WEATHERWEATHERIts causes and effectsIts causes and effects

Investigation 1- What is Weather?

• Enduring Understanding: • Weather is a condition of Earth’s atmosphere at

a given time in a given place.• Learning Goals: • I will identify severe weather and its potential to

cause death and destruction in the environment.• I will identify the proper use of weather

measurement tools.

Quick WriteQuick Write• What is weather?

• Write your answer in your Science Journal.

Today’s WeatherToday’s Weather• Is today’s weather normal for

this time of year?• What would you expect

normally?• Is this the kind of weather you

would expect to happen everywhere on Earth today? Explain.

““THINGS THAT THINGS THAT FALL FROM THE FALL FROM THE

SKY”SKY”DVD in FOSS Kit

“Hurricane”Click on “Hurricane” to Play Video

Video QuestionsVideo Questions• What is a hurricane?

–An area of low pressure into which air rushes, creating powerful winds that spiral. The winds blow at least 75mph.

• What conditions are necessary for a hurricane to form?–An ocean where the water temperature

is 27C (81F) or higher. An area of low pressure.

• What kinds of damage occur during hurricanes?–Wind and water damage, flooding.

Video QuestionsVideo Questions• What are some things people have done to try to

lesson hurricane damage?– Moved entire cities, improved hurricane

forecasts to help people be prepared for securing property or evacuating, build seawalls, built houses on stilts.

• Where have some of the most devastating hurricanes occurred and when?– Galveston, 1900. Belize, Hurricane Hattie, 1961.

Galveston, Hurricane Alecia, 1983. Caribbean Islands, Hurricane Gilbert, 1988. Bangladesh, 1991. Florida, Hurricane Andrew, 1992.

• How do meteorologists know when a hurricane is coming and where it might strike land?– Ground observations, aircraft observations,

satellite images.

Video QuestionsVideo Questions• What surprised you about the

weather shown in the video?• Weather that is dangerous or

causes damage is called severe weather. Have you ever experienced severe weather? If so, what?

• What other types of severe weather have you heard or read about?

HOMEWORKHOMEWORK• Bring in a copy of a local Bring in a copy of a local

weather report.weather report.–Either cut it from a Either cut it from a newspaper, print it from the newspaper, print it from the internet, or write down what internet, or write down what you hear from the TV/radio you hear from the TV/radio weather report.weather report.

WEATHERWEATHERIts causes and effectsIts causes and effects

Investigation 1- What is Weather?

• Enduring Understanding: • Weather is a condition of Earth’s atmosphere at

a given time in a given place.• Learning Goals: • I will identify severe weather and its potential to

cause death and destruction in the environment.• I will identify the proper use of weather

measurement tools.

READING:READING:“Naming Hurricanes”“Naming Hurricanes”

page 3page 3

Weather QuestionsWeather Questions• The video segment and reading gave

us some things to think about and may have raised some questions. You might have some other questions about weather that we experience where we live.

• Everyone will write 3 or 4 questions you have about weather.

Weather QuestionsWeather Questions• Share your questions with your group.

• Each group will share ONE question with the class.

METEOROLOGYMETEOROLOGY• The word meteorology literally

means the study of meteors. That may sound like it doesn’t have much to do with weather, but in ancient Greece, anything that fell from the sky was considered a meteor, whether it was what we know as a meteor today, rain, snow, or hail.

METEOROLOGYMETEOROLOGY• The scientific study of

Earth’s weather is called meteorology. A person who studies the causes and effects of Earth’s weather is a meteorologist.

METEOROLOGYMETEOROLOGY• Today meteorology includes

only the study of weather. Planetary scientists study meteors. Some meteorologists study weather in order to make predictions or forecasts to let people know what kind of weather to expect the next day or the next week.

FORECASTSFORECASTS• Who would use a weather forecast

and what decisions might they make based on them?–How people dress for the day–Travel plans (air travel)–Health issues (allergies, colds)–Business people (umbrellas, snow gear,

swimsuits)–Vacation or recreation plans (camping,

sailing, picnics, mini-golf)–Gardening, Farming (spring planting,

harvesting)

WORD BANK• Severe Weather- weather that is

dangerous or causes damage.• Forecast- prediction about

weather.• Meteorology- the scientific study

of Earth’s weather.• Meteorologist- A person who

studies the causes and effects of Earth’s weather

Understanding Weather Video