Schools from around the world are preparing to take daily weather observations for two weeks as part of an online project called MetLinkInternational.

This annual project is being run by the Royal Meteorological Society and is supported by the Met Office.

Pupils will be recording data such as cloud-cover, rainfall, pressure, wind speed and direction, and temperature. This hands-on experience of gathering the data for themselves allows students to develop a good working knowledge of how to take weather observations.

All the information collected will be entered into an online database. With the help of meteorological professionals, school children can then analyse and interpret their observations. A summary report of daily weather reviews will be published online each day, giving feedback on how their readings compared with what forecasters had officially predicted for that area. They will also be able to see highlights of what fellow students are up to in different countries, allowing them to appreciate and understand weather differences from region to region.

UK National Science Week
The first phase of data-entry will take place from 27th January to 7th February. To coincide with UK National Science Week, the second phase will run from 10th -14th of March.

You can take part in either or both of these two periods, and there is no charge for participation in the project. More than 175 primary and secondary schools from around the world have already registered. If your school is not yet on this list, there is still time to get involved.