Unit 4: Weather Systems

Tornadoes are a common extreme weather phenomenon in Canada. How are they formed? How can you stay safe? And what is a storm chaser?

Learn why we have seasons in this hands on activity.

Make a model of the water cycle and find out how water moves around on planet Earth.

Meteorologists use computer models to predict the weather. Learn why, despite advances in computer science, meteorologists still get it wrong sometimes.

Oceans absorb the greatest amount of solar radiation on Earth. Ocean warming can lead to glaciers melting and ocean acidification.

Explore the greenhouse effect and learn about the impacts it can have on the environment.

5 images of cumulus clouds that are white, puffy clouds with a flat base at mid level and are often associated with fair weather

10 images of some snowflake crystals and some winter scenes with snow

5 images of stratus clouds that cover a wide horizontal layer in the sky at low level and are often associated with rain or drizzle

Learn about the chemical reaction that happens between acid rain and limestone.

Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification. Learn about cloud seeding, as well as its risks and benefits.

15 images of various instruments such as rain gauges, wind vanes and weather satellites used to inform us about the weather

5 images of cirrus clouds that are wispy or feather-like clouds at high level, made of ice crystals and may indicate an approaching storm

11 images that illustrate some daily weather conditions such as cold, hot and windy

Temperature is an important part of life on Earth and life in space. This backgrounder explains what temperature is, how it affects people and how it is controlled on the International Space Station.