This free course, Watching the weather, describes how meteorological observations are made looking upwards from the surface of the Earth, looking downwards from satellites in space and from aircraft and balloons within the atmosphere. This international network of observations is vital for scientists and forecasters and the results impact on everyones daily activities.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• demonstrate general knowledge and understanding of some of the basic facts, concepts, scientific principles and language relating to meteorology and weather forecasting, in particular the techniques used to gather meteorological data
• receive and respond to information presented in a variety of ways, including text, tables, graphs, diagrams, computer-based multimedia and websites
• begin to understand how to develop personal learning strategies.