Science · Earth Science

Weather

Reading comprehension passage and printable worksheet about weather — clouds, precipitation, wind, air pressure, and how weather patterns form — for grades 3–6.

Reading Passage

Weather

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. It includes temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, and cloud cover. Weather changes from day to day and from place to place. It is different from climate, which describes the average weather conditions in a region over a long period of time. Weather affects what we wear, how we travel, and even how we feel.

The sun is the main driver of weather. Sunlight heats Earth’s surface unevenly — land heats up faster than water, and tropical regions receive more direct sunlight than polar regions. These differences in temperature cause air to move. Warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating wind. Wind carries moisture and heat from one place to another, driving weather patterns around the globe.

Water in the atmosphere plays a key role in weather. When water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers, it rises into the atmosphere as water vapor. As it rises, it cools and condenses into tiny water droplets that form clouds. Clouds are made of millions of these tiny droplets or ice crystals. When droplets combine and grow heavy enough, they fall as precipitation — rain, snow, sleet, or hail, depending on the temperature.

Air pressure is another important factor in weather. Air pressure is the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on Earth’s surface. Areas of high pressure usually have clear, calm weather. Areas of low pressure are associated with clouds, wind, and storms. When a cold air mass meets a warm air mass, the boundary between them is called a front. Fronts often bring changes in weather, including storms and precipitation.

Meteorologists are scientists who study and forecast weather. They use instruments like thermometers, barometers, anemometers, and weather satellites to measure temperature, pressure, wind speed, and precipitation. Modern computers can process huge amounts of data to predict weather several days in advance. Weather forecasting helps people prepare for storms, plan their activities, and stay safe.

Printable Worksheet

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