To children, the weather is extremely mysterious. I can remember being a child and being very confused to how weather can be forecasted by using pressure rises or pressure falls from a barometer. The barometer said stormy on one side and fair on the other side. I remember thinking, "how does the barometer know when to point to fair or stormy?" Simplicity is the key to having children understand concepts that we take for granted now. The high pressure "H" on a surface map stands for 'happy'. Happy weather means sunshine and nice weather. The "H" also stands for heavy. Heavy air is associated with nice weather. Many children incorrectly think the "H" stands for hot. High pressure can be cold and happy or it can be warm and happy. The low pressure "L" on weather charts stands for 'lousy'. Lousy weather has plenty of clouds and rain. The "L" also stands for light. Light air rises and produces clouds and rain, just like a helium balloon rises. Front colors can be used to show kids if it will get colder or warmer. Blue is a cold color and thus blue triangles mean colder air. Red is a warm color and thus red semicircles mean warmer air. Kids often do not have the concept that fronts move. Showing frontal movement helps them understand that warmer and colder air moves around. Many of you participate in school visits and teaching meteorology to children. Some topics you may be an expert on explaining to kids are: What creates a cloud? and What causes snow? Etc. |