The Weather Channel – local forecasts, radar maps, storm tracking, and rain alerts

The Weather Channel provides users with information about the current and upcoming weather. After launching the app and letting it access the user’s current location, the app loads the current weather, which includes the temperature, sunrise/sunset times, wind, humidity, dew point, pressure, UV index, and a map/radar of current weather. The app also forecasts weather for the day, week, and skiing. Users can see the weather in other cities by tapping the “+” button and entering in the city’s name or zip code. In addition, users can access different videos and articles about weather, and there is a social media component to this app, which lets users take and share pictures and report local weather.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can have students search for different cities’ weather and consider how the weather reflects the cities’ culture. Students can compose their response using an Office app and then email it to their teacher.
2. Teachers and their class can view the map/radar of weather for the past 90 minutes. In response, students can view the world to identify where severe weather is happening. Students can then identify what type of severe weather it is (e.g., rain, snow, etc.) and make predictions about what forces caused that severe weather to form.
3. Students can search for two different locations that have near-opposite weather. Students can then create a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts the locations. The Venn diagram can include information about the locations’ economies, culture, tourism, and more. Students can conclude this activity by explaining how the weather impacts the location and which location they think would be more ideal to live.
4. Teachers can have students view a video or read an article about weather included in this app. Students can respond to the video or article by summing up its major points, writing a response, or explaining the article’s central meaning. Students can compose their response using an Office app.
5. Students can view the forecast for upcoming weather and then predict how it will impact their local community. Students can compose their predictions using an Office app and then email it to their teacher.

Screenshots