Forecast Detective Open Response

Weather forecasts don’t happen by guesswork-they’re built using science, technology, and years of experience. This reading passage introduces students to the fascinating work of meteorologists as they collect information from weather stations, satellites, balloons, and radar before using powerful computer models to predict tomorrow’s weather. Readers also discover why forecasts become less certain the farther into the future they try to predict.

Students strengthen informational reading skills by identifying sequences, recognizing cause-and-effect relationships, and connecting scientific tools to everyday life. Vocabulary such as meteorologist, forecast, radar, satellite, weather station, and computer model is introduced naturally throughout the passage. Written in a friendly, conversational style, this worksheet helps students appreciate the science behind the forecast they check every day.