Graphical interpretation

New Orleans Hurricane USA / Met Office Data

Synopsis

This lesson plan outlines the role played by the Met Office in providing international weather forecasts and severe weather warnings, specifically in this case of Hurricane Katrina off the coast of New Orleans. Students consider images of the hurricane and the extensive damage wreaked, and read a storm warning issued by the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) US equivalent of the Met Office) before it hit the coast of Louisiana.

With the context set in this way, students then extrapolate various weather patterns and the impact of severe weather, taking into account direct and inverse relationships between sea water temperature, wind speed, sea level rises and land damage. The necessity of an early warning system is demonstrated through consideration of the direct relationship between hurricane alerts and the number of people that can be evacuated. A variety of exercises enable students to apply their knowledge, from graphical interpretation, to drawing their own graphs, to problem solving.

This lesson provides additional opportunities to draw comparison with the lack of an early warning system in Asia on Boxing Day 2003 and invites discussion of the international role of the MOD. Students might also consider (via debate) the necessity of accurate meteorological forecasts for defence purposes (i.e. efficiencies, avoid civil unrest, avoid damage to resources).

MOD Topic

New Orleans Hurricane USA / Met Office Data

Curriculum Checklist

1.1a; 1.2b, c; 1.3b, c, d; 1.4a, b; 2.1a, b, c, d; 2.2a, b, c, d, e, k; 2.3b, d; 2.4b, e; 3.3a, b, d; 4d, e.

Curriculum Links

• Geography
• Citizenship
• PSHE / PSD

Prior Knowledge

Basic graphical interpretation.
Multi-stage problem solving.

Learning Outcomes

Lower ability students will:

• Analyse data in both table and graph format and be able to identify some basic data relationships and patterns.
• Be able to construct accurate graphs using data presented in table formats.
• Understand that graphical interpretation is used by the Met Office for weather forecasting and to predict climate change.
• Be aware that the Met Office was created to provide UK Armed Forces with worldwide information on the weather.

Average ability students will:

• Analyse data in both table and graph format and be able to identify data relationships and patterns.
• Be able to construct accurate graphs using data presented in a variety of formats.
• Understand that graphical interpretation is used by the Met Office for weather forecasting and to predict climate change.
• Use graphical interpretation and problem thinking skills to make weather forecasts and predictions in everyday contexts.
• Be aware that the Met Office was created to provide UK Armed Forces with worldwide information on the weather.

Higher ability students will:

• Confidently analyse data in both table and graph format and be able to identify complex data relationships and patterns.
• Be able to construct accurate graphs using data presented in a variety of formats.
• Understand that graphical interpretation is used by the Met Office for weather forecasting and to predict climate change.
• Use graphical interpretation and problem thinking skills to make weather forecasts and predictions in everyday contexts.
• Be aware that the Met Office was created to provide UK Armed Forces with worldwide information on the weather.

Lesson code

M1