation. Air tends to sink near high-pressure sink near high-pressure centers, which inhibits centers, which inhibits precipitation and cloud precipitation and cloud formation. This is why formation. This is why high-pressure systems high-pressure systems tend to bring bright, tend to bring bright, sunny days with calm sunny days with calm weather. weather.

Current Pressure SystemsCurrent Pressure Systems

4.4. WindWind

Warm Air Warm Air RisesRises

Cool Air Cool Air Moves to Moves to

Fill Fill Vacuum Vacuum

4. Wind4. Wind

Pressure Differences Push air from High Pressure Differences Push air from High Pressure to LowPressure to Low

Coriolis Force: Rotation of Earth causes Coriolis Force: Rotation of Earth causes winds to move “around” High and Low winds to move “around” High and Low Pressure zonesPressure zones

5.5. CloudsCloudsCloud Type Appearance Altitude

Cumulonimbus

ThunderheadsNear ground to above 50,000 feet

CirrostratusThin, wispy, above thunderheads

Above 18,000 feet

CirrusThin, often with "mare's tail"

Above 18,000 feet

Cirrocumulus Small puffy clouds Above 18,000 feet

AltostratusThin, uniform, sometimes with "wide wale corduroy" appearance

6,000 - 20,000 feet

AltocumulusMedium-sized puffy clouds

6,000 - 20,000 feet

Stratocumulus

Broad and flat on the bottom, puffy on top

Below 6,000 feet

Cumulus Puffy clouds Below 6,000 feet

StratusUniform, thick to thin layered clouds

Below 6,000 feet

5.5. Clouds (High)Clouds (High)

Cirrocumulus

Cirrostratus

Cirrus

5. Clouds (Med)5. Clouds (Med)

AltocumulusAltocumulusAltostratus

5. Clouds (Low)5. Clouds (Low)

Cumulus

FogStratocumulus

Stratus

5. Clouds (Rain)5. Clouds (Rain)

Cumulonimbus

Nimbostratus

6. Water Cycle6. Water Cycle

7.7. Acid RainAcid Rain Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is

polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment. Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen

oxide (NOX). When these substances

are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by prevailing winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs.

8.8. Most Dangerous Most Dangerous Weather to Saint Weather to Saint JosephJoseph

Freezing RainFreezing Rain Affects Entire PopulationAffects Entire Population Severs Power LinesSevers Power Lines Makes Travel HazardousMakes Travel Hazardous Destroys TreesDestroys Trees

9. 5 Minute Talks9. 5 Minute Talks

To Finish the Merit Badge you need To Finish the Merit Badge you need to write and present a 5 minute to write and present a 5 minute presentation to your troop about presentation to your troop about camping safety rules in the event camping safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and of lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes.tornadoes.