IGCSE Specifications for Weather and Climate

2.3.1 Weather
Candidates should be able to:
• Draw, describe and explain the use and siting of the following instruments at a weather station: rain gauge, maximum-minimum thermometer, wet and dry bulb thermometer (hygrometer), barometer, anemometer and wind vane.
• Make calculations using information from these instruments.
• Have an awareness of simple digital instruments which can be used for weather observations.
• Use and interpret graphs and other diagrams showing weather data.
• Describe and explain the characteristics, siting and use made of a Stevenson screen.
• Describe the main types of cloud and be able to estimate the extent of cloud cover.

2.3.2 Climate
Candidates should be able to:
• Describe and explain the main characteristics of the climate in the regions listed in the syllabus (tropical rainforest and tropical desert): temperature – mean temperature of the hottest month, mean temperature of the coolest month, therefore the annual range; rainfall – the amount and seasonal distribution; other climate features – wind, cloud, humidity, etc. Factors influencing these characteristics should be noted such as latitude, pressure systems and the winds to which they give rise, distance from the sea, altitude and ocean currents. Candidates should be familiar with climatic graphs showing the main characteristics of temperature and rainfall of the climates in the regions listed.

2.3.3 Ecosystems
Candidates should be able to:
• Describe the characteristics and distribution of the two ecosystems listed in the syllabus (tropical rainforest and tropical desert).
• Explain the relationship in each ecosystem of natural vegetation, wildlife and climate.

2.4 Interrelationships between the natural environment and human activities
Candidates should be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding that the natural environment presents hazards and offers opportunities for human activities. Reference should be made to the hazards posed by volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tropical storms, flooding and drought. Use could be made of the study of contemporary examples to illustrate. This information would provide candidates with valuable case study information. Such examples could form resource material given in examination questions when candidates might be expected to illustrate inter-relationships between the natural environment and human activities from the data presented. Reference to the opportunities and problems posed for people could be incorporated when studies are made of the natural environment, for example the advantages and difficulties offered by river flood plains and deltas. The impact of human activities on the two ecosystems named in 2.3 should be considered.