"Snowflake"
by
Patricia Rasmussen
WEATHER
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Merit Badge

"Some people are weather wise, some are otherwise." 
                                                               - Ben Franklin

Mr. R.

 
Mr. R's Weather Passport© (20-page, 4"x5" pocket guide) is available in PDF format to print out for non-profit use (requires free Adobe Acrobat© Reader).  Passports are copyrighted, but scouts and troops may use them free of charge if they create only one per scout.  BSA councils must first contact Mr. R. before creating large quantities for scout camps, merit badge fairs, etc. (a small nominal fee will be charged).

 
Requirement #1:  Define meteorology. Explain how the weather affects farmers, sailors, aviators, and the outdoors construction industry. Tell why weather forecasts are important to each of these groups. 

 
Requirement #2:  Name five dangerous weather related conditions. Give the safety rules for each when outdoors and explain the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning. Discuss the safety rules with your family. 

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Requirement #3:  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 types of clouds associated with the front, and the location of rain. Tell the differences between a cold front and a warm front.

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Requirement #4: Tell what causes wind, why it rains, and how lightning and hail are formed. Explain the difference between high and low pressure systems in the atmosphere and tell which is related to good and poor weather.
FACT:  During one storm in New York City, the Empire State building was struck by lightning 12 times in 20 minutes! 

 
Requirement #5:  Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the atmosphere. Relate these to specific types of weather.
John Day is known around the world as the . 
"The Book of Clouds," is a 208 page book full of John Day's amazing cloud photos.  It has a great cloud chart and understandable text.  The hard bound book is available through Barnes & Noble.  The following two links are from his web site:

 
Requirement #6:  Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Explain the water cycle to your counselor.

 
Requirement #7:  Define acid rain. Identify which human activities pollute the atmosphere as well as the effects such pollution can have on people.

 
Requirement #8: Do ONE of the following:
a:  Make one of the following instruments: wind vane, anemometer, rain gauge, hygrometer. Keep a daily weather log for 1 week using information from this instrument as well as from other sources such as local radio and television stations or NOAA Weather Radio. The following information should be recorded at the same time every day: wind direction and speed, temperature, precipitation, and types of clouds. Be sure to make a note of any morning dew or frost. In the log, also list the weather forecasts from radio or television at the same time each day and show how the weather really turned out. 
b:  Visit a National Weather Service office or talk with a local radio or television weather caster, private meteorologist, local agricultural Extension service office, or university meteorology instructor. Find out what type of weather is most dangerous or damaging to your community. Determine how severe weather and flood warnings reach the homes in your community. 
 

 
Requirement #9: Do ONE of the following:
a:  Give a talk of more than five minutes to your unit explaining the camping safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes. Before your talk, show your outline to your counselor for approval. 
  • (See requirement #2 above)  Dangerous weather conditions online sites
b:  Read several articles about acid rain and give a prepared talk of more than five minutes about the articles to your unit. Before your talk, show your outline to your counselor for approval. 
  • (See requirement #7 above)  Acid rain online sites
 

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Web page updated December 2003
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