Using live images from real tornado damages, PBS asks users to rate the Fujita scale that could have caused the damages. While the Enhanced Fujita scale is not discussed, the activity is simple and links to more information on the
Hunt for the Supertwister. This site is definitely worth checking out.
Fun for all ages, this interactive weather site uses flash animation to describe everything from the weather on other planets, to why the sky is blue, and to how satellites are used in weather studies. I highly recommend this site for anyone of all ages.
Making a rainbow in this simulation is easy. Students and other users adjust the size and number of raindrops as well as choosing primary or secondary rainbows. Then, as the distance to the rain is manipulated, users can see where and how a rainbow will form. Great for a younger crowd.
Anyone wishing to understand the delicate radiation balance on earth needs to see this animation which demonstrates earth's energy budget. Simple and easy to use, this activity is short but effective. I equate this animation to a live version of the typical radiation budget diagram shown in almost all middle school and high school textbooks.
As part of a series of animations, students can watch a raindrop as it makes its way through the water cycle on earth. Placing a cursor over key areas will produce a text box explaining the steps of the hydrological cycle. Because of the nature of the topic, this animation is best suited for a younger audience.
Using specific events and data from past storms, this site aims to teach meteorology to more advanced students by having them understand the associated weather maps. Users can set the animation speed and discuss the weather maps shown.
This global warming activity is a must-see weather lesson. I cannot say enough good things about the virtual
ScienceCourseware.org site. I have used the online earthquake lab in my own classroom year after year. Expect to explore human and naturally induced climate change as well as discussions for the future. Teachers have to be very familiar with the lesson in order to help students through the activity.
Using an avatar, users can enter into a Second Life virtual world and explore meteorology. The Earth System Research Lab (ESRL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been developing a weather and ocean tour that puts you in control of a virtual weather world known as "Meteora". While this resource takes longer to set up, I have given a full description of how to set up the
Meteora program.
This graphic is a bit more detailed in showing the development of a tornado with fewer words. I like how this one shows the frontal systems necessary for the development of severe weather and tornadoes.
