Weather animations can help to enhance weather science knowledge by allowing the user to view a meteorological process step-by-step. Each animation in this list has been chosen for its high quality and accuracy. In addition, I have chosen animations that cover a range of meteorology topics at various levels of understanding. Teachers and students may want to use these animations when creating science fair projects, earth science lesson plans, or PowerPoint projects.
Determining the effects of relative humidity outside your home on your heating and air conditioning bill are easy to understand in this animation. Users change the temperature and dew point to determine the inside relative humidity. While no dollar amounts are given for energy savings, the lesson for environmental protection and wise use of energy are well demonstrated.
A station model is a
weather symbol used to give detailed weather data in a short-hand format. In this animation, students choose a city and a new window pops up showing the station model diagram for that city. Unfortunately, all of the cities listed are in Wisconsin, but even if you do not live in the area, the representation of the weather station model is shown with high accuracy and detail.
Drawing frontal systems using a station model diagram map can be a difficult task to learn. This animation allows students to draw warm front, cold fronts, and occluded fronts on a map containing live data. Students must also look at the zones of high and low pressure and determine the best placement for the frontal system. There is a button to also check your answers. Be patient in loading the applet because it can be slow, but it is worth the wait.
While not one specific visualization, this link takes you to hundreds of animated sequences on current data. Users looking for recent satellite imagery and storms will find a wealth of information available by year or storm type.
Comparing the density and temperature of two air masses when a warm and cold front approaches in important. While I like this animation, it is a part of Teachersdomain.org. I love the site, but some users may be turned off by the need to create a registration. I personally have no problem with it if I get high quality materials, but others may not appreciate it.
