|
Isabelle and Andrew are friends. They live in different places and chat online. Andrew: What's the weather like at your place? Isabelle: Today is sunny. That means I can go outside and enjoy the day. And what's the weather like where you are? Andrew: It's raining here, so I'm probably going to stay home and read my book! |
Every day when we wake up, we want to know what's the weather like outside. Depending on the weather, we plan our day; we choose our clothes, daily activities, and mode of transportation. If it is sunny, we may take sunglasses when we go out. If it is raining, we should take an umbrella or take a car or bus to go to work or school. If it is snowing, we should put on warmer clothes. If it is windy, we may want to wear a wind jacket.
For some of us, the weather also affects our moods and feelings. We may feel happy, energetic, and motivated when the weather is sunny. The sunny weather may inspire us to take part in outdoor activities. But, if it rains, we may feel sad, tired, or unwilling to go out. We would rather stay at home reading books or watching TV. But each of us finds different types of weather pleasant or unpleasant. What about you? What kind of weather do you find pleasant or unpleasant?
In this lesson, we are going to learn the following:
Also, we will discuss a little bit about meteorology because the weather and meteorology are connected.
The weather can be described as the temporary conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. Earth's atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the planet, commonly known as the air.
The weather is not the same everywhere, and it changes every day. In fact, it can change in minutes. We will discuss the following types of weather: sunny, cloudy, windy, snowy, and rainy.
We describe the weather as sunny when there is plenty of sun and there are little or no clouds. Many of us find sunny days pleasant because the sun provides warmth. But not every sunny day is warm. Some sunny days are cold or windy. Usually, if the weather is sunny, we find it pleasant and motivating because we can do many outdoor activities. We can walk, play with friends, ride bikes, run, or hike. But don't forget your sunglasses!
When it is cloudy, the sun's rays can't reach the surface of the Earth. If we look at the sky, we can't see the sun because clouds block it. Clouds are large masses of water vapor. If the temperature drops, the water vapor becomes raindrops. When the weather is cloudy, it doesn't always mean it will rain. Also, it doesn't mean that it will be cold. It can still be warm because clouds can trap heat near the ground. But take your umbrella just in case. You might need it!
The rain falls from the clouds in the form of raindrops, formed when the temperature drop transforms the water vapor into water droplets. When the rain droplets are heavy enough, they fall from the clouds. The rain clears the air, helps plants grow, and fills rivers, lakes, and more. Rain is essential for animals that need water to survive. Watching movies, reading books, or playing computer games are common activities on rainy days. You can still go outside for a walk, but don't forget your umbrella!
Windy weather means winds are present. Winds are natural movements of the air. When a warm air mass rises upward and cold air rushes in to fill the vacuum, winds will increase. If you want to know if it is windy outside, look out your window. If trees are moving, then it is windy. Winds spread the sun's heat throughout the atmosphere, which keeps the Earth warm enough for us to survive. The wind also serves as a means of transportation for some small birds or seeds. The wind can clear air pollution. Sometimes, the wind creates storms on land or the ocean. Winds blow in different directions and strengths. If they are strong enough, they can cause damage.
Flying a kite is an excellent activity on windy days. Don't forget your wind jacket!
A snow day may involve sledding, building a Snowman, and snowball fights. But where does snow come from? Just like the rain, it comes from the clouds. Snow forms when water vapors in the air freeze before they can turn into water. This happens when the temperature in the clouds is cold. Snow falls in the form of snowflakes. Snowflakes are ice crystals that have achieved sufficient size and then fall through the Earth's atmosphere as snow. Snow and snowmelt are vital for getting new water for local rivers and lakes. Snow cover can protect low-growing plants from extreme temperature swings and from drying out in the cold, dry air. Don't forget to wear warm clothes!
Sometimes we need to know what the weather will be like in advance so we can make plans. Is there a way to predict the weather? Of course! Scientists that study the atmosphere to predict and understand the weather are called meteorologists. They can help us know when to expect sun, clouds, wind, rain, or snow. The science that meteorologists study is called meteorology. Meteorology focuses on the Earth's atmosphere. With the help of meteorology and meteorologists, we can follow and understand the weather via the internet, tv, newspapers, and other mediums.
*** You can create a chart like the one below and fill in 'what is the weather for today?' for each day. You may like to use a symbol to represent the weather types.
Weather symbols you can use are:
 |
sunny |
|
cloudy |
|
rainy |
|
windy |
|
snowy |
Your chart on the fourth day may look like this, depending on the weather in your area.
| Days of the week |
What's the weather |
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
|
Friday |
? |
|
Saturday |
? |
|
Sunday |
? |
Now, you have learned:
