Seasonal Changes and Weather Forecasting

Seasonal Changes

• What causes seasons?: Earth's tilt on its axis (23.5°) as it rotates around the Sun
• Characteristics of each season:
  • Spring: Warmth increases, days get longer, plants bloom
  • Summer: Warmest season, longest days, school vacation
  • Autumn (Fall): Cooling down, days get shorter, leaves change color
  • Winter: Coldest season, shortest days, snow and ice

Weather Forecasting

• What is weather forecasting?: Predicting what the weather will be like in the future
• Tools used in weather forecasting:
  • Thermometer: Measures temperature
  • Barometer: Measures air pressure
  • Hygrometer: Measures humidity
  • Anemometer: Measures wind speed and direction
  • Radar and satellites: Track weather patterns and storms
• Types of weather forecasts:
  • Short-term: Predicts weather for the next few days
  • Long-term: Predicts weather for the next week or month

Natural Disasters

• Types of natural disasters related to weather and climate:
  • Hurricanes: Strong winds and heavy rain near the ocean
  • Tornadoes: Rotating columns of air that touch the ground
  • Blizzards: Heavy snow and strong winds
  • Droughts: Prolonged periods of little to no rain
• How to stay safe during natural disasters:
  • Listen to weather forecasts and warnings
  • Have a emergency kit with food, water, and first aid supplies
  • Evacuate or seek shelter when necessary
  • Stay informed and follow instructions from authorities

Graphing

• What is graphing?: Visual representation of data to show patterns and trends
• Types of graphs used in weather and climate:
  • Line graphs: Show changes in temperature or precipitation over time
  • Bar graphs: Compare temperatures or precipitation amounts between different locations or times
  • Picture graphs: Use images to show data, such as a picture of a sun for a sunny day
• How to read and create a graph:
  • Identify the title, labels, and units
  • Understand the axis (x and y)
  • Look for patterns and trends in the data
  • Use clear labels and units when creating a graph

Seasonal Changes

• Earth's tilt on its axis (23.5°) causes seasons as it rotates around the Sun
• Spring: warmth increases, days get longer, and plants bloom
• Summer: warmest season, longest days, and school vacation
• Autumn (Fall): cooling down, days get shorter, and leaves change color
• Winter: coldest season, shortest days, and snow and ice

Weather Forecasting

• Weather forecasting predicts what the weather will be like in the future
• Thermometer measures temperature
• Barometer measures air pressure
• Hygrometer measures humidity
• Anemometer measures wind speed and direction
• Radar and satellites track weather patterns and storms
• Short-term forecasts predict weather for the next few days
• Long-term forecasts predict weather for the next week or month

Natural Disasters

• Hurricanes have strong winds and heavy rain near the ocean
• Tornadoes are rotating columns of air that touch the ground
• Blizzards have heavy snow and strong winds
• Droughts are prolonged periods of little to no rain
• Listen to weather forecasts and warnings to stay safe during natural disasters
• Have a emergency kit with food, water, and first aid supplies
• Evacuate or seek shelter when necessary
• Stay informed and follow instructions from authorities

Graphing

• Graphing is a visual representation of data to show patterns and trends
• Line graphs show changes in temperature or precipitation over time
• Bar graphs compare temperatures or precipitation amounts between different locations or times
• Picture graphs use images to show data, such as a picture of a sun for a sunny day
• Identify the title, labels, and units when reading a graph
• Understand the axis (x and y) when reading a graph
• Look for patterns and trends in the data when reading a graph
• Use clear labels and units when creating a graph