Exploring AWS MacMet Software

Viewing Real-time and Historical Data
Developed by Joanne Goodwin

Objective:

After completing this activity students will be able to access real-time and historical data using AWS MacMet software. They will be able to navigate through the various windows to access weather data. By answering the questions at the end of the activity, students will begin to develop an understanding of the relationship between weather variables.

Teaching Tip:

Before using the MacMet Software, it is a good idea to look at the National Radar Summary,
http://www.intellicast.com/LocalWeather/World/UnitedStates/Radar/, to see where "weather events" (lows and weather fronts) are happening.

A. Viewing Realtime Data

• To view real-time data for a weather station, make sure Internet Realtime Group is selected in the left window.
• Select a weather station from the right window.
• Click on Station Manager in the menu bar and drag to Stations, and then to Realtime and then to Master Screen. (If you have extra time, explore some of the other realtime screens.)
• When your station connects, look carefully at the Master Screen and record the information needed to complete this chart.
• Find 5 stations that will connect.

Station ID	City, State	Current Temperature	Sunrise	Wind Direction	Daily Rainfall	Monthly Rainfall

B. Viewing Historical Data

• Before "calling a station" to obtain historical data, click on Edit, Settings and then Historical Download. Make sure Maximum Number of Points is 500. (Each "point" represents an hour.)
• Select two of the stations from your table above. Write their 5-letter abbreviation.

• Make sure Internet Realtime Group is selected in the left window. Select your station in the window on the right.
• To obtain the historical data from that station, click on Station Manager, and drag to Stations and then Call Station. The software will acquire and download your data and return you to the main screen.
• Under Display in the menu bar, drag to Master Screen. You will notice the time is not changing.
• Click on PREV OB to go back in time. Choose a date and record the information in the charts below for each of your two stations. Remeber to cycle through the entire day to find the high and low temperatures and the highest wind speed. Use light intensity to determine the sunrise and sunset.

Station ID _________ _____ Date ____________ Sunrise Sunset High Temp. Low Temp. Highest Wind Speed

Station ID __________ Date ____________ Sunrise Sunset High Temp. Low Temp. Highest Wind Speed

C. As you go back in time and view historical data answer the following questions:

1. As the sun rises, what other weather variable also increases?

   
   

2. As the sun rises, what other weather variable decreases?

   
   

3. Did the wind speed vary?

   
   

4. Did the direction of the wind change? What other variables were affected by this?

   
   

5. What weather data was the most interesting as you went back in time?

   
   

6. What relationship can you observe between temperature and humidity?

   
   

7. Describe any other weather relationships you noticed.