Lesson 8: Storms and Wild Weather

Getting Started

Colliding fronts often trigger storms. Thunder and lightning accompany many rainstorms, and stormy weather can start tornadoes and other wild weather as well. Some of the wildest weather on Earth happens during hurricanes, avalanches, mudslides, wildfires, dust storms, and floods. Fortunately, these weather-related conditions don't happen very often!

Weather journal: Fill out your weather journal for today. What do you think the weather will be tonight or tomorrow?

Stuff You Need

Eyewitness Weather by Brian Cosgrove (revised edition)
balloon (kit)
human-powered light bulb (kit)
wool or synthetic socks

Ideas to Think About

How common are certain types of weather in your environment?
How can you prepare for weather changes in your environment?

Things to Know

Lightning is caused by static electricity that builds from particles of ice, water, and dust rubbing together in a cloud.
Cyclones occur in the Indian Ocean, hurricanes occur in the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, and typhoons happen in the Pacific Ocean.

Skills

Know the causes and effects of different types of severe weather. (S)
Investigate the formation of static electricity. (S)
Understand that lightning is a form of static electricity. (S)

Introducing the Lesson

Your child will conduct a simulation today to find out about static electricity and what powers lightning, and she will learn about various types of severe weather.

Reading and Questions

Materials: Eyewitness Weather by Brian Cosgrove (revised edition)

Read pages 36-37, 44-47, and 68-69 in the book Eyewitness Weather by Brian Cosgrove. There are no questions for this reading.

NOTE: Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are all swirling tropical storms. The name corresponds to where the storm takes place. Cyclones occur in the Indian Ocean, hurricanes occur in the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, and typhoons happen in the Pacific Ocean.

Questions