Understanding the Weather — NCERT Solutions

Given: Five possible sites for installing a rain gauge at school.

Concept: A rain gauge must be placed where it can collect rainfall accurately — without obstruction from buildings or trees, without splashing from nearby surfaces, and in a location that is accessible for regular reading.

Key requirements for a correct rain gauge site:

• Open sky above (no roof, overhanging branches, or walls blocking rain).
• Away from tall structures that could create a wind shadow or shelter the gauge.
• Stable and level ground or platform.
• Safe and accessible for students to take readings.
• No risk of water splashing into the gauge from nearby hard surfaces.

Evaluation of each site:

Decision: Site 3 — Open ground with elevated platform is the best choice.

Reasons for our decision:

1. The open ground ensures there are no buildings, trees, or walls obstructing the falling rain.
2. The elevated platform keeps the gauge above the ground level, preventing water from splashing in from the surface during heavy rain, which would give a falsely high reading.
3. It is accessible and safe for students to visit and record readings daily.
4. There is no roof above, so all rainfall falls directly and vertically into the gauge.

Conclusion: An open ground with an elevated platform best satisfies all the scientific requirements for accurate rainfall measurement.

Given:

• Source: IMD Daily Weather Parameters, Jammu & Kashmir (Evening Bulletin)
• Date: 01-02-2024
• Note: ACT = Actual; NOR = Normal; DEP = Departure from Normal; R/F = Rainfall; S/N = Snowfall; TR = Trace amount.

(Note: The actual data table image is not fully visible in the source; the solution below is written as a model weather report script based on the column headers, the answer key values provided, and standard IMD bulletin format. Students should substitute the exact station-wise figures from their textbook's printed table.)

Model Weather Report Script:

🎙️ Good evening. Here is the weather report for Jammu & Kashmir for 1st February 2024, as recorded by the India Meteorological Department.

General Overview:
Jammu & Kashmir experienced cold winter conditions across most regions today. Temperatures remained well below normal in several parts of the valley, while the Jammu division recorded relatively milder conditions.

Temperature:

• The maximum temperature in the Jammu region was recorded at approximately $12°C$, which is close to the normal for this time of year.
• In the Kashmir Valley, maximum temperatures hovered around $4°C$ to $6°C$, significantly below the seasonal normal, indicating a departure of about $-2°C$ to $-4°C$ from normal.
• Minimum temperatures in higher altitude areas such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam dipped to as low as $-5°C$ to $-8°C$, well below the freezing point.

Humidity:

• Humidity levels were high across the Kashmir Valley, ranging between $60\%$ and $84\%$, contributing to the biting cold and foggy conditions.
• In the Jammu region, humidity was comparatively lower, around $40\%$ to $58\%$.

Precipitation:

• Snowfall (S/N) was recorded in higher reaches including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Some stations recorded trace (TR) amounts of snowfall.
• Rainfall (R/F) was recorded in parts of the Jammu division, with actual figures showing a departure from normal precipitation levels.
• The plains of Jammu received light rainfall, while the mountain passes received moderate to heavy snowfall.

Wind and Pressure:

• Atmospheric pressure readings indicate stable but cold conditions.
• Light to moderate winds were observed across the valley.

Advisory:
Residents and travellers are advised to stay indoors during the coldest hours of the night. Mountain passes may remain closed due to snowfall. Warm clothing is essential.

This was your evening weather report for Jammu & Kashmir. Stay warm and stay safe.

Note to students: Replace the approximate values above with the exact station-wise ACT, NOR, and DEP figures given in the printed table in your textbook to make the report precise and complete.