The Coriolis Effect
In this video, Pete uses a turntable and a ball to simulate the effect of the Coriolis force. The ball is deflected on a curved trajectory, across a rotating surface, …
Course: Come Rain or Shine: Understanding the Weather
Pressure and wind
In Step 1.10 you explored why cloud and rain are associated with a depression. But why are they low pressure systems, and how do we get wind? First of all …
Storms in the UK: Recent Mid-Latitude Depressions
Mid-latitude depressions are areas of low pressure located between 30° and 60° latitude, causing unsettled weather and rain. The winter of 2013/14 brought 12 major mid-latitude depressions to the UK. …
Summing up Week 1
Congratulations on reaching the end of Week 1! Hopefully, you feel that you have a better understanding of the weather systems which bring the UK, and other mid-latitude countries most …
Sylvia’s solution
Join Sylvia to find out how you got on this week. In this film Sylvia demonstrates the solutions to the weather map exercises in the previous two Steps, and explains …
Weather forecast game
Now that you have completed Week 1, you may like to turn your hand to trying to predict the weather. Your task is to try and predict 4 elements of …
Faster cold fronts
Please note you may find some of this material challenging. If you find yourself getting stuck don’t worry – help is on hand. Raise your questions in the comments area …
Conveyor belt case studies
In this Step we explore two case studies that provide further insight into conveyor belts. October 28 2013 The animation above, provided by the Met Office, is from the St. …
Conveyor belts
Please note you may find some of this material challenging. If you find yourself getting stuck don’t worry – help is on hand. Raise your questions in the comments area …
Clouds in a bottle
In this video Sylvia demonstrates how changes in pressure result in cloud formation, using a plastic bottle and a bicycle pump. The bike pump increases the pressure, and therefore the …
Clouds in a lab
In this video Pete demonstrates how changes in pressure result in cloud formation, using a demijohn bottle, a bicycle pump and ethanol. Pete pumps air into the sealed jar, increasing …
Clouds and rain
The animation above, provided by the Met Office, shows a progression of waves on the polar front (where the yellow/green tropical air meets the blue polar air) over the course …
Teabag rocket
Many weather systems, including land and sea breeze and hurricanes, are the result of hot air rising. To illustrate, Sylvia shows you a simple practical demonstration using a teabag, matches …
Introduction to depressions
Mid-latitude depressions, extra-tropical storms, cyclones (at mid-latitudes) or low pressure systems are all different names for the same thing. They all refer to the storms which bring the UK most …
Getting Started….
In this Step we’ve provided some basic pointers to help you get to grips with some of the terminology and concepts you will be encountering throughout the course. Some of …