Weather and Climate Project

For this project, you will apply the knowledge you have learned in this class to explain a personal experience
you have had with the weather. This project is based around that experience you have had with weather
and a photograph you have taken of that weather. In addition to telling the story of what happened, you
should include the “how” and “why” behind what you experienced. For example, you once almost got in
an accident because of fog. From knowledge gained in this class you should be able to explain how that fog
formed, the behavior of moisture in the atmosphere, condensation, etc. As another example, perhaps you
have a photograph of a thunderstorm, and from what we’ve talked about in class, you can explain the factors
the lead up to having that thunderstorm as well as the thunderstorm itself! The paper will be graded on
both your ability to tell a coherent story AND most importantly your ability to explain the physics behind
the weather. Depth of the meteorology is important!!!
Requirements for paper:
• Must be turned in at class on the due date or before (NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!)
• Paper should be roughly 8 pages, typed, double-spaced, with reasonable sized font (no larger than
12 points and no smaller than 10 points)) and margins (no larger than 1.25 inches and no smaller
than 1 inch), and include page numbers!!
• You must include one picture that you have taken and helps explain the physics of the weather you
are describing, and you must refer to that picture in your paper. If the photograph is not your own,
you need to seek source/photographer permission and prior approval of the instructor by April 30,
2020. Additional photographs and figures are welcome, but are to not replace the text needed to tell
the story and more importantly explain the weather that is taking place. All photos must be
credited/cited!!! Caption all photos, figures, etc. (For photo on cover page – caption on next page)
• The photo does count as one page of the 8 required (regardless of size of the photo)
• If you do not have a photo of your own, FEAR NOT: Use one from the NOAA Photo Library
• The paper should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Include a cover page with a title. (Cover page does not count in 8-page minimum!)
• Paper must have proper references, referencing, and credits (using a style you have learned). Do
NOT reference Wikipedia (you can use it to help, but look where Wikipedia gets its information
from!) Base this effort off of the foundational material from the class and you are welcome to
explore other resources – and be sure to cite sources! Do not overly quote material!!
This project is worth 25% of your final grade.
Paper will be graded on the following:
• Apply knowledge gained in this class…explaining the weather (Important!) (45%)
• Ability to tell an interesting and coherent story (20%)
• Correct grammar and spelling (15%)
• How applicable the figure is (10%)
• Specifications (double spaced, font 10-12 points, margins 1-1.25 inches, page numbers,
references/bibliography/credits included, cover sheet, cited references, captions, etc.) (10%)
In your own words, explain how a weather phenomenon you experienced occurred. For example, maybe
you were on vacation once, and saw the most beautiful rainbow and got a photo of it. You can explain not
only how rainbows form, but also how the rain that caused it formed, types of clouds in your photo, how
the clouds formed, how the rain formed, stability, etc. Please include this level of depth in your paper!!