The Big Questions
Q1. How can we measure and monitor the weather around us?
Answer:
We can measure and monitor the weather using various instruments such as thermometers for temperature, rain gauges for precipitation, barometers for atmospheric pressure, and wind vanes and anemometers for wind direction and speed. These instruments provide precise data that help in understanding and recording weather conditions.
Q2. How do weather predictions help us prepare for events like heavy rain, storms, drought and heat waves?
Answer:
Weather predictions help us prepare by giving advance warning of severe weather events. For example, forecasts of heavy rain allow people to move to safer areas, protect property, and manage drainage systems. Predictions of storms help in securing homes and evacuating if needed. Drought warnings enable farmers to adjust planting and irrigation. Heat wave alerts help people take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and manage water and electricity usage.
LET'S EXPLORE
Q1. What are some of the words in your local language that you use to describe the weather? Hot, cold, warm, chilly, crisp, pleasant, and so on, are commonly used terms in English.
Answer:
This is an activity-based question. Students should list words in their local language used to describe weather conditions. For example, in Hindi: गरम (hot), ठंडा (cold), नम (humid), धूप (sunny), बरसाती (rainy). In Tamil: வெயில் (sunny), குளிர் (cold), மழை (rainy). Students should document authentic local terms.
Q2. What do you think could be some other reasons to measure the weather more precisely? (Hint: Think how knowing the weather a few hours or a few days in advance would help you plan some activities.)
Answer:
Precise weather measurement helps in many ways: planning outdoor activities like sports, picnics, or travel; scheduling agricultural tasks like sowing, irrigating, or harvesting; preparing for natural disasters like cyclones or floods; managing air and sea traffic for safety; and planning construction work that depends on weather conditions.
Q3. Talk to elders in your neighbourhood and ask them how they predict the weather. What signs do they observe? Document any sayings in your regional language that refer to weather prediction.
Answer:
This is an activity-based question. Students should interview elders and collect traditional weather prediction methods. Examples include: observing ants moving eggs to higher ground (indicating rain), seeing birds flying low (indicating storm), or noting sayings like 'आम का बौर आए, बरसात आए' (mango flowering indicates monsoon) in Hindi. Students should document these in their regional language.
Q4. Here’s a chart of the temperatures of a city in Madhya Pradesh. What is the maximum temperature recorded in the week shown here? What is the minimum? Calculate the range.
Answer:
From the chart: Maximum temperature recorded in the week = 32°C (on 03.03.2025). Minimum temperature recorded in the week = 14°C (on 05.03.2025). Range = Maximum - Minimum = 32°C - 14°C = 18°C.
Q5. Remember the conversation between Krishnan and Amir? If Krishnan said it was 20°C in Chennai and he was feeling a little cold, he and Amir would have a measure they could understand. What do you think Amir’s reaction to Krishnan’s statement might be?
Answer:
Amir, living in Kashmir where temperatures are often much lower, would likely find 20°C quite warm and pleasant. He might be surprised that Krishnan feels cold at 20°C, since 20°C is a comfortable temperature in many parts of India, especially in cooler regions like Kashmir. This highlights how perception of temperature is relative and depends on the climate one is accustomed to.
Q6. Make a rain gauge as shown in the diagram above. Place the rain gauge in an open area, away from objects that might obstruct rain. Ensure that the rain gauge is on a flat surface and will not tilt or topple with the wind. Using the measuring scale, record the amount of rainwater collected at the same time every day, for a month. (If there is snow, allow it to melt before taking the measurement.) Calculate the average rainfall for every week in that month and comment on the variation from week to week.
Answer:
This is a hands-on activity. Students should: 1) Make a rain gauge using a plastic bottle with a funnel and a measuring cylinder. 2) Place it in an open area on a flat surface. 3) Record rainfall at the same time daily for a month. 4) Calculate weekly average by summing daily readings for the week and dividing by 7. 5) Compare weekly averages to observe variations due to weather patterns, and comment on which week had the most/least rainfall and possible reasons.
THINK ABOUT IT
Q1. Let us imagine that Krishnan from Chennai is speaking with Amir in Kashmir. Krishnan tells Amir that it has become chilly in Chennai after it rained the previous night. Amir asks him how cold it is. How will Krishnan explain to Amir how cold it is? After all, what is cold for Krishnan may be quite pleasant for Amir!
Answer:
Krishnan can explain the temperature using the Celsius scale, a standard measurement. He can say, 'The temperature is 20°C,' which both can understand objectively. This standard measurement overcomes subjective differences in perception, as 20°C has the same meaning regardless of where someone lives.
Q2. Why do you think it would be important to measure atmospheric pressure? Who are the people most likely to use such measurements?
Answer:
Measuring atmospheric pressure is important because changes in pressure indicate approaching weather systems: falling pressure often signals storms or cyclones, while rising pressure indicates fair weather. People who most likely use such measurements include: meteorologists for weather forecasting, pilots and sailors for safe navigation, farmers for predicting rain, and disaster management authorities for issuing warnings.
Q3. People who journey to places at a high altitude are advised to make pauses on the way to allow the body to acclimatise. Our army personnel serve in high-altitude places like Khardung la in Ladakh, which is over 5600 metres above sea level. It is hard to imagine how they live and work in places where the oxygen level is so low—the atmospheric pressure there is generally about 650 millibars!
Answer:
This is a reflection prompt, not a direct question. It highlights the importance of acclimatisation at high altitudes due to low atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen. Students should understand that the body needs time to adjust to lower oxygen levels, and that army personnel undergo special training and acclimatisation to function in such conditions.
Q4. Have you seen seeds like these flying in the wind? What would happen to the seeds if there was no wind?
Answer:
Yes, many seeds like dandelion or maple seeds are dispersed by wind. If there was no wind, these seeds would fall directly beneath the parent plant, leading to overcrowding, competition for resources (sunlight, water, nutrients), and reduced chances of survival. Wind dispersal helps seeds reach new areas, increasing their chances of germination and growth.
Q3. If the humidity in Delhi is at 52% while in Kochi it is 84%, in which of the two places are wet clothes likely to dry faster? And where are you likely to sweat more, assuming the temperature is the same in both places?
Answer:
Wet clothes are likely to dry faster in Delhi (52% humidity) because lower humidity means faster evaporation. In Kochi (84% humidity), the air is already saturated with moisture, so evaporation is slow. You are likely to sweat more in Kochi (84% humidity) because high humidity prevents sweat from evaporating quickly, making you feel hotter and sweat more to try to cool down.
DON’T MISS OUT
Q1. Can you think of a reason why rain arises from the sun?
Answer:
Rain arises from the sun because the sun's heat causes evaporation of water from oceans, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. This water vapour rises, cools, and condenses to form clouds. When the clouds become heavy, the water falls back to the Earth as rain. Thus, the sun is the primary driver of the water cycle that leads to rainfall.
Questions and activities
Q1. Match the instrument with the weather element it measures. Instrument used: (1) Hygrometer (2) Anemometer (3) Barometer (4) Thermometer (5) Rain gauge. Element of the Weather: (a) Precipitation (b) Atmospheric pressure (c) Wind direction and speed (d) Humidity (e) Temperature.
Answer:
(1) Hygrometer matches with (d) Humidity. (2) Anemometer matches with (c) Wind direction and speed. (3) Barometer matches with (b) Atmospheric pressure. (4) Thermometer matches with (e) Temperature. (5) Rain gauge matches with (a) Precipitation.
Q2. Jyotsna is deciding what clothes to pack for her school trip to Mumbai in June. She looks at the weather forecast, which predicts 29°C and 84% humidity. What would be your advice to her?
Answer:
I would advise Jyotsna to pack light, cotton clothes because 29°C and 84% humidity indicate hot and humid weather. Cotton clothes are breathable and absorb sweat, helping her stay comfortable. She should avoid synthetic or heavy fabrics as they trap heat and moisture. Also, she may carry an umbrella or raincoat as high humidity often leads to rain.
Q3. Imagine that a small group of students is setting up a rain gauge. Here are some options for the site: 1. The school vegetable garden. 2. The terrace of the school building. 3. Open ground with elevated platform. 4. Compound wall of school. 5. Verandah of the school laboratory. Discuss in your group and finalise the site. Write down the reasons for your decision.
Answer:
The best site is Option 3: Open ground with elevated platform. Reasons: (i) An open area ensures no obstruction (like trees or buildings) blocks the rain falling into the gauge. (ii) An elevated platform prevents splashing from the ground and keeps the gauge stable. (iii) It is away from walls or roofs that might drip water into the gauge. The school vegetable garden (Option 1) might have plants that obstruct or cause splashing; the terrace (Option 2) could have wind eddies; the compound wall (Option 4) may cause blockage; the verandah (Option 5) is covered and will not collect rainfall properly.
Q4. Below is a chart taken from IMD, Jammu and Kashmir. Looking at the data available, write a short script to report the weather conditions in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir on the date shown. (Hint: Cover the temperature range, maximum and minimum temperatures, humidity, precipitation, etc.) Chart: Daily Weather Parameters Jammu & Kashmir (EVENING) DATE: 01-02-2024. Station: SRINAGAR - Max temp ACT 6.5°C, NOR 8.9°C, DEP -2.4°C; Min temp ACT 0.2°C, NOR -0.7°C, DEP 0.9°C; 0830 RH 89%, 1730 RH 89%; R/F TR, S/N 0.0. QAZIGUND - Max ACT 3.2°C, NOR 8.5°C, DEP -5.3°C; Min ACT -0.4°C, NOR -2.1°C, DEP 1.7°C; R/F 11.8 mm, S/N 10.0 cm; RH 97% and 90%. PAHALGAM - Max ACT 1.1°C, NOR 5.6°C, DEP -4.5°C; Min ACT -4.1°C, NOR -6.1°C, DEP 2.0°C; R/F 6.0 mm, S/N 8.0 cm; RH 96% and 96%. KUPWARA - Max ACT 5.1°C, NOR 8.5°C, DEP -3.4°C; Min ACT -0.7°C, NOR -2.3°C, DEP 1.6°C; R/F 0.5 mm, S/N 0.0; RH 97% and 94%. KUKERNAG - Max ACT 2.6°C, NOR 6.6°C, DEP -4.0°C; Min ACT -1.4°C, NOR -2.4°C, DEP 1.0°C; R/F 12.0 mm, S/N 8.0 cm; RH 96% and 97%. GULMARG - Max ACT -2.6°C, NOR 1.4°C, DEP -4.0°C; Min ACT -7.6°C, NOR -7.6°C, DEP 0.0°C; R/F 8.2 mm, S/N 6.35 cm; RH 76% and 100%. MUZAFARABAD - Max ACT 8.5°C, NOR -, DEP -; Min ACT 5.6°C, NOR -, DEP -; R/F -, S/N -; RH 93% and - .
Answer:
Here is a sample weather report script: 'Good evening! This is the weather update for Jammu and Kashmir on 1st February 2024. The region shows varied conditions. In Srinagar, the maximum temperature was 6.5°C, which is 2.4°C below normal, and the minimum was 0.2°C. Humidity remained high at 89%, with only trace rainfall and no snowfall. Over in Qazigund, temperatures were much colder with a maximum of just 3.2°C and a minimum of -0.4°C. It received 11.8 mm of rainfall and 10 cm of snowfall, with humidity near saturation at 97%. Pahalgam recorded a maximum of only 1.1°C and a minimum of -4.1°C, along with 6 mm rain and 8 cm of snow, and humidity at 96%. Kupwara had a maximum of 5.1°C and a minimum of -0.7°C, with very light rain of 0.5 mm and no snow, but high humidity of 97%. Kukernag saw a maximum of 2.6°C and minimum of -1.4°C, with 12 mm rain and 8 cm of snow, and humidity up to 97%. Gulmarg was the coldest, with a maximum below freezing at -2.6°C and a minimum of -7.6°C. It recorded 8.2 mm rain and 6.35 cm of snow, and humidity rose to 100% by evening. Finally, Muzaffarabad had the warmest conditions with a maximum of 8.5°C and minimum of 5.6°C, with humidity at 93%. Overall, most places experienced below-normal temperatures, with significant snowfall in higher altitudes like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Stay warm and travel safely!'
LET’S EXPLORE
Q1. Make a rain gauge as shown in the diagram above. Place the rain gauge in an open area, away from objects that might obstruct rain. Ensure that the rain gauge is on a flat surface and will not tilt or topple with the wind. Using the measuring scale, record the amount of rainwater collected at the same time every day, for a month. (If there is snow, allow it to melt before taking the measurement.) Calculate the average rainfall for every week in that month and comment on the variation from week to week.
Answer:
Students must construct a simple rain gauge (e.g., a plastic bottle with a funnel top and measuring scale inside). Place it in an open ground away from trees, buildings, or walls. Ensure it is stable on a flat surface. Measure the water level daily at the same time. For snow, melt it first. Calculate weekly average by summing daily readings for a week and dividing by 7. Compare weekly averages; note any increase or decrease in rainfall. For example, 'Week 1 average was 5 mm, Week 2 was 12 mm – rainfall increased due to monsoon activity.'
Q2. Where do you think humidity is likely to be more, Kochi or Jaipur? You might guess that Kochi has higher humidity than Jaipur because it is located near the sea. But how will we know for sure? If we had to compare the humidity level between Kochi and Mangaluru, how would we do it? Discuss with your classmates.
Answer:
Kochi is likely to have higher humidity than Jaipur because it is a coastal city near the Arabian Sea, while Jaipur is inland and dry. To know for sure, we can check actual humidity data from weather reports or use a hygrometer. To compare Kochi and Mangaluru (both coastal), we would need to measure relative humidity at the same time using hygrometers and record data over a period. Factors like sea breeze, temperature, and local geography can cause differences. Discuss with classmates to share ideas.
LET’S EXPLORE (Weather Predictions)
Q1. Discuss, in pairs, different situations in which weather predictions are helpful. Make a list, and after you have completed it, share it and discuss it with the pair sitting next to you. How many different categories of situations have you been able to identify?
Answer:
Weather predictions are helpful in: (1) Agriculture – farmers plan sowing, irrigation, and harvesting. (2) Aviation – pilots plan safe take-off and landing. (3) Fishing – fishermen avoid storms at sea. (4) Disaster management – evacuations during cyclones/floods. (5) Daily life – people plan outings, clothing, and travel. (6) Water resource management – reservoir levels and drought planning. (7) Health – heatwave alerts for vulnerable people. Categories could include: economic activities, safety, and personal planning. Discuss with classmates to compare categories.
Q2. Look carefully at the map of India above. This map was issued by the India Meteorological Department on 19 May 2024. Study the icons and connect them to the conditions shown on the map. What do you observe happening on that day? What are the various weather conditions that the IMD is alerting people to? Which states have warning signs? Which parts of India are likely to be free from severe weather? Which states are likely to face heat wave conditions? What are the causes for warning in Tripura and Lakshadweep?
Answer:
On 19 May 2024, India experienced varied weather conditions. IMD alerts include: heat wave, heavy rain, thunder & lightning, strong winds, and fog. States with warning signs (from map): Heat wave warnings in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rain warnings in Northeast states (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, etc.) and coastal areas like Lakshadweep. Parts free from severe weather: likely high-altitude regions or areas not highlighted (e.g., parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, or plateaus). Heat wave conditions likely in north and central India. Warning in Tripura and Lakshadweep due to possible heavy rainfall leading to flooding or landslides; Lakshadweep may also face strong winds and rough seas.