Mapping Air Pressure - Visualizing Hurricane Irma
Provided by: ACE|Published on: March 30, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: ACE
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This three-part activity from ACE includes a teacher guide, numerous links for background information, a student worksheet, and context videos.
- Students will learn about weather maps and symbols, analyze the weather maps associated with Hurricane Irma, and complete weather maps and associated questions.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity clearly connects climate change to Hurricane Irma.
- Learning weather station model symbols is fun and engaging. It is like learning a secret language.
Prerequisites
- Going through the background knowledge is very helpful in running this activity, as there are some tricky concepts and vocabulary terms that may need more explanation.
- Vocabulary terms include isobars, millibars, dew point, and atmospheric pressure.
- Teachers must make a free account to access the materials.
- The link to the article in part 3 is broken.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students of mixed abilities can be grouped together to complete the student documents.
- Drawing isobars on the map (part 2) might be tough for concrete thinkers.
- This lesson includes math, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and knowledge application skills, which can be utilized in a variety of classes.
- Other resources about hurricanes and weather include Extreme Weather 101 and Why Climate Change Makes Extreme Weather Worse.
The resource is suitable for learning air pressure and creating and interpreting isobars for weather maps. Students will also be equipped with synoptic weather forecasting skills. The resource is valid and recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
