January 20, 2021

Create your own TV weather report

Forecasting Fun

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a weatherperson on TV?

A weatherperson is a meteorologist, or a scientist who studies the atmosphere and weather. Weather is determined by many conditions in the atmosphere around us, including temperature, cloud cover, precipitation and wind.

A weatherperson uses scientific tools to study these conditions, then forecasts future weather events for their area.
They let us know about their forecasts through weather reports each day. A TV weatherperson may report from inside a studio or from outside where the weather conditions are happening.

Now let’s take a closer look at the conditions a weatherperson studies and the tools they use to measure them.

Temperature is how hot or cold it is outside. It is measured in degrees using an instrument called a thermometer. Temperature can be affected by other factors, including how much of the sky is covered with clouds, or the cloud cover at that time. The more clouds there are in the sky, the colder it will usually be. Clouds can also lead to precipitation.

Precipitation is water falling from the sky, whether it’s falling as rain, snow, sleet or hail. A weatherperson measures how much precipitation has fallen in inches using an instrument called a rain gauge or by measuring the amount of snow or ice using a ruler. Precipitation can be detected across long distances using radar.

Another factor that can affect temperature is how much wind, or moving air, there is outside. Meteorologists measure wind speed using an anemometer and wind direction using a wind vane. Wind direction is important because it can move weather conditions from one place to another.

In this activity, we will take a closer look at meteorology, research today’s weather conditions and record our own weather report. This previous Stay at Home Science activity may be helpful if you want to start your own weather station to help you determine the weather.

Materials:

  • Paper
  • Script (template provided below)
  • Access to today’s weather forecast
  • Any props to help you (hats, gloves, umbrella, etc.)
  • Phone, tablet or other device that can record your report

Procedure:

  1. To become a TV weatherperson and make your own weather report, first find out today’s weather conditions and use them to fill in the script below. A weatherperson can write a script to use during their report to make sure they give their viewers all the information they need.
  2. Dress for the occasion! If it’s cold out, bundle up. If it’s rainy, grab your rain gear.
  3. Go outside with an adult and find a good location to record. Reporting from outside lets you show the weather conditions you are discussing. This can be especially exciting during heavy rain or snow, but always remember to use caution during extreme weather.
  4. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, get your camera ready, pull out your script to help you as you report and start recording!

To adjust this activity for younger learners, have them draw a picture of the weather outside and explain to someone else what you would need to wear to be comfortable. Next, have them draw a picture of a snowy day or a rainy one and explain what people need to bring with them to be prepared for the weather.

For older learners, try setting up a green screen studio at home and reporting on the upcoming weather for the week like a weatherperson in a TV studio. Have an adult help you download an app to make it happen. All you need is a blue or green sheet to get started!

Sample Script:

Hello, this is (your name), reporting from (your location) in (city, state). And wow, folks, it is (cold, chilly, warm, hot) out here! As you can see, I’m dressed for this weather.

Right now, the temperature is (temperature). Looking up, I can see that there (is or is not) a heavy cloud cover, which is making it (warmer or colder) outside. We (have or have not) had a lot of (rain, snow or other precipitation) today, as you can see behind me. It (does or doesn’t) feel very windy today. The wind speed is actually (wind speed).

This weather (will or will not) stay the same for the rest of the day. This evening, expect temperatures to (rise or fall) with (a lot, little or no) precipitation.

To prepare for this weather, be sure to grab your (coat, rain jacket or shorts) and your (boots, sandals or sneakers). You also won’t want to forget your (umbrella, scarf or sunglasses)!

Thanks so much for joining me for the weather report. This has been (your name) reporting from (city). Remember, stay cool out there! Back to you at the studio.