Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:07 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:07 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Interpret weather conditions in the field
Interpret weather conditions in the field
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOOPS306A
SISOOPS306A
State Code
D6433
D6433
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
010701 - Atmospheric Sciences
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Interpret information from a weather map.
- 1.1. Identify characteristics of map types and their different uses.
- 1.2. Identify weather map symbols and associated weather and environmental conditions.
- 1.3. Outline and justify a weather prediction for a 48 hour period for a specific region using information gained from weather maps and forecasts.
2. Collect and record weather and environmental information in a specific region.
- 2.1. Identify sources of relevant weather and environmental information
- 2.2. Identify major cloud types and altitude level.
- 2.3. Collect weather and environmental information at regular intervals for a specific area over five days.
- 2.4. Record weather data and identify patterns.
- 2.5. Compare and identify the differences between current weather conditions and a current weather forecast.
- 2.6. Identify the possible effects of landforms on weather conditions.
- 2.7. Identify and explain season variations in weather patterns for a specific area.
- 2.8. Outline differences between large scale and localised weather conditions for a specific area.
3. Interpret weather and environmental information for outdoor activities at a specific location.
- 3.1. Determine the suitability and limitations of the activity in relation to the current local weather conditions and forecast.
- 3.2. 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.
- 3.3. Identify weather conditions commonly associated with the onset of life threatening weather hazards.
- 3.4. Identify characteristics of life threatening weather hazards and their possible impact on recreational activities.
- 3.5. Respond appropriately to life threatening weather hazards to ensure safety of participants
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.
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.
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.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6240 | SROOPS004B | Interpret weather conditions in the field | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF12 | SISOPLN005 | Interpret weather and environmental conditions for outdoor recreation activities | Unit of competency |