Weather observation log
Record daily weather: temperature, sky, wind, rain and a drawing for two weeks.
| Day and date | Temperature (min and max) | Sky (sunny, cloudy, rain) | Wind | Rain (mm) | Notes or a drawing | |
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Using this page
Observing the weather
Observe at the same time each day, such as before school. Record the minimum and maximum temperature if you have a thermometer, and describe the sky using words such as clear, partly cloudy or overcast. Measure rain with a straight-sided container and a ruler, in millimetres, and note the wind with simple words such as calm, breezy or strong.
Looking for patterns
After two weeks, look for patterns. Which days were the warmest? Did the temperature drop before the rain? Compare your records with the forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology, and talk about how close the forecasts were. Draw a graph of the daily maximum temperatures.
Make it a project
Extend the log by drawing cloud types, measuring wind direction with a flag and comparing your readings with a weather station near you. Children can predict the next day's weather and check whether they were right. You can also keep a log across the seasons and compare the results. Younger children can use pictures and symbols instead of words, and older students can enter the numbers into a spreadsheet and draw a chart of the temperature.
Using the log
Print one sheet for each two-week period. Fill in the date at the start of each row and complete it at the same time each day. If you miss a day, leave the row blank rather than guessing, and note why. At the end, add up the rainfall and find the warmest and coolest days. Students can then write two or three sentences describing the pattern, which makes a good short science report. Keep each sheet in a folder to compare seasons.