KS3 Geography: What is Weather?

Introduction to Weather

What is Weather?

Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. It includes conditions like temperature, rainfall, sunshine, and wind. Weather can change from hour to hour or day to day.

Key Elements of Weather

The key elements of weather are:

1. Temperature: How hot or cold the atmosphere is.
2. Precipitation: Any water that falls from the atmosphere, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
3. Humidity: The amount of water vapour in the air.
4. Wind: The movement of air from one place to another.
5. Atmospheric Pressure: The weight of the air above us, which can affect weather patterns.

Glossary Definitions

Look in the Glossary on page 303 and write definitions of each element of the weather based on your understanding or the book’s definitions.

Partner Discussion

Talking About Recent Weather

Work with a partner to discuss:

a) What has the weather been like over the last week?

b) How has the weather affected you both?

After your discussion, share your examples with the rest of the class.

Weather Photo Mosaic Activity

Analyzing Weather Photos

For each photo in the weather photo mosaic A-M, do the following:

1. Identify the element of the weather shown.
2. Write a sentence to describe the element of the weather shown.
3. Explain the effect the element of the weather is having on people.
4. Classify the elements of the weather shown into two groups:
   • Positive effects on people
   • Negative effects on people

Using Weather for Energy

a) Which two photographs show ways people use weather for energy?

b) Think back to Unit 2 Natural Resources. What kind of energy is this called?

Dangerous Weather Examples

The weather can be dangerous. Give examples from the photos where you think this is the case.

Questions

Easy Level (20 Questions)

1. What is weather?
2. Name one key element of weather.
3. What does temperature measure?
4. What do we call water that falls from the sky?
5. What is humidity?
6. How does wind affect the weather?
7. What does atmospheric pressure mean?
8. Can weather change quickly?
9. What kind of weather can we expect in summer?
10. How do we measure temperature?
11. What is the opposite of low humidity?
12. What does precipitation include?
13. How does wind help in flying a kite?
14. Why is it important to know the weather?
15. What are two things that can happen when it rains heavily?
16. How can weather affect what we wear?
17. What is a common tool used to measure wind speed?
18. What does it mean when the weather is cloudy?
19. How might a sunny day make you feel?
20. Why might farmers care about the weather?

Medium Level (20 Questions)

1. How does temperature influence precipitation?
2. What happens to humidity on a hot day?
3. Explain how wind is created.
4. Describe a weather condition that can be dangerous.
5. How does atmospheric pressure affect weather patterns?
6. Why might high humidity make you feel uncomfortable?
7. What are the effects of strong winds on trees?
8. How do meteorologists predict the weather?
9. Name two tools used to measure weather.
10. What is the water cycle, and how does it relate to weather?
11. How can weather forecasts help people plan their day?
12. What are the signs of an approaching storm?
13. How does weather impact transportation?
14. Why do some places have more rainfall than others?
15. What types of clothing are best for rainy weather?
16. How does extreme weather affect communities?
17. What is climate, and how does it differ from weather?
18. Why do we need to conserve water during a drought?
19. How is weather data collected?
20. What role do clouds play in the weather?

Hard Level (20 Questions)

1. How does global warming affect weather patterns?
2. Explain the relationship between weather and climate change.
3. What are the different types of precipitation, and how do they differ?
4. How can weather events like hurricanes be forecasted?
5. Describe how urban areas can create their own weather patterns.
6. What impact does weather have on agriculture?
7. How does the jet stream influence weather conditions?
8. Why is it important to study historical weather data?
9. Describe the role of satellites in weather prediction.
10. What are some consequences of extreme weather events?
11. How do ocean currents affect weather in coastal areas?
12. What factors contribute to the formation of thunderstorms?
13. Discuss the effects of El Niño on global weather.
14. How does altitude affect temperature and weather?
15. What is the significance of weather maps?
16. How do human activities influence local weather?
17. What are the implications of severe weather on human health?
18. Explain how weather can impact energy consumption.
19. What are the differences between severe thunderstorms and tornadoes?
20. In what ways can technology help mitigate the effects of bad weather?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.
2. One key element of weather is temperature.
3. Temperature measures how hot or cold the atmosphere is.
4. Water that falls from the sky is called precipitation.
5. Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air.
6. Wind can affect the weather by moving air masses and changing temperatures.
7. Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air above us.
8. Yes, weather can change quickly.
9. In summer, we often expect warm or hot weather.
10. Temperature is measured using a thermometer.
11. The opposite of low humidity is high humidity.
12. Precipitation includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
13. Wind helps in flying a kite by lifting it into the air.
14. It is important to know the weather for planning activities.
15. Heavy rain can cause flooding and soil erosion.
16. Weather affects clothing by determining if we need warm or cool clothes.
17. A common tool for measuring wind speed is an anemometer.
18. Cloudy weather often means less sunlight and can indicate rain.
19. A sunny day can make you feel happy and energetic.
20. Farmers care about the weather because it affects their crops.

Medium Level Answers

1. Temperature influences precipitation because warmer air can hold more moisture.
2. On a hot day, humidity often increases because of evaporation.
3. Wind is created by differences in air pressure in the atmosphere.
4. Dangerous weather conditions include tornadoes or severe storms.
5. Atmospheric pressure can lead to changes in weather patterns, such as storms.
6. High humidity can make you feel sticky and uncomfortable.
7. Strong winds can uproot trees and cause property damage.
8. Meteorologists predict the weather by using data from satellites and weather stations.
9. Tools used to measure weather include thermometers and barometers.
10. The water cycle is the continuous movement of water and relates to weather through evaporation and precipitation.
11. Weather forecasts help people plan their day by informing them about expected conditions.
12. Signs of an approaching storm may include dark clouds and sudden wind changes.
13. Weather impacts transportation by affecting flight schedules and road safety.
14. Some places have more rainfall due to geographical factors like mountains.
15. Rainy weather calls for waterproof clothing like raincoats and boots.
16. Extreme weather can lead to property damage and displacement of communities.
17. Climate is the average weather over a long period, while weather is short-term.
18. Conserving water during a drought is important to ensure supply during dry periods.
19. Weather data is collected using various instruments and satellites.
20. Clouds play a crucial role in weather by indicating moisture levels and potential precipitation.

Hard Level Answers

1. Global warming affects weather patterns by increasing temperatures and altering precipitation.
2. Climate change results in more extreme weather events and shifts in weather patterns.
3. Different types of precipitation include rain (liquid), snow (solid), and sleet (mixed).
4. Weather events like hurricanes can be forecasted using satellite imagery and computer models.
5. Urban areas create their own weather patterns due to heat from buildings and cars.
6. Weather impacts agriculture by influencing crop yields and planting schedules.
7. The jet stream can bring cold or warm air, affecting local weather.
8. Studying historical weather data helps us understand patterns and predict future events.
9. Satellites collect data on cloud cover and temperatures to help predict weather.
10. Extreme weather events can lead to flooding, loss of property, and displacement.
11. Ocean currents affect weather by regulating temperatures and influencing storm paths.
12. Thunderstorms form from rising warm air, which cools and condenses into rain.
13. El Niño can cause unusual weather patterns, like increased rainfall in some areas and droughts in others.
14. Altitude affects temperature because higher elevations are generally cooler.
15. Weather maps provide visual information about temperature, precipitation, and pressure systems.
16. Human activities, such as deforestation and industrial emissions, can influence local weather patterns.
17. Severe weather can impact human health by causing injuries, stress, and disease outbreaks.
18. Weather impacts energy consumption by increasing demand for heating or cooling.
19. Severe thunderstorms can produce heavy rain while tornadoes are fast, rotating winds that can cause destruction.
20. Technology helps mitigate weather effects through early warning systems and improved infrastructure.