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Weather Start: Weather and Seasons

A little girl and her grandfather spend a summer afternoon sitting by a pond. The conversation changes from how warm the summer day is to how the pond gets cold and freezes in the winter. The grandfather helps the girl understand how the sun controls temperature and the seasons while the girl describes how to dress for different weather and seasons. Both discuss how meteorologists predict weather using weather instruments, and how those predictions help people live comfortably. They conclude that all weather has a purpose and can be appreciated and enjoyed if we are prepared for it.

Weather Start: Sun, Heat, Air and Wind

A curious pre-school child asks questions to a big kid about how weather works. Every answer is enlightening yet leads to another question. The little child learns that wind is air that moves, that may be gentle or strong and even continue at night. Wind can do work for people, making our lives easier. The big kid explains how our bodies sense wind and how meteorologists use weather instruments to determine wind speed and direction. At the end of the program the pre-school child surprises the big kid by summarizing everything he learned and reciting the principle that the sun sends heat to Earth which makes air move as wind. The moral of the story is asking questions makes us smarter.

Weather Start: Clouds, Rain and the Water Cycle

A rainy day spent inside helps a little boy learn about clouds and the water cycle from his mother. He sees the value of rain to plants, animals, people and the planet, even when the rain is not convenient for him. As the rain diminishes he and his mother dress properly for the wet weather and go exploring. They find the water cycle in action as creeks flow fast, ponds are full, and clouds continue to make rain in the distance. The boy learns new vocabulary of condensation, precipitation, evaporation, runoff, radar, meteorologist and water cycle. The mother and son apply principles of the water cycle to snow and to cold weather too.

Weather Start: Storms

Children on a playground use creativity and their imaginations to simulate the many different types of storms found on Earth. From thunderstorms to wind storms, to snow storms and rain storms, to hurricanes and tornadoes, the children conclude that storms are a natural part of Earth trying to stay in balance by smoothing out temperature and moisture. They compare and contrast storms in their sizes, locations, strengths and positive and negative impacts on society. The kids share stories on stormy weather and how it's not so scary if you understand it and prepare for it. Meteorologists are credited with giving safety information for where to go and what to do when storms are coming.