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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain basic meteorological concepts 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246537  Explain basic meteorological concepts 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Weather 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard will be useful for learners that are interested in how the relationship between the different motions of the earth and the atmosphere influence each other. The person credited with this Unit Standard will have basic knowledge on the forces influencing the earth and the resultant motions, the vertical structure of the atmosphere and the meteorological variables that encompass meteorological observations.

A person credited with this Unit Standard will be able to:
  • Explain the different forces, motions and sources of energy that influence the earth.
  • Explain the properties, structure and processes in the atmosphere.
  • Explain the meteorological variables in the troposphere.
  • Explain the relationship between the wind and the energy balance in the atmosphere. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the different forces, motions and sources of energy that influence the earth. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The position and the structure of the earth within the solar system are explained with regard to the motions of the earth. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Position and structure include the planets within the solar system, Kepler's Law of Planetary Motion, Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the shape of the earth, the location of a point on the earth's surface (latitude and longitude), the dimensions and structure of the earth.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different forces that influence the earth are explained in relation to the movement of air. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Forces may include but are not limited to Newton's three Laws of Motion, scalar and vector fields, the centrifugal force, the force of gravity, the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various motions that influence and affect the earth are explained in relation to movement of air and water. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Motions may include but are not limited to the rotation of the earth on its axis, the revolution of the earth around the sun, lunar and solar tides.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The seasonal and diurnal variations of the sources of energy of the earth are identified and explained in relation to heat exchange simulation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Seasonal and diurnal variations may include the effects of the revolution of the earth around the sun, the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, the perihelion and the aphelion positions as well as the potential and kinetic energy.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the properties, structure and processes in the atmosphere. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The physical properties of air are explained to show the composition of the atmosphere. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical properties may include the composition of dry air, water vapour in the atmosphere, atmospheric ozone, and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere relevant to meteorology.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The vertical structure of the atmosphere is explained in order to show the depth of the atmosphere in relation to meteorology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The vertical structure includes the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the ionosphere.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The heat exchange processes that occur within the atmosphere are explained in relation to the earth's energy budget. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The heat exchange processes may include solar radiation, terrestrial radiation, conduction and convection, the albedo of the earth, land and sea surface temperature differences and adiabatic processes emphasizing the differences between temperature and heat.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Ozone and the ozone hole are explained with reference to their formation and meteorological effects. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the meteorological variables in the troposphere. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effect of temperature is explained in relation to atmospheric stability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The effects of temperature may include but are not limited to the diurnal variation of the surface air temperature, the variation of temperature in the vertical, the dry and saturated adiabatic lapse rates, stable and unstable conditions, temperature and density.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The moist air processes and indicators are explained in relation to their effect on the meteorological variables. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Moist air processes may include but are not limited to vapour pressure, saturation vapour pressure, isobaric and adiabatic processes, the phase changes of water and the related latent heat exchange, absolute humidity and relative humidity, dew point and wet bulb temperatures and mixing ratio.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Horizontal and vertical variation of pressure is explained with regard to atmospheric processes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Horizontal and vertical variation of pressure may include but are not limited to the reduction of pressure to standard levels, pressure gradient and tendency, the change in density from place to place with reference to aviation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Surface and vertical wind variables are explained in relation to topographical and diurnal variations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Surface and vertical wind variables may include wind direction, average speed and gusts, wind shear, veering and backing of the wind.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Lithometeor and hydrometeor effects are explained with regard to horizontal visibility. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lithometeor and hydrometeor effects may include but are not limited to the effects of precipitation, fog and mist, wind blown spray, smoke, smog, dust and sand, salt particles and oil particles in the atmosphere.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the relationship between the wind and the energy balance in the atmosphere. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Energy may include sensible heat and latent heat. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic general circulation of air is explained in relation to pressure and wind patterns owing to heating differences. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic general circulation may include but is not limited to with and without rotation of a homogeneous earth, the Hadley cell and the heat equator.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of the earth's rotation is explained in relation to the Coriolis effect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The main features of the general circulation are explained in relation to the mean sea level circulation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General circulation may include but is not limited to the major wind belts.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Movement of air is explained in relation to the relevant forces in both hemispheres. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Movement of air may include but is not limited to geostrophic and gradient winds, Buys Ballot Law, convergence and divergence, the advection of air.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • The assessor assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must have a BSc degree (NQF 6) in Meteorology or equivalent qualification.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or will assess this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant Qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The learner must be able to communicate and understand basic scientific language. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems pertaining to the different forces in relation to the movement of the earth. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to help explain the relationship between the different motions on earth and the atmosphere and how they influence each other. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems in which energy exchanges take place within the troposphere. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58995   National Certificate: Weather Observation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. South African Weather Service 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.