Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOOPS306A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Interpret weather conditions in the field

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOOPS306A - Interpret weather conditions in the field
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to collect information from a weather map, make forecasts, and record and interpret weather and environmental information in the field in order to assess the impact of weather on outdoor recreation activities.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working autonomously, or under minimal supervision in various outdoor environments who are responsible for collecting and interpreting weather and environmental information before and during outdoor activities. This unit may also apply to outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not for profit organisations or government agencies.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Interpret information from a weather map.
  • Identify characteristics of map types and their different uses.
  • Identify weather map symbols and associated weather and environmental conditions.
  • Outline and justify a weather prediction for a 48 hour period for a specific region using information gained from weather maps and forecasts.
       
Element: Collect and record weather and environmental information in a specific region.
  • Identify sources of relevant weather and environmental information
  • Identify major cloud types and altitude level.
  • Collect weather and environmental information at regular intervals for a specific area over five days.
  • Record weather data and identify patterns.
  • Compare and identify the differences between current weather conditions and a current weather forecast.
  • Identify the possible effects of landforms on weather conditions.
  • Identify and explain season variations in weather patterns for a specific area.
  • Outline differences between large scale and localised weather conditions for a specific area.
       
Element: Interpret weather and environmental information for outdoor activities at a specific location.
  • Determine the suitability and limitations of the activity in relation to the current local weather conditions and forecast.
  • Identify strategies to ensure the safety and well being of individuals and or group in weather conditions according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify weather conditions commonly associated with the onset of life threatening weather hazards.
  • Identify characteristics of life threatening weather hazards and their possible impact on recreational activities.
  • Respond appropriately to life threatening weather hazards to ensure safety of participants
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

makes weather predictions for a outdoor area using weather maps and forecasts

assesses the short and long term implications of meteorological data on a specific outdoor activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure interpretation of weather signs in a variety of weather conditions in outdoor locations to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

meteorological data to read and interpret weather and environmental information

meteorological instruments to collect weather and environmental information

an outdoor activity environment in which to conduct weather interpretation activities.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the impact of meteorological data on planned activities

observation of interpreting weather for a specific outdoor environment using information gained from weather maps, predictions and forecasts

portfolio of weather predictions covering five day periods

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

Activity-specific units relevant to participation in outdoor recreation activities.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

planning and organising skills to:

collect weather and environmental information at regular intervals

record and interpret weather and environmental information

justify suitability and safety of an activity area

problem-solving skills to:

determine the impact of meteorological data on planned activities

predict and anticipate weather for a specific outdoor environment

compare the differences between various weather attributes

respond to changes in weather including life threatening weather hazards

literacy skills to:

interpret and analyse weather and environmental information

record weather data patterns.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of weather interpretation activities

map types and symbols to predict weather for a specific outdoor area

methods of predicting and forecasting weather to determine its impact on recreational activities

influence of cloud types, local air masses, seasons, topography and landforms on the weather and the implications of these on outdoor activities

methods of recording weather data to identify patterns and apply this information to plan safe outdoor activities

life threatening weather hazards and their possible impact on recreational activities

factors affecting global, regional and local climatic conditions and the impact of these on outdoor activities.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Map types may include:

prognosis maps

analysis maps.

Symbols may include:

cyclones

anti-cyclones

depressions

highs or lows

troughs

ridges

frontal bands

isobars.

Information may include:

cloud cover

wind direction, speed and strength

barometric pressure

precipitation type and intensity

sunshine trends and duration

temperature range and intensity

humidity trends.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Cloud types may include:

cirrus

stratus

cumulus.

Data may include:

cloud cover

wind direction, speed and strength

barometric pressure

precipitation type and intensity

sunshine trends and duration

temperature range and intensity

humidity trends.

Patterns may include:

wind direction and speed

precipitation form and distribution

sunshine trends and duration

temperature range and intensity

humidity trends

anticyclones

depressions

movement of pressure systems.

Conditions may include:

cloud cover

wind direction, speed and strength

barometric pressure

precipitation type and intensity

sunshine trends and duration

temperature range and intensity

humidity trends.

Landforms may include:

mountain ranges

large bodies of water

valleys

Limitations may include:

duration of the activity

intensity of activity

exposure to prevailing conditions

ability of individual and or group

technical difficulty of activity.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

operating procedures and company or enterprise policies

occupational health and safety

use and maintenance of equipment

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

Life threatening weather hazards may include:

floods

cyclones

electrical storms

snow storms

limited visibility

hail

extremes in temperature

strong winds.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify characteristics of map types and their different uses. 
Identify weather map symbols and associated weather and environmental conditions. 
Outline and justify a weather prediction for a 48 hour period for a specific region using information gained from weather maps and forecasts. 
Identify sources of relevant weather and environmental information 
Identify major cloud types and altitude level. 
Collect weather and environmental information at regular intervals for a specific area over five days. 
Record weather data and identify patterns. 
Compare and identify the differences between current weather conditions and a current weather forecast. 
Identify the possible effects of landforms on weather conditions. 
Identify and explain season variations in weather patterns for a specific area. 
Outline differences between large scale and localised weather conditions for a specific area. 
Determine the suitability and limitations of the activity in relation to the current local weather conditions and forecast. 
Identify strategies to ensure the safety and well being of individuals and or group in weather conditions according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify weather conditions commonly associated with the onset of life threatening weather hazards. 
Identify characteristics of life threatening weather hazards and their possible impact on recreational activities. 
Respond appropriately to life threatening weather hazards to ensure safety of participants 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOOPS306A - Interpret weather conditions in the field
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISOOPS306A - Interpret weather conditions in the field

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: