Weather forecast facts for kids

A weather forecast is a prediction of what the weather will be in the future. Weather stations measure things such as temperature, air pressure and cloud cover. Meteorologists use these measurements and fluid dynamics and other methods to predict the weather. A forecast for many days in the future is less trustworthy than one for tomorrow or the next day.

Images for kids

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  Forecast of surface pressures five days into the future for the North Pacific, North America, and the North Atlantic Ocean

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  The Royal Charter sank in an 1859 storm, stimulating the establishment of modern weather forecasting.

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  Weather map of Europe, December 10, 1887.

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  An example of 500 mbar geopotential height and absolute vorticity prediction from a numerical weather prediction model

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  Modern weather predictions aid in timely evacuations and potentially save lives and prevent property damage

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  Marestail shows moisture at high altitude, signalling the later arrival of wet weather.

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  An example of 500 mbar geopotential height prediction from a numerical weather prediction model

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  Ash cloud from the 2008 eruption of Chaitén volcano stretching across Patagonia from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean

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  An air handling unit is used for the heating and cooling of air in a central location (click on image for legend).

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  Emblem of JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center

See also

In Spanish: Pronóstico del tiempo para niños