Come Rain or Shine: Understanding the Weather
Understand and explore the physical processes behind the weather
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What You'll Learn in This Course
Master key concepts and practical skills through structured learning modules. By completing this curriculum, you'll gain valuable expertise applicable to real-world scenarios.
Learning Outcome 1
Weather affects our lives almost every day through what we wear, what we eat and what we do. But why is it rainy, windy or sometimes even sunny? Explore some of the physical processes driving UK weather systems and get hands on in the world of weather with practical activities and fieldwork. Try your hand at forecasting and have a go at interpreting weather maps and compare your results to our educator Dr Sylvia Knight’s. You’ll also watch our educators carrying out simple but effective experiments including creating clouds or simulating hot air rising and demonstrating the Coriolis effect.
Skills You'll Develop
This comprehensive Come Rain or Shine: Understanding the Weather curriculum is designed to take you from foundational concepts to advanced implementation. Each module builds upon the previous, ensuring a structured learning path that maximizes knowledge retention and practical application.
Course Requirements & Target Audience
Understand what you need to succeed in this course and determine if it's the right fit for your learning goals
Prerequisites & Requirements
What you need before starting this Come Rain or Shine: Understanding the Weather course:
- Describe the weather features associated with depressions, anticyclones and the four main air masses which affect the UK
- Interpret a synoptic or weather chart to provide details about wind speed and direction, precipitation and cloud cover
- Describe some of the physical processes which give rise to weather, such as convection, condensation, pressure gradients and the Coriolis force
- Investigate local weather conditions using readily available instruments
- Explain some of the processes which transfer energy through the Earth system, including the transient effects of volcanoes and changes in the Earth’s orbit, and how these processes relate to the Earth’s climate
Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for:
- Motivated learners at any level
- Self-paced students
- Anyone interested in the subject
This course might not be suitable if:
- • You're looking for a quick tutorial rather than comprehensive learning
- • You prefer learning without structured curriculum
- • You need highly specialized or niche content
Course Information & Details
Everything you need to know about this online course, from duration to certification
Course Instructor
Global controls on weather
Expert instructor with industry experience
Subject Category
Nature & Environment, Science, Engineering & Maths, Earth Science
Course Language
English
All materials in English
Start Your Learning Journey Today
This online course offers comprehensive training with expert instruction, practical exercises, and a certificate of completion. Join thousands of students advancing their careers through quality online education.
Course Enrollment
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Pricing may vary. Check the course provider for current promotions and exact pricing.
What's Included
- Introduction to high and low pressure systems
- Weather and climate differences
- Depressions and anticyclones
- Where does weather come from and why does it rain?
- Air masses and types of rain
- Measuring the weather
Affiliate disclosure: course links are affiliate links; an enrolment through one may pay Getting Digital a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to the learner, and it does not influence how courses are described.
- ✓Instant access after enrollment
- ✓Learn at your own pace
- ✓Direct enrollment with University of Reading
Where this course fits
Wider context: all fields, the glossary and certification exams.
Last updated 20 August 2025 · Getting Digital