WOW factor

The outlook for learning is looking good thanks to the launch of a web-based resource for weather observers in the UK's schools.

Produced by the Met Office in partnership with the Royal Meteorological Society, and supported by the DfE, the Weather Observations Website or WOW is designed to encourage and educate children about the weather.

Online social networking makes it simple for any school to get involved and share their weather observations. Children can submit ad-hoc information about the conditions where they are (this being the UK in summer, most probably “it’s raining here”), uploading photos of observed weather conditions or entering readings from monitoring equipment. Classes taking part can learn about different types of weather at their school and see how temperatures, visibility and cloud amounts change during the day and day-to-day.

Speaking about the new website, Jane Varley, Education Manager at the Met. Office, said, “This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in weather watching to get involved through their school. Weather can change dramatically from place to place at times, and this website will provide an easy way to share observations and help highlight the localised nature of the weather across the UK.”

For more details about getting involved, direct your browser to wow.metoffice.gov.uk