Weather Merit Badge
Weather
Merit Badge
Scouting America Merit Badge Hub
Scouting America
Merit Badge Hub
Weather Merit Badge Overview
Meteorology is the study of Earth’s atmosphere and its weather and the ways in which temperature, wind, and moisture act together in the environment. In addition to learning how everyday weather is predicted, Scouts can learn about extreme weather such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, and how to stay safe.
Weather Merit Badge Requirements
The previous version of the Merit Badge requirements can be found in Scoutbook
The requirements will be fed dynamically using the scout book integration
NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
1.
Define meteorology. Explain what weather is and what climate is. Discuss how the weather affects farmers, sailors, aviators, and the outdoor construction industry. Tell why weather forecasts are important to each of these groups.
Resources: What is Meteorology? (video)
Weather vs Climate (video)
Resources: What is Meteorology? (video)
Weather vs Climate (video)
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.
Resources: Severe Weather Safety (video)
Know the Difference Between a Watch and a Warning (video)
Winter's Hidden Hazard - Cold Weather Health & Safety (video)
Hurricane Preparation and Safety (video)
Resources: Severe Weather Safety (video)
Know the Difference Between a Watch and a Warning (video)
Winter's Hidden Hazard - Cold Weather Health & Safety (video)
Hurricane Preparation and Safety (video)
3.
Explain the difference between high and low pressure systems in the atmosphere. Tell which is related to good and to poor weather. Draw cross sections of a cold front and a warm front , showing the location and movements of the cold and warm air, the frontal slope, the location and types of clouds associated with each type of front, and the location of precipitation.
Resources: What Are Weather Fronts? Warm Front, Cold Front? (video)
Weather 101: High Pressure vs. Low Pressure (video)
Resources: What Are Weather Fronts? Warm Front, Cold Front? (video)
Weather 101: High Pressure vs. Low Pressure (video)
4.
Tell what causes wind, why it rains, and how lightning and hail are formed.
Resources: What Creates Weather? (video)
What Causes Lightning? (video)
What is Hail? (video)
Resources: What Creates Weather? (video)
What Causes Lightning? (video)
What is Hail? (video)
5.
Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the atmosphere. Relate these to specific types of weather.
Resource: What Are the Different Types of Clouds? (video)
Resource: What Are the Different Types of Clouds? (video)
6.
Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Explain the water cycle to your counselor.
Resources: Easy Water Cycle Drawing (video)
How Does Rain Form and What is the Water Cycle? (video)
Resources: Easy Water Cycle Drawing (video)
How Does Rain Form and What is the Water Cycle? (video)
7.
Identify some human activities that can alter the environment, and describe how they affect the climate and people.
Resources: 10 Human Activities Heavily Impacting Climate Change (video)
Causes and Effects of Climate Change (video)
Resources: 10 Human Activities Heavily Impacting Climate Change (video)
Causes and Effects of Climate Change (video)
8.
Describe how the tilt of Earth's axis helps determine the climate of a region near the equator, near the poles, and across the area in between.
Resources: Why Do We Have Different Seasons? (video)
Why Do We Have Different Climates Across the Globe? (video)
Resources: Why Do We Have Different Seasons? (video)
Why Do We Have Different Climates Across the Globe? (video)
9.
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, NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, and internet sources (with your parent or guardian's permission). 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.
Resources: Weather 101: Build Your Own Wind Vane! (video)
DIY Anemometer (Measure Wind Speed) (video)
How to Make a Rain Gauge (video)
How to Make Your Own Hygrometer (video) - (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.
Resource: Behind the Scenes of the National Weather Service Atlanta/Peachree City (video)
10.
Give a talk of at least five minutes to a group (such as your unit or a Cub Scout pack) explaining the outdoor safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes. Before your talk, share your outline with your counselor for approval.
11.
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.
Resources: Hurricane Hunter (video)
Careers in Meteorology - National Weather Service Hurricanne Meteorologist (video)
Careers in Meteorology - Broadcast Meteorology (video)
Careers in Meteorology - Digital Meteorology (video)
Resources: Hurricane Hunter (video)
Careers in Meteorology - National Weather Service Hurricanne Meteorologist (video)
Careers in Meteorology - Broadcast Meteorology (video)
Careers in Meteorology - Digital Meteorology (video)
Get the Weather Merit Badge Pamphlet
Merit Badge Pamphlets are now free and publicly available. Note: Always check www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/ for the latest requirements.
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Discover more about "Weather"
Learn more about weather and meteorology by completing these weather-related projects.
MAKE A WIND VANE
A wind vane measures the direction of the wind.
What You’ll Need
Aluminum baking dish, pie tin or tray that’s thin enough to cut
Wooden garden stake that’s at least 3 feet tall and 1 inch thick
12-inch-long, 1-inch-thick piece of wood
2- to 3-inch-long nail
Drill
Metal washer
Hammer
Mallet
Glue
Small saw
Scissors
What You’ll Do
weathervane31. Using the mallet, drive the garden stake into the ground until it feels sturdy. Choose a location that’s outdoors and relatively clear of anything that would obstruct the wind.
2. Using the saw, cut a half-inch slot into each end of the 12-inch-long piece of wood.
3. With the help of an adult, place the piece of wood on top of the stake, and drill a hole through the wood and into the stake. Use a drill bit that’s slightly larger than the nail you’ll be using.
weathervane44. Place the washer on top of the stake, and insert the nail through the wood and into the stake. The piece of wood should be free to rotate but not fall off.
weathervane25. Cut an arrowhead and tail out of the aluminum, and glue them into the slots on each end of the wood.
weathervane16. Wait for the wind to blow, and watch as your vane turns to point in the same direction.
MAKE AN ANEMOMETER
An anemometer measures the speed of the wind.
What You’ll Need
New sharpened pencil
5 plastic foam cups
Hole punch
Straight pin
2 long plastic straws
Felt marker
Tape
What You’ll Do
anemometer51. Mark a number “1” on one of the cups and set it to the side.
2. Poke four holes evenly spaced apart in the sides of the cup by plunging the pencil straight through both sides. Make sure one set of holes is slightly lower than the other.
anemometer43. Poke the pencil through the bottom of the cup, then pull it out, turn it around, and push it through the hole again, this time with the eraser side up.
anemometer34. Thread straws through the holes of the cup so that they cross in the middle. Tape the straws in place.
anemometer25. Push the pencil up until the eraser touches the straws at the point where they cross. Push the straight pin through the straws and into the eraser so that the straws are held in place, but the cup can still spin around the pencil.
6. Using the pencil, poke one hole in the side of each remaining cup. Mount each cup on the straws.
anemometer17. Hold the apparatus by the pencil, wait for the wind to blow, and watch it spin. Count the number of revolutions the marked cup makes in one minute to track the wind speed.
MAKE A RAIN GAUGE
weather-200x148A rain gauge measures the amount of rain.
What You’ll Do
You can make a rain gauge out of any kind of measuring cup left outside when it rains.
If an old measuring cup isn’t handy, cut the top off of a plastic water bottle. Use a ruler to measure how much water the bottle collects after a rainfall, or, better yet, use a waterproof marker to make inch marks on the side of the bottle.
