Altitude and Weather | Science Project

Areas of Science	Weather & Atmosphere
Difficulty
Time Required	Average (6-10 days)

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Abstract

As you move up or down in altitude or elevation, the temperature and pressure will change. This is particularly striking if you live near a mountain range. During the summer, at low altitudes you may have temperatures in the 80's or 90's and still be able to see snow on mountain peaks at high altitude. You can test the effect of altitude by comparing temperature data from weather stations at high and low altitudes. You can test the effect of elevation by making your own weather balloon and sending it up to measure temperature and pressure at different heights as measured by a string. You could also have your parents drive you through the mountains and measure the temperature and pressure as you increase in elevation. (FI, 2006; GLOBE, 2006; NCAR, 2006; NOAA, 2006; Unisys, 2006; Weather Underground, 2006; WMO, 2006)

Bibliography

FI, 2006. "Franklin's Forecast," The Franklin Institute. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.fi.edu/weather/.
GLOBE, 2006. "The GLOBE Program: Measurements: Protocols," GLOBE, managed jointly by UCAR and CSU. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.globe.gov/do-globe/globe-teachers-guide
NCAR, 2006. "NCAR Science and Education Outreach Page," National Center for Atmospheric Research. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from https://scied.ucar.edu/.
NOAA, 2006. "NOAA Homepage," National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.noaa.gov/.
Unisys Corp, 2006. "Unisys Weather," Blue Bell, PA. Retrieved March 9, 2006, from http://weather.unisys.com/.
The Weather Underground, Inc, 2005. "The Weather Underground," Ann Arbor, MI. Retrieved December 13, 2005, from http://www.wunderground.com/.
WMO, 2006. "World Meteorological Organization," WMO, United Nations. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from https://public.wmo.int/en.

Cite This Page

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MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Altitude and Weather." Science Buddies, 6 Feb. 2019, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Weather_p020/weather-atmosphere/altitude-and-elevation. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2019, February 6). Altitude and Weather. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Weather_p020/weather-atmosphere/altitude-and-elevation

Last edit date: 2019-02-06

Experimental Procedure

For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.

If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.

Ask an Expert

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Abstract

Bibliography