Weather Interactive Simulation

This simulation is a transparent classroom heuristic, not a forecast. It uses only temperature and humidity to illustrate how cooling moist air can support cloud formation. Real forecasts also need pressure, fronts, uplift, wind, and the atmosphere's vertical temperature profile. When precipitation is shown, this model uses near-surface temperature to display rain above freezing, sleet near freezing, or snow below freezing. Students can change temperature and humidity and compare what happens. Use it for earth science inquiry with Grades 3–5, Middle School, and High School on a projector or student device.

Standards: NGSS 3-ESS2-1

• How raising humidity (more water vapour in the air) increases cloud formation
• Why cooling the air (lowering temperature) can support condensation and precipitation
• The difference between high-humidity warm air and high-humidity cold air
• Why deserts are dry despite sometimes high temperatures (low humidity)
• How weather forecasters use dew-point temperature to predict precipitation

1. 1Predict how changing temperature will affect the visible outcome, then test the prediction.
2. 2Use evidence from the interactive visual to explain the result.

Questions teachers ask