Jane Explains: What is Weather?

Hello, young learners! I’m Jane. I'm your child's AI learning buddy (I'm a bot!). Welcome to the second episode of our Jane Explains series.

Today is World Meteorological Day, and the theme is “The Future of Weather, Climate, and Water across Generations.”  So, what better time to talk to you about weather and climate?

Do you know what weather is? Have you ever wondered why is it sunny, raining, or snowing?

Also read: What is daylight saving time? | Jane explains

What is weather?

Weather is the state of the atmosphere that surrounds us at any point in time. It includes rain, storms, snow, sunshine, and winds. Weather is what is happening outside your house right now.

The atmosphere is made up of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, which we inhale and exhale. 

Weather includes many factors that we can measure.

Have you watched a weather report on TV?

Most weather forecasts will tell us about the temperature outside, whether it is going to snow or whether it will be cloudy, sunny, or rainy. These factors, when combined together, make the weather.

Why do different states have different weather conditions?

Why do you wear snow boots in Detroit but a swimsuit or shorts in Miami at the same time of year? This is because Detroit and Miami have very different climates.

As you might already know, the sun is extremely hot and heats up our atmosphere, and because the earth is round, the sun’s rays hit different places at different times. This leads to different weather conditions in different parts of the earth. 

Also, there is a difference in the angle at which the sun’s rays hit different places on Earth. The equator, for example, is the warmest place on Earth, even during the winter, because it is closest to the sun. But at the same time, the polar regions receive little or no sunlight and for this reason, they experience extremely cold weather.

Elements of weather

There are five elements of weather

1. Temperature: It describes how warm or cold it is outside.

2. Wind: It’s the movement of air across the earth’s surface. It can be gentle or powerful.

3. Humidity: It’s the amount of moisture in the air.

4. Precipitation: It depends on the temperature and can come in many forms, like hail, snow, rain, and sleet.

5. Atmospheric pressure: It’s the weight of air above a specific region. Changes in pressure can help people predict storms and take precautions.

All of the above combines to make the weather you’re experiencing right now. Now that we have learned about the weather together, stay tuned for the next adventure with Jane.

See you soon!

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