Weather & Seasons
Weather is what the air outside is like right now — sunny, rainy, windy, or snowy. Seasons are the regular patterns of weather that change throughout the year.
Types of Weather
Weather changes every day. We measure and describe it using:
| Weather Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Sunny | Clear skies, no clouds blocking the sun |
| Cloudy | Clouds cover much of the sky |
| Rainy | Water drops fall from clouds |
| Windy | Air moves quickly; measured by speed (mph) |
| Snowy | Frozen water falls as snowflakes |
| Foggy | Tiny water droplets hang near the ground |
| Thunderstorm | Heavy rain with lightning and thunder |
A thermometer measures temperature. A rain gauge measures rainfall. A weather vane shows wind direction.
The Four Seasons
| Season | Typical Weather | Changes in Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mild, rainy, warming up | Flowers bloom, baby animals born, trees get leaves |
| Summer | Hot, sunny, sometimes stormy | Long days, plants fully grown, animals active |
| Autumn (Fall) | Cooling down, windy | Leaves change color and fall, animals prepare for winter |
| Winter | Cold, sometimes snowy | Short days, trees bare, some animals hibernate |
Seasons happen because Earth is tilted on its axis as it orbits the Sun. When your part of Earth tilts toward the Sun, you get summer.
The Water Cycle
Water moves in a continuous cycle between the Earth and the atmosphere:
- Evaporation — Heat from the sun turns water (lakes, oceans) into water vapor (gas)
- Condensation — Water vapor cools high in the atmosphere and forms clouds
- Precipitation — Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail
- Collection — Water collects in oceans, rivers, and underground, and the cycle starts again
Fun Fact
The water you drink today may have once been in a dinosaur's body! Water has been cycling through Earth for billions of years.
Quick Quiz
Test what you just learned. Choose the best answer for each question.