HLPE 3532 Introduction to Outdoor Education

Part of environmental risk assessment

(e.g. Lake Alexandrina, Glen Matters, Lyme Bay)

Use as developmental tool

(Challenge, discovery, stretch comfort zone)

Develop knowledge of natural cycles

(Relationship with earth, wind, rain and water)

Cross curricular opportunities

(SACSA - Science, Health and Physical Education, Society and Environment)

Equipment care / cost

Know forecast for next 24-48 hours

Wind speed
Wind direction
Precipitation
Temperature

Know local weather issues

Relate to local environment and activity
http://www.bom.gov.au/

Television
Paper
(not up to date)
Radio
(ABC local 891, 6.45 am)
Internet
(www.bom.gov.au )
Locals
(surfers, fishing persons, sailors, farmers)
Personal Observations

Source of Weather
sun
role of equator and poles

Global Patterns
direction of wind according to high and low
wind strength - pressure gradient

Seasonal Patterns
Why we have seasons
Impact on weather maps

Ref: www.bom.gov.au

Ref: www.bom.gov.au

off
bom
simple
agencies

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8
k
m

Weather Warnings

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Received at: 23:41 UTC/GMT Tue 24 Aug 2010
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Radar

64
k
m

128 km

256 km

512 km composite

Rainfall

10
m
in

1 hour

since 9 am

24 hour

National

Doppler wind

Ref: www.bom.gov.au

A belt of
high
pressure
over the
continent

A cold
Southerly
airflow
over the
South
Eastern
states

A belt of
low
pressure
South of
the
continent

Low
Pressure
over the
North of
Australia

High
Pressure
over the
Southern
Part of
Australia

Main Cloud Types:

Cirrus
(high whispy clouds)
Cumulus
(fluffy)
Cumulonimbus (thunderhead)
Stratus
cirrostratus (high layer)
altostratus (middle level layer)
nimbostratus (low dense layer)

Cirrus Cloud
(Change 24-72hrs)

Cumulonimbus
(Thunder, lightning,
rain, wind)

Local Weather
role of source regions
land and sea breezes
orographic effects
fronts and typical frontal pattern in SA
adiabatic lapse rate. Change in temperature of a mass of air as it
moves upwards

Australia

Continental

Southern
Maritime

Tropical
Continental

Polar
Maritime

SUDSIDENCE INVERSION develops when a wide spread layer of air descends. The layer is
compressed and heated by the resulting increase in atmospheric pressure and as a result the
LAPSE RATE of temperature is reduced. If the air mass sinks low enough the air at higher altitude
becomes warmer than at lower altitude producing a temperature inversion.
LAPSE RATE is the rate of change in temperature observed while moving upward through the
Earths atmosphere. It is highly variable being affected by radiation ,convection and condensation
(about 6.5 degrees per Km)

Typical sequence of cloud and weather with cold fronts (Afer Colls and
Whitaker) 48 hours prior Small cumulus or clear sky Fine, north-east wind
24 hours prior Possibly medium cumulus, cirrus invading from west Fine,
gusty northerly winds
12 hours prior Overcast cirrus or cirrostratus, large cumulus Some showers,
possibly lightning to west and south-west, strong north-westerly winds
6 hours prior Overcast cirrus or cirrostratus, some altocumulus, large
cumulus and some cumulonimbus Some showers, possibly lighting to west
and south-west, strong north-westerly winds
Passage of front Cirrus, altocumulus, altostratus, large cumulus and
cumulonimbus Showers, squalls and storms, wind backing to south-west
After front Cumulus, stratocumulus and altostratus clearing Showers and rain
clearing, cooler southerly or south-easterly winds

Cold Front

Strong pressure
gradient

Northwesterly
Winds

Forecast areas large

Know neighbouring area
Look to West for
indications

Typically mid afternoon after a hot windless day

Reverse of sea breeze

Cooler air replaces warm air of sea
Topographic winds Valleys tend to become warmer than
surrounding hills, and breezes tend to flow up the slopes
and up the valleys during the day. Strength and direction
are influenced by the general circulation. At night, the flow
is reversed, down the valley. Hills and valleys also tend to
channel the general circulation, wind tending to blow
along valleys rather than across. Sea paddlers should be
careful of winds channelled down valleys opening on to
cliff coastlines, which might otherwise give some shelter.

Mountains can create their own weather systems

Adiabatic Lapse Rate air cools at -6.5 degrees (moist
air) or 10 degrees (dry air) for every 1000m of ascent
Orographic rain/snow from air being pushed up and
cooled

Weather can provide learning opportunities varying

from dealing with storms, trip and equipment
preparation, venue and route selection to weather
forecasting. When weather doesn't cooperate,
adapting the trip plan is required.
Flexibility and adaptability are hard to teach skills,
however they are an inherent component of the
outdoor experience.
(Alaskan Mountain guides 2004)

Bushwalking and Mountain Leadership Training Board (2000)

Bushwalking and Ski Touring Leadership. BMTAB, Victoria. Pp. 90103.
Froude, C and Polley, S (2008) Outdoor Education: Foundations for
secondary and tertiary education. Impact, Perth. Pp. 155-182.
Colls, K and Whitaker, R (1995) The Australian weather book.
National Book Distributors and Publishers, Frenchs Forest.
Crowder, B (1995) The wonders of the weather, Australian
Government Publishing Service, Canberra.w.bom.gov.au
http://www.bom.gov.au/info/ftweather/contents.shtml