Authors:
Russ Burroughs, Harford Day School, Bel Air, Maryland
Edward Earle, Norwood School, Bethesda, Maryland
Sue McDonald, Canton Middle School, Baltimore, Maryland
Linda Webb, Jarrettsville Elementary School, Jarrettsville, Maryland
Grade Level: 4–6
Objectives:
Students will use satellite images and weather (outcome) maps to forecast weather for
the Maryland region.
Rationale:
Students will be able to see the relationship between satellite images, weather maps,
and forecasting.
Essential Learnings:
- Weather across the Northern Hemisphere can follow recognizable patterns.
- Satellite images show the movements of air masses that affect weather.
- Cloud movement and types are related to the weather in a region.
- The presence of clouds does not necessarily indicate any weather activity.
Relevant Disciplines:
Earth and Space Science, geography of North America, math (movement measure-
ments, scale, temperature differences), language arts (predicting and writing a weather
forecast report)
Time Requirements:
Allotted 45 minute classes will be used as follows:
- one 15-minute class
- two to three 30-minute classes
- one 45-minute class
Image Format:
GOES and APT, visible images
Prerequisite Skills:
- Knowledge of weather symbols
2. The ability to recognize cloud masses on a satellite image and associated weather
maps
- An understanding of the use of weather instruments to collect data on
temperature, wind, etc.
Vocabulary:
forecast, front, imagery, precipitation, stationary, temperature
Materials:
- Weather maps from local papers (several days in succession)
- GOES or APT satellite images for the same days as the accumulated weather maps
- Student map of the United States
- Student weather forecast sheet
FO R E C A S T I N G T H E WE AT H E R:
SAT E L L I T E IM A G E S & WE AT H E R MA P S
