U3W4 Weather All Around

Weather All Around

CHAPTER 1 What's the Weather? Have you ever noticed that people love to talk about the weather? Sometimes it is hot. Sometimes it is cold. Sometimes it is nice outside, and sometimes it is not! Some weather is harsh. Different parts of the United States have different weather. In some places, it is hot most of the time.

Seasons Some places have four seasons. The weather changes with the season. Winter is cold. It may snow. It is breezy and rainy in the spring. Buds appear on the trees and flowers start to bloom. Summer is usually hot and sunny. The fall is crisp and clear. The colorful leaves fall off the trees. Many places in the United States have four seasons.

CHAPTER 2 Hurricanes in the East The Northeast has four seasons, and so does much of the Southeast. Hurricanes can happen in these areas. These dangerous storms bring heavy rain and strong winds. Hurricanes happen more often at certain times of year. Hurricanes and Seasons Hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean. They happen mostly in the summer and fall, when the ocean is warmest. As storms blow across this warm water, they become stronger. Some turn into hurricanes. These scary storms even have names, such as Hurricane Ike or HurricaneIsabel! The first storms of the season get names that begin with the letter A. Later storms get names beginning with B, C, and so on. The middle of the hurricane is called an eye.

One good thing about hurricanes is that we know ahead of time that they are coming. This warning gives people a long time to prepare. Sometimes powerful hurricanes can destroy homes. But with a warning, people can protect themselves. They can prevent damage to their homes. Some people cover their windows with wood so that the glass does not get broken. What to Do in a Weather Emergency 1. Stay calm. 2. Seek shelter. 3. Wait for the alert that the storm is over before resuming normal activities. People may board up their doors before a hurricane.