How Can We Predict Extreme Winter Weather?
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Provided by: Science Journal for Kids|Published on: June 3, 2025
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource from Science Journal for Kids is a student-friendly adaptation of a scientific report detailing research on weak polar vortexes and their impact on weather.
- The resource also includes links to the original scientific report and additional resources for teaching on this topic.
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Science Journal for Kids
Region: Polar Regions, Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The use of visual aids, highlighting key points, and using kid-friendly language make the information in this report easily accessible for learners.
- Many students may have experiences with extreme or unusual winter weather and can easily make text-to-self connections while reading this report.
Prerequisites
- Teachers may want to visit the Glossary of Terms at the end of the report with students prior to reading the report.
- Teachers will have to enter their name, email, and some information about their school to access the teacher guides.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers can use the discussion section of this report to segue into the topic of human-caused climate change and the actions that warm the atmosphere and, consequently, the ocean.
- After reading the report, students can create public service announcements to inform others about how to stay safe in a polar vortex. Students can use evidence from the report to introduce their PSA.
- Teachers can check out the linked resources to connect this report to ready-made lessons, like this one about how climate change is linked to extreme winter weather.
- To read this report as a class or use it with auditory learners, teachers can use the read-aloud video embedded on the page.
The Hadley cells control the flow of air in the tropics, and the polar vortex changes the flow of air in the polar regions. This makes the weather unpredictable in temperate areas and causes changes in the Northern Pacific Ocean. It is useful to study these processes to improve the plausibility of winter weather predictions. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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