1. THE WEATHER CENTER Welcome to Click to advance

2. Let’s review some weather facts…

3. Atmosphere The atmosphere is a blanket of air that wraps around the earth.

4. Atmosphere The atmosphere filters out harmful sun rays.

5. Hot air rises because it is lighter than cold air. Air Heat makes air expand. Click to watch the air rise!

6. Wind Wind is created when a mass of heavy air pushes on a mass of lighter air. Click to watch the wind blow!

7. Wind We can use wind to create electricity. And, to have fun! And, to have fun!

8. Types of Clouds Cirrus: curly or wispy clouds Stratus: layered clouds Cumulus: lumpy or puffy clouds Which type of cloud do you think this is? Click below for the answer. Cumulus

9. The Water Cycle precipitation evaporation condensation transpiration

10. Hurricanes Hurricanes begin as tropical storms. Their purpose is to cool off the earth. Hurricanes can reach up to 600 miles wide, and the winds can blow up to 150 miles an hour!

11. Hurricanes Are you ready to fly into the eye of a hurricane with the hurricane hunters?

12. The Hurricane Hunters The Hurricane Hunters are a group of brave men and women who fly planes into the eye of a hurricane. They gather data to help us predict the hurricane’s path. Pretend you are a reporter about to board this plane along with the hurricane hunters.

13. In Flight As we begin our flight the weather is beautiful! It is hard to imagine what lies ahead.

14. Meet the Crew Co-Pilot Flight Engineer Navigator Flight Meteorologist Pilot

15. Hurricane on Radar This is what the navigator views on his screen.

16. Inside the Hurricane! Remember how Ms. Frizzle’s class described the winds of the hurricane? Five miles from the eye wall!

17. The Eye of the Hurricane We made it through the eye wall! Inside the eye. Can you see the wall of clouds?

18. Let’s Head Back to Base Flying above the swirling clouds.

19. Congratulations! You are now an official hurricane hunter!

20. Hurricanes So, what did you think of your flight? What was it like in the eye of the hurricane? Would you like to become a hurricane hunter? Remember, you are a reporter. Write an article for your newspaper. Describe your experience and make up a name for the hurricane. Be sure to explain what it was like in the eye of the hurricane.

21. The End