The Large Data Set

Question 1

When was there an extreme hurricane in the UK and what may this lead to being presented in the data?

Answer 1

15th-16th October 1987

May lead to extreme values being presented in the data

Question 2

Over what two time periods was the large data set recorded?

Answer 2

May-October 1987

May-October 2015

Question 3

State the locations of all the weather stations.

(State the UK weather stations first, going anti-clockwise)

Answer 3

UK: Camborne, Hurn, Heathrow, Leeming, Leuchars

Jacksonville, Beijing, Perth

Question 4

Which hemisphere are the following in:
UK, Jacksonville, Beijing, Perth?

Answer 4

Northern Hemisphere- UK, Jacksonville, Beijing

Southern Hemisphere- Perth

Question 5

Describe Leuchars

Answer 5

In Scotland. colder temperatures, longer days in summer, shorter days in winter

Question 6

Describe Leeming

Answer 6

North-East cost of UK

Question 7

Describe Heathrow

Answer 7

Near London. warmer temperatures, shorter days in summer, longer days in
winter

Question 8

Describe Hurn

Answer 8

In Bournemouth, south coast of UK. warmer temperatures, shorter days in summer, longer days in winter

Question 9

Describe Camborne

Answer 9

South West coast of UK– likely more rainfall

Question 10

Describe Jacksonville

Answer 10

In Florida. – Windier (Hurricane season in September), Humid, Warmest in
July/August. Coldest in October

Question 11

Describe Beijing

Answer 11

In China. Humid, Warmest in July/August. Coldest in October

Question 12

Describe Perth

Answer 12

In Australia. Not humid, Warmest in January/February. Lots of days with no rain

Question 13

Values for daily total rainfall (mm) between 0- 0.05mm are called trace values (tr). How should you treat these?

Answer 13

Treat them as zero and include in calculations.

Question 14

What is daily mean wind speed measured in and how do you convert between this and mph?

Answer 14

Measured in knots (kn)

1 knot = 1.5 mph

Question 15

What is the Beaufort scale?

Answer 15

This is a qualitative scale (i.e. not numeric) with windspeeds labelled as Calm; Light; Moderate and Fresh

Question 16

Why is daily maximum gust measured in?

Answer 16

Knots (kn)

Question 17

What is daily mean total cloud measured in? And what does one of this unit mean?

Answer 17

Measured in oktas

One okta means that one eighth of the sky is covered with cloud.

Question 18

What is daily mean visibility measured in and what is this in metres?

Answer 18

Measured in decametres

1 decametre = 10 metres

Question 19

Daily mean pressure is measured in hectopascals (hPa).

What is atmospheric pressure in hPa and what would a low/ high pressure be?

Answer 19

Atmospheric pressure is 1013hPa

Below this is low pressure

Above thid is high pressure

Question 20

The cardinal scale and bearings are used for measuring both Daily Mean Wind Direction and Daily Max Gust Corresponding Direction.

What is the cardinal scale?

Answer 20

It is a qualitative scale (i.e. not numeric)

Question 21

What is the only data recorded for overseas weather stations?

Acronym hint: probably worth remembering these.

Answer 21

Daily mean pressure

Daily mean windspeed

Daily total rainfall

Daily mean temperature

Question 22

How should you treat data that included n/a?

Answer 22

You should ignore these when doing calculations.