Science Fair Project: Do Clouds Tell Us What Weather Is Coming?
Need a science fair project to impress your teachers and amaze your friends—and maybe even win a ribbon? Here is one of our favorites, which answers the question: How do clouds predict upcoming weather? There are several types of clouds that appear due to approaching and current weather conditions—cirrus clouds are high and feathery, and indicate good weather. Other types of clouds, such as stratus and cumulus, can be indicators of rain or snow. Here is how you can predict the weather by watching clouds.
If you’re interested in learning how to predict weather by watching the clouds, you’ll need to do some research first. Check out some websites or grab a book from your school library for more information.
To begin the experiment, record your starting date, time, and the temperature on a chart in a journal. Begin observing the clouds twice a day, writing down your observations each time. Try to observe them at about the same times each day, and note specific information such as cloud color, type, approximate wind speed and direction, and so forth.
If you check out the sky at night, record anything interesting such as a ring round the moon. Write down as much about the weather as you can, along with your observations of the sky.
Once you have collected several weeks’ worth of data and observations about the clouds you’ve seen, objectively interpret your results. Were there any significant patterns related to cloud type and weather that developed?
With the knowledge you’ve gained about clouds and weather, see if you can predict the day’s weather without seeing it first on television or reading about it in the newspaper! For more fun science fair projects, check out our Quick Guides Science Fair Project: Which Foods Do Molds Love Best? and Science Fair Project: Can a Visible Light Outshine Infrared Radiation?. Happy experimenting!
From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Science Fair Projects by Nancy K. O’Leary and Susan Shelly
