Weather

Weather merit badge requirements

1. Define meteorology. Explain what weather is and what climate is. Discuss how the weather affects farmers, sailors, aviators, and the outdoor construction industry. Tell why weather forecasts are important to each of these groups.
2. Name five dangerous weather-related conditions. Give the safety rules for each when outdoors and explain the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning. Discuss the safety rules with your family.
3. Explain the difference between high and low pressure systems in the atmo­sphere. Tell which is related to good and to poor weather. Draw cross sections of a cold front and a warm front, showing the location and movements of the cold and warm air, the frontal slope, the location and types of clouds associated with each type of front, and the location of precipitation.
4. Tell what causes wind, why it rains, and how lightning and hail are formed.
5. Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the atmosphere. Relate these to specific types of weather.
6. Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Explain the water cycle to your counselor.
7. Identify some human activities that can alter the environment, and describe how they affect the climate and people.
8. Describe how the tilt of Earth's axis helps determine the climate of a region near the equator, near the poles, and across the area in between.
9. Do ONE of the following:

   a. Make one of the following instruments: wind vane, anemometer, rain gauge, hygrometer. Keep a daily weather log for one week using information from this instrument as well as from other sources such as local radio and television stations, NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, and Internet sources (with your parent's permission). Record the following information at the same time every day: wind direction and speed, temperature, precipitation, and types of clouds. Be sure to make a note of any morning dew or frost. In the log, also list the weather forecasts from radio or television at the same time each day and show how the weather really turned out.

   b. Visit a National Weather Service office or talk with a local radio or television weathercaster, private meteorologist, local agricultural extension service officer, or university meteorology instructor. Find out what type of weather is most dangerous or damaging to your community. Determine how severe weather and flood warnings reach the homes in your community.

10. Give a talk of at least five minutes to a group (such as your unit or a Cub Scout pack) explaining the outdoor safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes. Before your talk, share your outline with your counselor for approval.
11. Find out about a weather-related career opportunity that interests you. Discuss with and explain to your counselor what training and education are required for such a position, and the responsibilities required of such a position.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Weather is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Weather requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Scouts BSA merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutShop.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Animal Science - Archaeology - Astronomy - Architecture - Chemistry - Composite Materials - Digital Technology - Electricity - Electronics - Energy - Environmental Science - Geology - Nuclear Science - Radio - Space Exploration - Weather

• Scouts BSA ranks: Scout - Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class
• Scouts BSA awards: Firem'n Chit - Totin' Chip - Paul Bunyan Woodsman - National Outdoor Badges - National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• Scouts BSA Merit Badges: Archaeology - Archery - Astronomy - Athletics - Backpacking - Bird Study - Camping - Canoeing - Climbing - Cooking - Cycling - Environmental Science - Farm Mechanics - Fire Safety - Fish and Wildlife Management - Fishing - Fly-Fishing - Forestry - Gardening - Geocaching - Geology - Golf - Hiking - Horsemanship - Insect Study - Kayaking - Mammal Study - Motorboating - Nature - Oceanography - Orienteering - Personal Fitness - Pioneering - Reptile and Amphibian Study - Rifle Shooting - Rowing - Scuba Diving - Search and Rescue - Shotgun Shooting - Signs, Signals, and Codes - Skating - Small-Boat Sailing - Snow Sports - Soil and Water Conservation - Space Exploration - Sports - Surveying - Swimming - Traffic Safety - Weather - Water Sports - Whitewater - Wilderness Survival
• Venturing: Wilderness Survival Ranger Core - Backpacking Ranger Award elective - National Outdoor Badges - National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• Sea Scouts: National Outdoor Badges - National Medal for Outdoor Achievement

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.