The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it. Well, Fast Forward does! We interview multiple on-air and off-air Weather Channel employees, showing a variety of opportunities: meteorologists, radio personalities, designers, and IT personnel. This episode also includes a string of weather-related Teachable Moments, such as explanations about dew point and different types of clouds, what actually causes weather, why the "feels like" temperature is different from the actual temperature, the basics of lightning, and more.
Construct an explanation of how weather instruments (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, and anemometer) are used in gathering weather data and making forecasts.
Interpret data from weather maps, including fronts (warm, cold, and stationary), temperature, pressure, and precipitation to make an informed prediction about tomorrow's weather.
Ask questions and use observations of cloud types (cirrus, stratus, and cumulus) and data of weather conditions to predict weather events.
Construct an explanation based on research to communicate the difference between weather and climate.
Construct an explanation of the relationship between air pressure, weather fronts, and air masses and meteorological events such as tornados and thunderstorms.
Analyze and interpret weather data to explain the effects of moisture evaporating from the ocean on weather patterns and weather events such as hurricanes.
Develop and use models to explain how latitudinal variations in solar heating create differences in air pressure, global wind patterns, and ocean currents that redistribute heat globally.
Analyze and interpret data (e.g., maps, meteograms, and weather apps) that demonstrate how the interaction and movement of air masses creates weather.
Construct an argument that predicts weather patterns based on interactions among ocean currents, air masses, and topography.
Construct an explanation that describes the conditions that generate extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms) and the hazards associated with these events.
1. Why is it important to have people studying the weather and making forecasts?
2. If much of what the weather channel does is make educated predictions about future conditions, what other jobs do something similar?
Meteorologist: someone who studies the atmosphere and weather; a weather forecaster
Graphic Design: the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books
Dew Point: the temperature at which the moisture in the air forms visible drops of water : the temperature at which dew forms
Humidity: moisture in the air
Heat Index: a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature
Molecule: the smallest possible amount of a particular substance that has all the characteristics of that substance
Windchill: a temperature that shows how cold the air feels because of the wind
Cumulus: a type of thick cloud that is rounded on top and has a flat base
Stratus: are low-level clouds characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base
Nimbostratus: dark gray clouds that have ragged bases and sit low in the sky; associated with continuous rain or snow
Particle: a very small piece of something
Radiation: energy that comes from a source in the form of waves or rays you cannot see
David Blumenthal, Jazmine Maddox, Jen Carfagno, Brandon Wright, Jonathan Erdman, Alexandros Salazar, Nick Wiltgen, Mark Thibodeau, Danielle Banks, Scott Frazier, Rogeria Arnold, Scott Kurtz
This content was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.