Weather Merit Badge
Eco-Con 2011
Requirements
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.
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.
3. Draw cross sections of a cold front and a warm front showing the location and
movements of the col 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.
4. The 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.
5. Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the atmosphere.
Relate these to specific types of weather.
6. Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Explain the water cycle
to your counselor.
7. Define acid rain. Identify which human activities pollute the atmosphere and the effects
such pollution can have on people.
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 one week using information from this instrument as well as
from other sources such as local radio and television stations or NOAA Weather Radio.
Record the following information 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
weathercaster, private meteorologist, local agricultural extension service officer, 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.
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.
b. Read several articles about acid rain and give a prepared talk of more than five minutes
to your unit about the articles. Before your talk, show your outline to your counselor for
approval.
10. Find out about a weather-related career opportunity that interests you. Discuss with
and explain to your counselor what training and education are required for such a position,
and the responsibilities required of such a position.
Suggested Method of Instruction:
Monday:
Talk to the scouts about meteorology. (req. 1)(pg. 5) Meteorology is
the study of weather. It comes from the Greek word Meteor meaning
“thing in the sky”. Therefore meteorology is the study of all the things of
the sky. Discuss how weather affects farmers, sailors, aviators, and the
construction industry. Have them explain why weather forecasts are
important to these groups.
The have the students tell of at least five dangerous weather
conditions. (req. 2) The conditions could be flash floods, hurricanes,
lightning, tsunamis, or tornadoes. (p. 27-33) Have them explain what to do
in all of these dangerous weather conditions if they are outdoors. See if
they know what the difference is between a severe weather watch and a
warning. (p. 27).
Tuesday:
Talk to scouts and have them describe the low, middle and upper
clouds. (req. 5)(p. 5-8). Relate these different clouds to different types of
weather. (p. 36-41).
Proceed with the water cycle and have them draw diagram and label
its major processes. (req. 6)(p. 18-19)
When precipitation is reached in the water table discussion move
into acid rain discussion. (req. 7) Have them identify which human activities
pollute and cause acid rain, and how acid rain can affect humans.
Wednesday:
Draw cross sections of a cold front and of a warm front, this should
show the location and movements of cold and warm air, the frontal slope,
the location and types of clouds in the front, and where the rain is located.
They should also be able to tell the difference between a warm front and a
cold front. (req. 3)(p. 25-26)
Discuss with the scouts what causes different kinds of weather (rain,
wind, lightening, and hail) (req. 4)(p. 8-11, 22-25). Talk about high and low
pressure systems and how they are related to good and poor weather. (p.
12-17).
Thursday:
Have the scouts create an outline dealing with camping safety
precautions to prepare for severe weather and what to do in the case of
severe weather while camping. Have the scouts give five-minute
presentation on how to deal with severe weather while camping. (req. 9a)
Friday:
If the scouts were not able to complete prerequisites 8a, and if there
is weather professional at camp that would be willing to talk to the scouts
about what type of weather is most dangerous or damaging to their
community, and determine how severe weather flood warning reach their
homes. (req. 8b) Finally talk about weather-related careers. Have them look
in their books, or have them look through packets with descriptions of
some careers. Have each scout present what he found. (req. 10)