Types of Weather
Look outside! What do you see? Is it sunny? Rainy? Cloudy? Weather is what the sky and air are like outside. Let's learn about all the different types of weather!
Learn
Weather tells us what it's like outside right now. Is it hot or cold? Wet or dry? Windy or calm? Weather can change every day - that's what makes it so interesting!
Meet the Different Types of Weather!
Sunny Weather
When it's sunny, the sun is shining bright! The sky is blue with few or no clouds. Sunny days are usually warm and great for playing outside.
What to wear: Light clothes, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin!
Fun activities: Playing at the park, having a picnic, riding bikes
Rainy Weather
When it rains, water falls from the clouds! Rain helps plants grow and fills up lakes and rivers. You might hear the rain go "pitter-patter" on the roof.
What to wear: Rain boots, a raincoat, and don't forget an umbrella!
Fun activities: Jumping in puddles, watching raindrops on the window, reading cozy books inside
Cloudy Weather
Cloudy days have lots of clouds covering the sky. The sun is hiding behind the clouds! It might look gray outside. Cloudy days can be cool.
What to wear: A light jacket, just in case!
Fun activities: Looking for shapes in the clouds, taking walks, playing games
Windy Weather
Wind is air that moves! On windy days, you can feel the air blowing on your face. Wind makes trees sway, flags wave, and leaves dance around.
What to wear: A jacket or sweater that zips up tight!
Fun activities: Flying kites, watching pinwheels spin, blowing bubbles and watching them fly away
Snowy Weather
Snow is frozen water that falls from clouds when it's very cold! Snowflakes are white and fluffy. Snow covers everything and makes the world look magical.
What to wear: Warm coat, hat, mittens, scarf, and snow boots!
Fun activities: Building snowmen, making snow angels, sledding, catching snowflakes on your tongue
Stormy Weather
Storms bring heavy rain, loud thunder, and bright lightning! Thunder is the loud BOOM sound, and lightning is the bright flash in the sky. Storms can be scary, but they don't last long.
What to do: Stay inside where it's safe. Don't stand under trees.
Fun activities: Counting between lightning and thunder, reading books, playing inside
Examples
Let's practice describing weather and choosing what to do!
Example 1: A Summer Day
What you see: The sun is shining bright. The sky is blue. It feels warm on your skin.
What type of weather is this? This is SUNNY weather!
What should you wear? Shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals. Don't forget sunscreen!
Example 2: A Spring Morning
What you see: Drops of water are falling from the sky. You can hear "pitter-patter" on the window. There are puddles on the ground.
What type of weather is this? This is RAINY weather!
What should you wear? Rain boots and a raincoat. Grab an umbrella too!
Example 3: A Winter Day
What you see: White fluffy stuff is falling from the sky. Everything outside is covered in white. It's very cold!
What type of weather is this? This is SNOWY weather!
What should you wear? A warm coat, hat, mittens, scarf, and snow boots!
Example 4: A Fall Afternoon
What you see: Leaves are blowing around. Tree branches are swaying. Your hair is blowing in different directions!
What type of weather is this? This is WINDY weather!
What should you wear? A jacket that zips up so it doesn't blow open!
Example 5: A Gray Day
What you see: The sky is gray. You can't see the sun because clouds are covering it. It's not raining, but it looks like it might.
What type of weather is this? This is CLOUDY weather!
What should you wear? Bring a light jacket, just in case it rains!
Practice Problems
Think about each question and pick the best answer!
Problem 1
The sky is bright blue and the sun is shining. What type of weather is it?
Show Answer
Sunny! Blue sky + bright sun = sunny weather!
Problem 2
Water is falling from the sky and making puddles. What type of weather is it?
Show Answer
Rainy! Water falling from the sky is rain!
Problem 3
It's rainy outside. Which should you wear: sandals or rain boots?
Show Answer
Rain boots! Rain boots keep your feet dry when you step in puddles!
Problem 4
The leaves are blowing off the trees and your kite is flying high. What type of weather is it?
Show Answer
Windy! Wind makes things blow and fly!
Problem 5
It's snowing outside! What should you NOT wear?
a) Mittens b) Shorts c) Winter coat d) Boots
Show Answer
b) Shorts! Shorts are for warm weather. When it snows, you need warm clothes!
Problem 6
You hear BOOM! and see a bright flash in the sky. What type of weather is this?
Show Answer
Stormy! Thunder makes the BOOM sound and lightning makes the bright flash!
Problem 7
The sky is gray and covered with clouds, but it's not raining. What type of weather is it?
Show Answer
Cloudy! When clouds cover the sky but there's no rain, it's cloudy weather.
Problem 8
Which type of weather helps plants grow: sunny, rainy, or snowy?
Show Answer
Rainy! Plants need water to grow, and rain gives them water. (Plants also need sun, but rain gives them their drink!)
Problem 9
What's a fun activity for a windy day?
Show Answer
Flying a kite! Wind makes kites soar high in the sky!
Problem 10
White, fluffy, cold stuff is falling from the sky. What is it?
Show Answer
Snow! Snow is white, fluffy, and falls when it's very cold outside!
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
What is weather?
Show Answer
Weather is what the sky and air are like outside - if it's hot or cold, wet or dry, sunny or cloudy, calm or windy!
Question 2
Name three types of weather.
Show Answer
Any three of these: Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy, Windy, Snowy, Stormy
Question 3
Why do we need to pay attention to the weather?
Show Answer
We need to know the weather so we can wear the right clothes and plan fun activities! It also helps us stay safe during storms.
Question 4
What should you do during a thunderstorm?
Show Answer
Stay inside where it's safe! Don't stand under trees or near windows.
Next Steps
Be a Weather Reporter!
Every day for a week, look outside and tell someone about the weather:
- What type of weather is it?
- Is it hot or cold?
- What clothes should you wear?
You can even draw a picture of the weather each day!
- Keep watching the weather every day
- Notice how weather changes from morning to night
- Ready to learn more? Check out The Four Seasons to see how weather changes throughout the year!