Extreme Weather Articles
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Oklahoma Students Design Drones that Can Fly Into Tornadoes
If you want to know more about a Tornadoe what is the best way to do so? Sending manned aircrafts can be very dangerous, and remote controlled crafts cannot withstand the power of the…
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PLAN!T NOW Young Meteorologist Program
Have your kids be on the lookout for a new interactive online game that wiill take them on an adventure with lightning, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and winter storms! In this game…
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Be a Force of Nature
Have your kids learn how they can "be a force of nature" by knowing their own risk and take action against destructive extreme weather!
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Hurricanes Spawn Tornadoes
Tornadoes can form when hurricanes make landfall, and this tendency seems to have increased. Residents of hurricane-stricken areas should prepare for the eventuality of tornadoes.
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Chasing Ice
What is a glacier? A glacier is a slowly moving mass of ice that is formed by the accumulation of of snow near mountains! Watch as these scientists capture the largest glacier calving!
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Dangerous China Smog Off the Charts
This article discusses the issue of smog and the recent events in China, which has been plagued with this weather condition.
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Earthquake 'Fossils' Abundant, Says Study
This article explores pseudotachylytes, which are rocks made from earthquakes. The article claims that these rocks are more common then once thought.
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Superstorm Sandy aftermath: east coast of US struggles to get back to normal
View these pictures to assess the damage caused by hurricane Sandy.
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What is a Nor'Easter?
After a terrible run-in with Hurricane Sandy, the Northeastern United States also faces a Nor'easter. But what on earth is a Nor'easter?
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Hurricane at the Dinner Table
Hurricanes can have a terrible effect on agriculture. Children and adults can learn how this is possible as well as review some suggestions to help.
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Hurricane Sandy Pictures: Floods, Fire, Snow in the Aftermath
The aftermath of a hurricane can be devastating.View these photos of the East Coast to see the effects the hurricane Sandy.
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Tsunamis in the Alps?
Children will learn about new information regarding Tsunamis. They will learn about new information which may prove to be surprising.
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Hurricane Sandy Aftermath: What Happens to the Birds?
Hurricanes can be devastating for humans but they can also affect the wildlife in an area. Learn about this with birds.
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Hurricane Sandy: Why Full Moon Makes "Frankenstorm" More Monstrous
The moon can have a large effect on hurricane power. Learn how this can happen by learning about hurricane Sandy.
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After Sandy's New York Deluge, a Flood of Rats?
New York is witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Learn who the new visitors are in the city.
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What Is A Weather Balloon?
They've been mistaken for UFO's and were used to lift Felix Baumgartner into the stratosphere for a record breaking freefall jump. So, what is a weather balloon anyway? Read this art…
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Large Earthquakes Mimicked in the Lab
Scientists have found a way to re-create in the lab using a giant spinning wheel to dump a burst of energy onto rock.This wonderful article also features a video demonstrating this ex…
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Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
View this map of the United States to see the latest precipitation.
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What and Where is Tornado Alley?
Children and adults can learn all about tornado alley. Read about this region of the country and you might find out that you live in it!
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When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
This article offers some safety tips for when one encounters thunder.
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Experts answer tornado questions
Imagine a tornado hits and people are unprepared. Read this article to get answers about tornado safety.
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Overpasses and Tornado Safety
This article shares important information about tornado safety for both kids and adults. It counters misconceptions about safety.
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Oceans in Motion: Waves and Tides
This information section discusses questions regarding waves. This is an informative article.
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San Andreas Fault at Wallace Creek
Children and adults will learn about the San Andreas Fault in California. Read this article to learn all about this big fault!
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Living With Fault Lines: Kids Share Their Views
Children can read this article to learn how life is like living by a fault. They will relate to the expereince of kids their own age.
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Listening to Earthquakes
Does your child know how an earthquake sounds? Children can now listen to earthquake noise to hear how it sounds.
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SWPC Frequently Asked Questions
Does you child have an interest in earthquakes? Learn the information in this article to get their questions answered.
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Severe Weather Triggers Earthquakes
Monsoons and hurricanes can be stressful on their own, but did you know they can also trigger earthquakes? Read on to find out about some of the many conditions that put stress on fa…
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What makes hurricane winds so strong?
Why do Hurricane's have strong winds? Children can learn the answer by reading this article.
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Hydrologic Information Center - Flood Loss Data
This page lets kids view the cost of damage that floods cause year by year.
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Near-Space Lightning May Play Role in Climate
In this article from Discovery News, your students can learn about sprites, the super-fast, bright red lightning that takes place in the upper reaches of the atmosphere. This lightni…
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Forces of Nature: Tornadoes
In this article from National Geographic, your students can learn what a tornado is, how it can form, what kind of damage it can do, and much more.
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Stormwater Pollution
On this website, your students can learn about the different kinds of pollutants that rain water can pick up as it runs down the street into storm drains, and what they can do to help…
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Robot that moves like a roach, could find earthquake survivors
Learn all about Dynamic Autonomous Sprawled Hexapod (DASH). Created by UC Berkley, this robot has great potential to change the way responders conduct earthquake rescues.
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Self-learning robots to be used in earthquake, disaster rescue missions
This informative article delves into the world of robot technology and how advances may help search and resuce teams during earthquakes. In fact, researchers are working on a robot th…
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Will earthquakes ever be predictable?
Can an earthquake be predicatable? Scientists are employing new technology to explore the possibility of accurately predicting earthquakes far ahead of their occurance. This article e…
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Disaster in Haiti
The earthquake in Haiti was devastating for many people. This is a great article for children to learn how an earthquake affected the country.
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Forces of Nature
The National Geographic defines an earthquake in this presentation. The underlying reason why this natural phenomenon occurs is also explored.
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Fault Lines
Do you know where earthquake fault lines are in the world? Students can view this map to find out!
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How Do Earthquakes Generate Tsunamis?
Did you know that earthquakes can cause tsunamis? Learn how earthquakes can cause tsunamis.
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Turkey Earthquake 2011: Final Day Of Rescue Search
These pictures provide a first person account on how the earthquake affected the lives of Turkish inhabitants after the 2011 earthquake. Also, learn about the difficulty that people f…
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Protect Yourself During an Earthquake...Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
Learn how to protect yourself in the midst of an earthquake. Also, learn why old myths on earthquake safety are insufficient.
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Japan Earthquake: Robots Help Search For Survivors
Robots have helped in many different parts of the world. When a record earthquake in Japan occurred, robots were there to help. This article explores the amazing robots called in to h…
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Underwater robot probes depths for Istanbul quake clues
BOB (Bubbles OBservatory module) is a revolutionary robotics masterpiece, which is sent to the depths of the ocean to study gas bubble expulsions and earthquakes. This unique robot ha…
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100% Chance of an Earthquake
Do you know the probability of an earthquake occurring today? If you said about 100 percent, then you are correct. Learn why this is true!
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Continents in Collision: Pangea Ultima
Do you know how the earth will look like in 250 million years? Learn about continental drift due to plate tectonics as well as the science that supports it.
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Earthquake Facts & Earthquake Fantasy
Many misconceptions exist relating to earthquakes. Sometimes it is hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. This article answers some of the most commonly asked inquiries relate…
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What to Do During an Earthquake
Would you know how to survive if during an earthquake? Learn all about what to do in case of such an emergency.
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How Earthquakes Work
This article explores the basic information regarding earthquakes. One will learn about the different types of fault lines as well as how they cause earthquakes.
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Earthquakes In the Last Week
Earthquakes continuously occur all over the world. This live earthquake tracker lets one view the magnitude, location and news about the most recent earthquakes.
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Train Vs. Tornado
This video looks like a scene from a movie, but it's not! This is a reminder that tornadoes can be dangerous, even if you're "sheltered" in something as strong and sturdy as a train.
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Cars Vs. Tornadoes
This article describes the damage, sometimes even fatal, if one decides to take shelter within a car during a tornado. It is important for students and their families to know that the…
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What is Thunder?
Ask your students if it is possible to have a thunderstorm with thunder but no lightning. They might be shocked when they find out the answer.
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The Different Types of Lightning
Lightning doesn't always come from the clouds and head towards the ground. For example, lightning can go from cloud-to-cloud or even ground-to-cloud. Read more about these types of li…
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Lightning Imaging Sensor: Observing Lightning from Space
Did you know that NASA and the National Space Development Agency of Japan have a space instrument that can detect lightning that occurs in regions of the world? Learn about how this s…
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Weather Channel Terminology
Whenever there is a severe storm approaching, the meteorologist uses terms such as "warning" and "watch." What is the difference between the two? Find out here!
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Clouds
Clouds are good indicator of what the weather is going to be like. In this article, students can find out which clouds signal that a storm approaching and many other useful facts.
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The Water Cycle
The EPA created this nice animation to describe the water cycle. Not only will students enjoy it, they will also learn something from it too!
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Tsunami 101
Watch this National Geographic video on Tsunamis to learn how a tsunami is born and how destructive it can be!
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Floods 101
Watch this National Geographic video to learn about floods and why they are the #1 cause of death and destruction in America!
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Anatomy of a Thunderstorm
This animation describes the formation of a thunderstorm. It also explains how lightning and tornadoes possibly form from a thunderstorm system.
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Tornado Interactive
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This interactive gives a detailed explanation of how tornadoes form. There are also safety tips featured at the end. Be sure to read all of those; some of what you may think are the s…
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Tornadoes Are Nature's Most Violent Storms
There are lots of scary facts about tornadoes listed in this article. You and your students will definitely learn something new about tornadoes.
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Low-Lying Thai capital braces for weekend flooding
Thailand is experiencing one of its worst floods in half a century right now in 2011. Read this article to learn about the destruction caused by the flood and how Thailand is coping …
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Floods
Are all places in the world vunerable to flooding? Is rain the only cause of flooding? Read this National Geographic article to learn more about floods!
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Floods
Flooding is the world's most expensive type of natural disaster! Read this ESA Kids article to learn more about floods!
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Rain and Floods
Read this informative article to answer questions these questions about rain and floods. How does rain form? What causes rain? How big are raindrops? What is a flood? Does a flash flo…
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Top 10 Deadliest Natural Disasters in History
Learn about the 10 deadliest natural disasters in the history of the world! Most of the deadliest disasters involve earthquakes and floods.
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The Destructive Power of Water
Did you know how much of a destructive impact water can cause? Read this article to learn about the tsunami in Japan and how a seemingly harmless thing like water can make such a des…
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Life of a Tsunami
Initiation, Split, Amplification, and Run-up are four stages of the life of a tsunami. Learn what happens in each of the four stages and how they contribute to create a tsunami!
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Anatomy of a Tsunami
Watch these amazing simulations of the tsunami that occured December 26,2004! The simulation shows details of the initial generation in deep water until the destructive collision wit…
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How Tsunamis Work
Read this informative article to learn about the birth of a tsunami and the alteration of the Earth's structure that initiates a tsunami.
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Snowstorms Don't Produce Thunder & Lightning
The most severe thunderstorms happen during the spring and summer, but rarely occur during the wintertime. Why is that? Find out in this article.
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Can Skyscrapers Prevent Tornadoes?
Why do country people witness more tornadoes than big city people? Is it because there are skyscrapers present? Find out here if skyscrapers can affect or even prevent tornadoes from …
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How does hail form?
This video explains how hail can form, and why it is best to be prepared for a hail storm always, even during the summer. This video also shows how damaging hail can be, showing stude…
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Video of a Destructive Tornado
This video shows the intensity and violence of tornadoes; it gives a visual clue to why it is dangerous to be outside in a tornado. See sparks fly as this tornado knocks down power li…
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Inside a Tornado: Riding through the Storm
Storm Chasers strategically place a probe (a 7-camera device that collected other data like wind speed) right in a tornadoes path. Watch this unique view of a tornado here!
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Tim Samaras: Storm Chaser
If your students are interested in becoming storm chasers, direct them to watch this interview. Tim Samaras discusses his life as a professional storm chaser. He talks about his techn…
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Video Inside a Tornado
These storm chasers were brave enough (though quite insane) to go through a tornado. You and your students can watch a video of their experience here. Note: Please remind your student…
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The Facts (and Fiction) of Tornadoes
A couple of researchers answer questions about tornadoes in this article. Students can learn about interesting facts like why the sky sometimes turns green before a tornado hits.
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Make Lightning Strike
Did you know that people have a 1 out of 5000 chance of being struck by lightning? Yet, 9 out of 10 people who were unfortunate to be struck by lightning have survived. Students can …
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Interactive Weather Maker
Students will learn that polar and equatorial temperatures plus humidity play a huge role in determining the weather. A wide range of situations--from blizzards to overcast days--is r…
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Lightning Safety
It is important to instruct students and their families about lightning. In this great article, Gwen Bruno describes what proper precautions people need to take during a lightning storm.
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Stormchasers
In this article about storm chasers, Chris Kidler gives a great description about a typical storm chase. He also gives advice for future professional storm chasers.
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How is Lightning Formed?
Students will learn all about lightning in this article. In his "Sky Diary," Chris Kidler explains how lightning is formed and gives descriptions of the different forms of lightnin…
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How are Thunderstorms Formed?
Equipped with information and animations, students will learn about how thunderstorms form in this website. They will also learn about the different types of thunderstorms.
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Tsunami
This great article from Enchanted Learning gives you a very good description of tsunamis. Learn what a tsunami is, where the word tsunami came from, how a tsunami forms, characteristi…
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Tsunamis: Know what to do!
This animated video was made by the San Diego County to inform kids about tsunamis and what to do if you encounter one! The beach setting and the entertaining lecture from Mr. King …
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Tsunami Safety
This Weather Wiz Kids page will inform kids about Tsunami safety! Kids can learn about how to prepare for a tsunami, what to do during a tsunami and after a tsunami has occured.
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Tsunami: Killer Waves
Read this interesting National Geographic article about the causes and effects of tsunamis. Did you know tsunamis can reach heights over 100 feet and can travel as fast as 500 miles a…
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Flood Safety
Did you know that flash floods are the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S? It is very important to know what to do in the event that a flood occurs! Read this article to learn about…
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Life Cycle of a Hurricane
In this article from How Stuff Works, your students can find out what happens to a hurricane after it has formed.
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Defining a Hurricane
Your students can learn exactly what a hurricane is in this article from How Stuff Works.
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How Hurricanes Work
Your students can learn how hurricanes work in this introduction to hurricanes.
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Case Study: Typhoon Toraji
Your students can learn about a typhoon that hit east Asia in this article from National Geographic.
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Case Study: Hurricane Floyd
In this article from National Geographic, your students can learn about a hurricane that cause some some of the highest flooding in centuries in North Carolina.
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Case Study: Hurricane Andrew
In this article, your students can learn about one of the costliest hurricanes with some of the fastest winds to hit the United States.
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Case Study: Hurricane Hugo
Your students can learn about one of the costliest hurricanes to hit the East Coast in this article from National Geographic.
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Case Study: Hurricane Camille
Your students can learn about Hurricane Camille, one of the strongest hurricanes of the twentieth century, and its effects in this article from National Geographic.
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Case Study: Galveston Hurricane
Your students can learn about the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States and its ramifications in this article from National Geographic.
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Hurricanes of History -- From Dinosaur Times to Today
In this article from National Geographic, your students can learn about how hurricanes have affected history, from Columbus to the dinosaurs.
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Hurricanes Impact Our Lives
Your students can look at images from hurricanes to get a better idea of how hurricanes can impact someone's day to day life.
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Surviving Hurricane Carla
Your students can learn more about hurricanes in this first hand account of Hurricane Carla. They can also compare the safety techniques used today to those employed fifty years ago.
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Hurricanes: An Animated Guide
In this animated guide to hurricanes from BBC, you students can do more than read about how a hurricane works. They can see it with their own eyes.
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Hurricane Preparedness: Get a Plan!
In this video from the National Hurricane Center, your students can learn from FEMA about the importance of having a plan for when a hurricane strikes, and where the best place to go …
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Hurricane Preparedness: The NOAA Team Effort
In this video from the National Hurricane Center, your students can learn all about the tools that NOAA uses to measure and predict the path of live hurricanes.
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Hurricane Preparedness: Inland Flooding
In this video from the National Hurricane Center, your students can learn about the danger posed by inland flooding caused by hurricanes.
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Hurricane Preparedness: Storm Surge
In this video from the National Hurricane Center, your students can learn about storm surge, one of the hazards caused by hurricanes.
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2011 hurricane season costliest, deadliest in three years
In this article from USA Today, your students can learn about the damages done by hurricanes in 2011. This can help make the abstract idea of a hurricane much more real and concrete.
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Hurricane Irene
Your students can get a more realistic idea of the damage done by tornadoes in this album put together by USA Today of the damage done by Hurricane Irene.
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Japanese Company Hopes to Deploy Fleets of Submarines to Stop Typhoons
In this article, your students can learn that hurricanes are not just an American problem. They can learn about what Japanese scientist are trying to do in order to lower the strengt…
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5 Bold Ideas For A Hurricane-Proof New Orleans
In this article, your students can learn about five innovative ways to protect New Orleans from hurricanes like Hurricane Katrina.
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NASA Launches Unprecedented Drone Mission to Study the Mysteries of Hurricane Formation
In this article, your students will discover that NASA does more than explore space. They can see what NASA is doing to discover more about how hurricanes form.
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Hurricane Busters
In this article, your students can learn why fluid-dynamics engineer Arkady Leonov thinks something as simple as a jet plane could stop a hurricane.
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New Climate Models Predict Hurricane Seasons Years in Advance
In this article, your students can learn how scientists developed a model to be able to predict the number of hurricanes a season years in advance.
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Can We Stop Storms?
From this article, your students can learn about what scientists are trying in order to stop a hurricane before it even starts.
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The History of the Hurricane Hunters
Your students can learn all about the history of the Hurricane Hunters, a squadron of the Air Force, in this article on their official website.
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The People of the Hurricane Hunters
Your students can learn all about the positions on a mission performed by the Hurricane Hunters, a squadron of the Air Force, in this article on their official website.
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The Aircraft of the Hurricane Hunters
Your students can learn all about the planes used by the Hurricane Hunters, a squadron of the Air Force, in this article on their official website.
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The Mission of the Hurricane Hunters
Your students can learn all about the mission of the Hurricane Hunters, a squadron of the Air Force, in this article on their official website.
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How a Hurricane is Born--The Science of Superstorms
In this video, your students can follow a hurricane all the way back to its roots in sub-Saharan Africa in this video by the BBC.
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Which Part of a Hurricane Packs the Worst Punch?
When Hurricane Hunters fly through a hurricane, they already have an idea of what part of the hurricane will be strongest. In this article, your students can click on different parts…
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How do Hurricanes form?
In this kid friendly article by NASA, your students can learn all about how and why hurricanes form. They can also watch a cool video showing the formation of Hurricane Katrina from …
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Tropical Tracks
On this map, your kids can see the paths that all of this year’s hurricanes and tropical storms followed in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Hurricane Supply Checklist
When it comes to hurricanes, being prepared is always a good plan. Your kids can look at this checklist to see what they should have on hand in case their families decide to ride out…
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Hurricane Evacuation Tips
Hurricanes can be scary, and learning about what to do if a hurricane ever heads their way can help kids be less afraid. In this article on Weather Whiz Kids, your kids can learn the…
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Hurricanes
This article, found on kid friendly website Weather Whiz Kids created by meteorologist Crystal Wicker, contains all of the basics on hurricanes. Your kids can learn about ever…
