Grade 3
Weather and Climate
Weather data, regional climates, weather hazards, and water cycle connections.
3-ESS2-1, 3-ESS2-2, 3-ESS3-1, 3-ESS2-3
4 lessons
100 quiz questions
Lesson 1: Measuring Weather
Collect and compare weather data to describe local conditions.
Learning goals
- Record temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation.
- Use tables or graphs to show weather patterns.
- Compare weather observations over time.
Weather data
Weather describes the condition of the air at a place and time. Students can collect data about temperature, precipitation, wind, and clouds.
Patterns over time
One observation is useful, but many observations help show patterns. A week of data can show whether days are getting warmer, cooler, wetter, or windier.
Lesson 2: Climate Regions
Compare typical weather in different regions.
Learning goals
- Define climate as typical weather over a long time.
- Compare climates in different regions.
- Use data to describe seasonal patterns.
Climate is typical weather
Climate describes the usual weather patterns in a region over many years. A desert climate is often dry, while a tropical climate is usually warm and wet.
Regions differ
Different places have different climates because of location, elevation, nearby water, and other factors. Climate affects the plants and animals that can live there.
Lesson 3: Weather Hazards
Study severe weather and ways people reduce its impacts.
Learning goals
- Identify examples of weather hazards.
- Describe how hazards can affect communities.
- Compare ways to reduce weather-related problems.
Hazards can cause damage
Weather hazards include thunderstorms, floods, blizzards, hurricanes, heat waves, and droughts. These events can damage homes, roads, crops, and habitats.
Reducing impacts
People use forecasts, warning systems, shelters, drainage, and emergency plans to reduce harm from weather hazards.
Lesson 4: Water in Weather
Connect weather observations to evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Learning goals
- Describe evaporation and condensation.
- Explain how clouds and precipitation form.
- Connect water movement to weather.
Water changes form
Water can evaporate from Earth's surface into the air. Water vapor can cool and condense into tiny droplets that form clouds.
Precipitation
When cloud droplets or ice crystals become heavy enough, they fall as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This movement of water is part of the water cycle.