Track a Hurricane and Forecast Its Path

Use Energy and Gravity in the Water Cycle to set up the big ideas, then let students apply data skills on the hurricane and air mass sheets. The rules and tables on page 1 of each sheet are the reference for page 2.

Plot eight points of a fictional hurricane track, assign Saffir-Simpson categories and find its speed. The directions on the page read: Plot points 1 to 8 on the grid with dots, number them and connect them in order. Then use the Saffir-Simpson table to write each category in the Category row. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 7th grade Earth systems, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

Plot the storm's positions on a grid and connect them in order to see its track. Winds high in the air steer a hurricane, and they can shift, so every forecast is uncertain. Track a Hurricane and Forecast Its Path uses a fictional storm over a fictional ocean.

The first letter shows moisture, m for maritime or c for continental. The second shows temperature, P for polar or T for tropical. Classify Air Masses From Station Data gives the rules and sample data.

Energy from the Sun and the pull of gravity. Liquid water absorbs thermal energy and becomes vapor, and gravity moves water back down. Energy and Gravity in the Water Cycle has students mark each arrow A, R or G.