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Maths In Jobs

How does a weather presenter use maths?

A junior-friendly page showing how a weather presenter uses temperature, rainfall, graphs and forecasts.

Quick answer

Weather presenters use maths to understand temperature, measure rainfall, read graphs, and make predictions about the weather. They use numbers to tell us what to expect, like how cold it will be or if it will rain.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how weather presenters use maths to describe and predict the weather, and you will be able to use simple maths to understand weather data. Success signs:
  • You can read a temperature chart and tell what the weather is like.
  • You can understand what rainfall means and how it is measured.
  • You can explain how graphs help weather presenters share information.
  • You can make your own simple weather forecast using numbers.

Why this matters

Weather presenters use maths every day to help us know what to wear, what to pack, and how to plan our day. Understanding weather maths helps you make smart choices, like taking an umbrella when it’s going to rain, or wearing a jumper when it’s cold. Weather presenters also use maths to predict the future, so we can prepare for storms or heatwaves. It's like being a weather detective using numbers!

How it works

Weather presenters use maths in many ways:
  1. They measure temperature using a thermometer and read numbers in degrees Celsius (°C).
  2. They count how much rain falls using a rain gauge and measure it in millimetres (mm).
  3. They look at graphs to show how weather changes over time.
  4. They compare numbers to predict what the weather will be like tomorrow.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are a weather presenter for one day. Here are some examples of how you use maths: Example 1: Temperature The temperature in your town was 10°C in the morning, and it rose to 20°C by noon. You can write this as a simple number sentence: 10°C + 10°C = 20°C This shows how the temperature changed. Example 2: Rainfall You measure the rain and find that it rained 5mm on Monday and 8mm on Tuesday. You can compare these numbers: 8mm > 5mm So, it rained more on Tuesday. Example 3: Graphs Weather presenters make bar graphs to show how the temperature changes each day. If the temperature was:
  • Monday: 15°C
  • Tuesday: 18°C
  • Wednesday: 12°C
You can draw a bar graph with bars showing each day’s temperature. The taller bar shows the warmest day. Example 4: Forecasting If it was 15°C yesterday and 18°C today, you might say: "Tomorrow it will be about 20°C because it is warming up." This is a simple prediction using numbers.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Weather Forecast Challenge You are a weather presenter for your town. Your mission is to share the weather with your family. 1st time: Measure the temperature outside. It is 12°C. 2nd time: Look at the rain gauge. It shows 3mm of rain. 3rd time: Check the weather app. It says the temperature will rise to 15°C tomorrow. 4th time: Draw a bar graph showing today’s temperature and tomorrow’s. 5th time: Tell your family what the weather will be like tomorrow using numbers. Can you do all five steps? Try it now!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 10°C is warmer than 5°C.
    Why it happens: Confusing the numbers or not knowing that a higher number means it’s warmer.
    Fix: Remember, the higher the number, the warmer it is.
  • Mistake: Mixing up millimetres (mm) and degrees Celsius (°C).
    Why it happens: Not knowing what each unit measures.
    Fix: Remember, mm measures rain, and °C measures temperature.
  • Mistake: Not reading graphs correctly.
    Why it happens: Not understanding what the bars or lines show.
    Fix: Look at the labels and think about what each part means.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Playing weather games together, like guessing the temperature or rainfall.
  • Looking at the weather app and discussing what the numbers mean.
  • Helping them draw simple bar graphs of daily temperatures.
  • Practising reading thermometers and rain gauges.
  • Encouraging them to ask questions like, "Why is it colder today?" or "How much rain do we need to make a puddle?"
Don’t worry if they make mistakes – it’s part of learning. Just ask them to explain their thinking and guide them gently.

Practice questions

  1. What unit is used to measure temperature? Answer: degrees Celsius (°C)
  2. What unit is used to measure rainfall? Answer: millimetres (mm)
  3. If it was 8°C yesterday and 12°C today, how much did the temperature rise? Answer: 4°C
  4. If it rained 5mm on Monday and 10mm on Tuesday, which day had more rain? Answer: Tuesday
  5. How can a weather presenter predict the weather? Answer: By looking at past data and patterns.

FAQ

How does a weather presenter know what the weather will be like?

Weather presenters use maths and data from weather stations, satellites, and computer models to make predictions. They compare numbers and patterns to guess what the weather will be like tomorrow.

What kind of graphs do weather presenters use?

They often use bar graphs to show temperature or rainfall over time. Sometimes they use line graphs to show how the temperature changes during the day.

Do weather presenters use multiplication or division?

Yes! They might divide rainfall data to find an average, or multiply numbers to show how much rain would fall over a week.

How can I learn more about weather maths?

You can look at weather apps, draw your own weather charts, or ask your local weather presenter questions if you're at a weather station or school event.

Why do weather presenters use numbers instead of just words?

Numbers help us understand exactly how much rain falls, how hot or cold it is, and how the weather changes. This makes it easier to plan and stay safe.