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Weather Symbols and the Weather Map

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Basics on the topic Weather Symbols and the Weather Map

Weather Symbols in Elementary School

Have you ever wondered today what the weather will be like tomorrow? Or do you already know the weather forecast for tomorrow? Which symbols did you see on the weather map? Was it a sun or maybe a cloud with raindrops?

There are different symbols for the weather. That's why it's exciting to learn the weather symbols for elementary school in science class. You can find out what the weather symbols mean and what they look like here.

SEO_25877_26491_Weather_symbols.svg

Who Creates The Weather Maps?

Weather maps are prepared by meteorologists. These are professionals who are knowledgeable about the weather and create weather forecasts every day. On weather maps, you can see what the weather will be like in a specific city based on the weather symbols.

On this weather map of the United States, you can see what the weather will be like, for example, in Chicago or in your hometown:

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Explanation of Important Weather Symbols

On the weather map, there are various weather symbols that you learn in elementary school. Weather symbols are also called meteorological signs. But what weather symbols are there?

Take another look at the weather map of the United States above. There is a number in front of each weather symbol. In the table, you can find the meaning of the weather symbols using the number:

Number Weather Symbol Meaning Weather Forecast
1 Sun sunny It will be sunny in San Diego.
2 Sun with Cloud partly cloudy It will be partly cloudy in St. Louis.
3 Two Clouds mostly cloudy It will be mostly cloudy in Detroit.
4 Cloud with Raindrops rain It will rain in New Orleans.
5 Cloud with Lightning and Raindrops thunderstorm There will be thunderstorms in Tampa.
6 Cloud with Snowflakes snow It is expected to snow in Denver.
7 Cloud with Wave Lines fog It will be foggy in Atlanta.
8 Cloud with Hailstones hail There will be hail in Boston.
9 °F (Fahrenheit) Temperature It will be 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas.

There are different weather symbols for precipitation that are also learned in elementary school. Precipitation is not just rain, but also hail, snow, and thunderstorms.

Weather Symbols – Temperature

In addition to the weather symbols, there are other signs on the weather map, such as the symbol for degrees Fahrenheit: °F. The superscript circle represents degrees. The F stands for Fahrenheit. It is the symbol you use to indicate the temperature. It shows you how warm or cold it will be on a day: For example, if the number 70 is in front of the symbol °F, it means: It will be 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if there is a minus sign (-) in front of a number like 1, it means that it will be -1 (pronounced minus one) degrees.

Now you are a real weather expert and can explain the weather symbols and their meanings to your classmates in elementary school.

Transcript Weather Symbols and the Weather Map

What does Uma have there? Is that a weather machine and a remote? She just pressed the cloud symbol. Can she use it to control the weather? Let's take a look at "Weather Symbols and the Weather Map!" On weather maps like this one, you can read exactly what the weather will be like in a place using symbols. Weather symbols are just pictures that show the type of weather like sun, rain, and wind. But who makes weather maps in the first place? That's what weather people, or meteorologists, do. They study and describe the weather. To do this, they use weather stations around the United States and all over the world. They collect lots of information each day so weather maps can show the weather for several days. But do you know what the weather symbols mean? Let's take a look at the most important ones on a weather map of the United States. Let's start with the sun symbol here over Phoenix, Arizona. What does it mean? It's going to be sunny in Phoenix. There are no clouds, only the sun! Don't forget your sunglasses and sunscreen! But what if there is ONE cloud in front of the sun? Like here in Cape May, New Jersey. Then it is a little or "partly cloudy". You can say, "It will be partly cloudy in Cape May." The sun is still out, so we can still enjoy the outdoors!! Can you find the cloud symbol on Uma's weather map? Here near Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, it will be very cloudy. There will be many clouds in the sky, but no rain just yet. And how is the weather in Portland, Oregon? There is a cloud with rain. That means it's going to rain in Portland. In the city, we'll probably need an umbrella, a rain jacket and rain boots. Were those all the symbols already? Not quite, there are many other forms of rain. Like hail, for example. This is the hail symbol, here, near Dallas. There will be hail in Texas. Do you also see a cloud with raindrops and lightning? Exactly! Near Miami, Florida. The symbol tells you: There will be thunderstorms in Miami. Thunder and lightning are coming. It could get loud! We should go indoors. And how will the weather be in Chicago, Illinois? There is a cloud with snowflakes. Snow is supposed to fall in Chicago. We need warm clothes here. But what do the wavy lines mean here in San Francisco, California? They show us fog: It will be foggy in San Francisco. Be careful, you can't see well here! Wow, that was a lot of weather symbols. Here you see the most important weather symbols again. What does Uma actually do? Oh no! Uma, we just can't control the weather with machines!

4 comments
4 comments
  1. I love rain

    From Abu, 7 months ago
  2. i love sun

    From Aleena, over 1 year ago
  3. It is windy at our houses 🏘️

    From Dale, over 1 year ago
  4. great video

    From Emma, almost 2 years ago

Weather Symbols and the Weather Map exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Weather Symbols and the Weather Map.
  • What does each symbol represent?

    Hints

    What type of weather can you see on the symbol?

    For example, this symbol is partly cloudy. We can see a cloud and part of the sun.

    Solution

    Here we can see the symbols matched correctly.

  • What do you know about the weather?

    Hints

    What do we call these?

    What is another name for people who do the weather forecast?

    Solution

    On a weather map like this, you can tell what the weather will be like in different places using symbols.

    Weather symbols are pictures that show the different types of weather.

    Weather people, or meteorologists, create the weather maps.

    To do this, they use weather stations around the United States and the rest of the world.

  • What might you need for the weather?

    Hints

    If it is rainy, it is wet. What might you need for wet weather?

    When it is warm and sunny we need things to keep us safe. Which of these items protect us from the sun?

    Solution

    If it is sunny, you could need:

    • sun block
    • sandals
    • sunglasses
    If it is rainy, you could need:
    • rain coat
    • umbrella
    • rain boots

  • What is the weather like?

    Hints

    What can you see on the symbol?

    Remember, there are different types of precipitation.

    Solution

    Here we can see the correctly labeled symbols.

  • Which is the correct symbol?

    Hints

    Can you see snowflakes on any of the symbols?

    The symbol also has a cloud on it.

    Solution

    This is the symbol we would see on a weather map if the weather is snowy.

  • Can you read the weather map?

    Hints

    Look at the symbol next to each place name, what does it tell you?

    For example, this tells us that it will be foggy in San Francisco, California.

    Solution
    • In Cape May, New Jersey it will be partly cloudy.
    • In Phoenix, Arizona it will be sunny today.
    • In Seattle, Washington it will be cloudy.
    • In Chicago, Illinois snow will fall.
    • In Miami, Florida there will be storms.
    • In Portland, Oregon you might need an umbrella as it is likely to rain.