Weather Stationary

Weather for Kids: Introduction

Weather for Kids: Introduction

 

This Weather for Kids course is designed for parents to begin teaching their children about the weather and how it affects their world. It is primarily intended as a fun learning experience for both parents and kids, but it has a secondary goal of creating the basis for a life-long interest in science and nature.

Whether this interest grows to the point of further studies and an eventual pursuit of a career or studies in a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field is not important at this point.
What is important is that kids and parents share a sense of discovery as they learn about the world around them.

Weather and Science should be part of the child’s curriculum in school. We feel that by sharing these topics outside of a school environment so the child will have greater enthusiasm towards their lessons.

kids and the weather | weatherstationary.com

What’s more, this enthusiasm will carry over into other subjects. Children who are raised in an environment where learning for its own sake is encouraged are more likely to have greater success throughout their education. Greater success in school is just the icing on the cake. There are more than seven billion people living on the planet, and every one of them feels the effect of weather.
 weather for kids course | weatherstationary.com

 

Talking about the weather has always been one of mankind’s most common conversation topics. We all enjoy nice weather and complain when it is not, but if we understand the weather even a little bit, then frightening and dangerous conditions become less scary. If the child is less scared in a dangerous weather situation, she is more likely to make the correct decisions and stay safe.

 

Check out the first 5 Chapters of our Weather for Kids Course

 

Weather for Kids Chapter 1: Why teach your child about weather?

Weather for Kids Chapter 2: What is Weather?

Weather for Kids Chapter 3: Basic Weather Terms

Weather for Kids Chapter 4: Dangerous Weather, Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Lightning

Weather for Kids Chapter 5: Weather vs. Climate

Weather for Kids Chapter 5: Weather and Climate

Weather for Kids Chapter 5: Weather and Climate

In this chapter we will discuss:
  • The difference between weather and climate and how they are related
  • The Five components that generate climate
  • The Köppen climate classification system
  • Climate change

After the TV weather person makes their report and prediction on the local station, many times there will be a short clip about the climate, often with dire warnings of how changes are going to mess everything up and that it is all mankind’s fault. You may have heard people say things like

“The weather is going to be exceptionally hot today, it must be because of global warming” or “We had a really bad winter last year because of climate change”.

These statements can be confusing because weather and climate are related, but they are not the same thing. On the NASA Climate page, it says that

“The difference between Weather and Climate is a measure of time”

and even that is not quite accurate. Comparing weather and climate is not like comparing apples and oranges, nor is it like comparing an orange to a crate full of oranges. It is more like comparing oranges to fruit. In other words, oranges are fruit, and there are many fruits that have a lot in common with oranges, but not all fruit is like an orange.

          Weather for Kids - Chapter 5 - Ice Cracks | weatherstationary.com

Weather is an important part of climate, and when we classify climates one of the important things to look at is the average weather over an extended period of time. The climate of a certain region is generated by the interaction of five worldwide components:

  • the atmosphere where weather is generated
  • the hydrosphere which is the mass of water found on below and above the planet
  • the cryosphere or regions of solid ice such as the polar caps
  • the lithosphere or rocky outer shell of the planet
  • and the biosphere or the living things on the planet.

The most common way of classifying climates is using the Köppen Climate Classifications. The classifications were first published in 1884 and have been modified several times since. They were originally based on the notion that native vegetation is the best expression of climate.

Weather for Kids - Chapter 5 - Geiger Climate Classification | weatherstationary.com

The system is divided into five main groups (A, B, C, D, E) and each group is further divided into types. Each climate type may be represented by a 2-4 letter symbol. For example, Miami has an A or Tropical monsoon climate; Denver has a B or Dry Steppe climate with at least one month of average temperatures below freezing, Los Angeles has a C or Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers dominated by subtropical high-pressure systems, and Chicago has a D or Continental climate with the warmest month averaging greater than 72°F. Group E climates are polar and alpine zones.

The Köppen climate classifications are useful for travelers and geography students as well as those studying weather and climate.        

Paleoclimatology is the study of ancient climates and weather patterns before modern record keeping. We know that the worldwide climate has changed many times, just like it is changing now. There are many theories and reasons behind climate change ranging from an “end of the world” scenario caused by pollution and other manmade factors to a natural cycle that would occur no matter what man does.

This is not a forum to debate the various causes of climate change, let alone fix blame. We will just point out that climate change is happening, it has happened before, and species and civilizations who can adapt will survive and thrive.

 Review Quiz:

Weather for Kids - What Have you Learned

 

 

 

 

  • Q1:What are the five world-wide elements of climate?
  • Q2: What expression of climate are the original Köppen climate classifications based on?
  • Q3: What can the study of paleoclimatology teach us about climate change today?

Answers:

 

  • A1: The atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere.
  • A2: The system was originally developed by Wladimir Köppen, who was a botanist as well as a climatologist. He based his climate classification system on the observation that certain types of plants grow in certain regions but not in others. In the decades since the Köppen climate classifications has come into use, we have a better understanding of how a saguaro cactus and a live oak tree have different climatic needs, and how climate change over time affects how plants grow and thrive
  • A3: Through paleoclimatology, the study of climate before records were kept, we know that regional and planet wide climates change. These cycles are not entirely predictable, and it is inconclusive how much effect man-made factors have influenced climate change.
Continue to Weather for Kids Chapter 6: How to become a Meteorologist
Weather for Kids Chapter 2: What is Weather?

Weather for Kids Chapter 2: What is Weather?

What is Weather?
In this section we will discuss:
  • How weather is what is happening in the atmosphere
  • The difference between climate and weather
  • How heat from the Sun is the energy that drives weather
  • Introducing how moisture in the air absorbs and releases energy

Every day before you go outside you probably take a look out the window to see what the weather is doing. Most people are happy if it will be sunny and warm so they can put on shorts and play in the backyard, and if it is rainy and cold they would rather stay indoors with a warm drink.

It is easy to think of weather as simply being nasty or nice, but there is a lot more going on than just these two opposites. Weather is what is happening in the atmosphere at a particular place, and the weather is always changing.

There is weather inside your house as well and we will be looking more closely at the inside weather to help us understand how the weather outside works.The climate is in the news a lot these days. Climate and weather are related, but they are not the same thing, and it is hard to understand climate until you understand weather.

Weather is what is happening in the atmosphere at a certain time at a certain spot while climate is a study of the weather in an area over a long period of time.

Chapter 02 - weather vs climate | WeatherStationary.com

Looking out the window seems pretty simple, we see that it is either sunny or cloudy, windy or calm. In fact, many different things influence what the weather is doing in your backyard. Some of them are hundreds or thousands of miles away from where you are. The two most important things that affect the weather are heat and moisture.

The heat comes from the Sun shining on the Earth. Since the Earth is tilted relative to the Sun, the area around the Equator receives more heat than at the poles. Also, the Earth is spinning, so the everywhere that the Sun is shining now will be in darkness in a few hours.

In general, warmer air rises and cooler air comes in to replace it. The new air warms and the cycle continues. It’s like putting a big pot of water on the stove to boil; the water in the bottom of the pot near the middle gets hot first because it is closest to the fire. We can see the water in the pot begin to circulate in a process called convection.

convection boiling water | weatherstationary.comweather convection process | weatherstationary.com

As the hottest water in the bottom of the pot moves up, it cools a little bit and the cooler water moves to the bottom and begins to absorb the heat from the element. When all of the water in the pot becomes so hot that it cannot absorb any more heat, it boils.

The heat from the Sun is the energy that drives the weather, just like gasoline is the energy that drives a car. Just a tank full of gas will not make a car move, of course. It needs an engine to convert the energy of the gasoline into motion. The engine in the atmosphere that drives the weather is water, or more specifically moisture.

Chapter 2 - the water cycle | WeatherStationary.com

You may have been taught that water exists in three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas in the forms of ice, water and vapor or steam.

We are told that water changes between these states according to temperature: water below 32°F occurs as frozen ice, between 32°F and 212°F water is liquid and above it is steam. However, there is another factor that is just as important as temperature to determine the physical state of water; pressure.

Let’s go back to our pot on the stove. What if we went outside and filled the pot with snow?

As soon as we brought the pot inside the ice in the snow begins to melt, and it melts even faster when we put it on the stove. Not only does it get hotter from the element, but the convection we saw in the boiling water is circulating to help the snow melt faster. Remember that convection it is the transfer of heat through the movement of particles; warm particles rise, cool particles fill in the space below.

The convection will continue until the liquid water boils and becomes steam unless we put a heavy lid on the pot. If the lid is heavy enough and seals the pot so that no steam can escape, there is too much pressure for the water to boil, and the liquid water can be hotter than 212°F. The opposite occurs when the pressure is low. At high altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature.

We will look at temperature, pressure and moisture a lot closer in the next section.

For now, just keep in mind that everything we see as weather exists because of three things, heat energy from the Sun, air moving because of temperature differences, and more or less moisture in the air because of temperature and pressure.

 

Review Quiz:

Weather for Kids - Chapter 2 | WeatherStationary.com

  • Q1: What provides the heat energy that drives weather?
  • Q2: What causes the air in the atmosphere to move?
  • Q3: What are the three physical states of water?
  • Q4: What are the three basic elements of weather?
  • Q5: What provides the heat energy that drives weather?

Answers:

  • A1: The Sun
  • A2: Differences in temperature cause the air to move. Warm air tends to rise and cooler air that sinks rushes in to replace it.
  • A3: Solid ice, liquid water and gaseous vapor.
  • A4: Heat from the sun, temperature differences in the atmosphere, and moisture in the air.
Continue to Weather for Kids Chapter 3: Basic Weather Terms

 

Why Teach Kids About Weather?

Why Teach Kids About Weather?

Why teach kids about Weather?

In this section of we will:
  • Learn how kids can learn to love the planet by learning how weather works
  • Learn how we can learn about weather and how it works
  • Learn basic safety measures to take in case of dangerous weather

Teach kids about weather | One of the greatest things about being a parent is discovering the world through their young eyes. How many common things have become extraordinary when you share them with your kids? They are even more special when they are something that they can share with you.

 mother and child in the rain | weatherstationary.com

It is never too early to begin teaching your kids to love the planet they were born on. And the best way to love it is to learn about it. There are any number of ways to do this, a trip to the zoo or aquarium, a camping trip in the woods, a hike in the local park, all are great ways to introduce the wonder and majesty of nature to a young mind.

But the opportunities are not as easy to find as we would like. These things take planning and preparation, but the weather is always there, just outside our windows.

 In fact, there is weather inside the house as well, and we will study that as well so that we can understand what is going on in the sky outside. Eventually, we will be able to see how a dust storm on the other side of the planet influences whether or not you will have a White Christmas.

Weather causing White Christmas | weatherstationary.com

But our main focus will be why is it sunny one day and stormy the next, what is really going on when snow or rain is falling, even why it can be raining at home but sunny at school!

This is a good time to begin thinking about weather and storm safety.

Storms that bring thunder, lightning and even tornadoes can be frightening for small children, but understanding why teach kids about weather and why it is doing what is doing can take away some of the scariness. It does not make the storms less dangerous, but being less frightened, kids are less likely to make mistakes.

 

We will learn more about specific weather safety hazards as we go along, but here are some important safety tips to keep in mind now:

  • Always be aware of the weather. Of course, you should always take a look through the window before you go outside to see if you need a jacket or coat, but take the time to check the forecast, either from TV or radio, online, or from your home weather station, to see if the weather could get worse.
  • If the dangerous weather is predicted, it does not mean that it will happen but know the signs so you can watch for them. If the sky suddenly fills with dark clouds and it starts to rain, seek shelter. Not only will you be more comfortable, you will be safe from lightning or tornadoes.
  • The best place to be is in a building or a car with the windows rolled up. Avoid exposed shelters like metal sheds, baseball dugouts, bleachers, or under a lone tree.
  • If there is lightning in the area and you cannot find shelter, crouch down in an open area, at least twice as far away from the nearest tree as it is high, and cover your ears to prevent hearing damage from thunder.
  • Stay away from water and metal. Both will conduct electricity and may attract a lightning strike.
  • If there is tornado danger, remember to D.U.C.K. – “duck” :
    • Get DOWN to the lowest level of the building,
    • Get UNDER something solid like a table or a desk,
    • COVER your head to protect from falling debris,
    • And KEEP inside the shelter until you are sure the danger has passed.

Review Quiz:

Weather for Kids - Chapter 1 | WeatherStationary.com

Q1: Why is it important to understand “inside weather”?

A1: The processes that occur in the atmosphere inside a building are the same as happen outside. If we can learn what is going on in the small scale, it is easier to understand what is happening on the larger scale of the outdoors.

Q2: What is the safest place to be in a sudden storm?

A2: Seek shelter in a building or in a car with the window rolled up.

Q3: How do you D.U.C.K. from a tornado?

A3: Get DOWN to the lowest level of the building, get UNDER something solid, COVER your head, and KEEP inside until you are sure the danger has passed.

Continue to Chapter 2: What is Weather?