February 5^th is National Weatherperson’s Day. This is a day to recognize individuals who provide us with weather forecasts as well as volunteer storm spotters and observers. Here are a few ways to celebrate National Weatherperson’s Day.

View a Weather Forecast

Take time to watch a weather forecast with your child. Talk about the upcoming weather and role of the weatherperson. For example: They help keep people safe by helping them know how to prepare for bad weather or dress appropriately for upcoming weather.

Explore Weather with STEAM Activities

Celebrate National Weatherperson’s Day by trying some of our STEAM activities. Simply try our Water Cycle Experiment or Tornado in a Bottle. Both are fun, hands-on activities to learn about weather.

Water Cycle Experiment

Supplies Needed:

• Sealable plastic bag, sandwich size
• Sharpie marker
• Water
• Blue food coloring
• Painter’s tape

Instructions:

1. Draw a cloud and sun at the top of the plastic bag.
2. Near the bottom of the bag, draw waves. We recommend making them about an inch in height.
3. Fill your plastic bag with water up to the water line you drew.
4. You can add blue food coloring.
5. Tightly seal your plastic bag.
6. Tape it to a sunny window.

Track how long it takes for the water to evaporate. Discuss how the sun causes condensation and how the water will eventually evaporate.

Enjoy exploring weather!

Tornado in a Bottle

Supplies Needed:

• Two empty two-liter plastic bottles
• Tornado Tube connector
• Water
• Dish soap
• Food coloring

Instructions:

1. Fill one empty two-liter bottle 2/3 full with water.
2. Add a little dish soap and food coloring.
3. Screw the Tornado Tube onto the bottle.
4. Then attach the second plastic bottle to the other end of the Tornado Tube.
5. Now, place the connected bottles on a flat surface with the empty bottle down.
6. Grab the end of the full bottle and shake it in a circular motion until a vortex forms inside the bottle.

Now you have your very own demonstration of a vortex in action.

Enjoy exploring weather!

Read Weather Books

Here are a few of our favorite books about weather.

Introduce your child to the wonderful world of weather by reading, All About Weather by Huda Harajli MA. Your child will learn about weather terminology, what causes a rainbow, how clouds are formed, and so much more.

Enjoy exploring weather.

 

Your family will enjoy Curious George Discovers the Rainbow by H. A. Ray.

In this sweet story, Curious George and a few friends discover a rainbow. Your family will appreciate the fun facts and hands-on experiments you may try together.

 

Weather and the Seasons, by DK, is a fact-filled book about weather and seasons. Your child will discover answers to weather-related questions such as: What makes a rainbow? Why do seasons change? And how are snowflakes formed?

Your child will relish in making a weathervane, an ice suncatcher, and so much more.

 

Celebrating National Weatherperson’s Day will become a family favorite as you engage in hands-on experiments, participate in weather observations, and read books about weather.