CloudWatch Europe 2000

CloudWatch Europe involves observing the clouds and precipitation across Europe two or three times a day for one week and relating the clouds which are observed to weather patterns and atmospheric processes, including a study of changes in clouds and precipitation as weather systems move across Europe. The Internet (e-mail and the Web) will be used to co-ordinate the project and to analyse and discuss observations. The project is part of the Royal Meteorological Society's celebrations for its 150th anniversary this year. CloudWatch Europe is a development of the CloudWatch UK project that ran in 1996. This year's project will take place during the week of 20-24 March, chosen to include World Meteorological Day on 23 March. The CloudWatch Europe 2000 project is designed for school students aged 11-16.

Its aims are to:

• observe cloud type, cover and precipitation 2/3 times daily
• enter observations into a cloud database
• relate observations to weather patterns and atmospheric processes
• produce maps of clouds and weather
• compare observations to satellite images
• learn more about cloud

The project supports both Geography and Science. Participants will be given a booklet about clouds and a cloud identification chart. If you would like to take part in Cloud Watch Europe 2000 or would like further information, contact the Royal Meteorological Society's Education Officer, Malcolm Walker at:

WalkerJM@btinternet.com
Telephone: 0118 956 8500,

and visit the project website at
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/radgeog/cloudwatch/cwhome.html.