Collaborative Weblink Service
by George Pilling, District Library Media Specialist
Weather and the Water Cycle
For Mrs. Williams' Class, Royal Oaks School
"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." - Bob Dylan
Search our subscription online databases - The World Book Online and BigChalk. Click here.
NASA kids - http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/ Click on the rotating Earth for lots of information on weather and the water cycle.
AccuWeather http://www.accuweather.com/wx AccuWeather supplies weather data to a wide variety of print and broadcast media across the United States and Canada. To get a five-day forecast for your hometown, simply enter your zip code and submit it to AccuWeather. In seconds, a customized forecast pops up on the screen. This site also offers extensive worldwide weather data, including views from several international weather satellites, and features such as Today's Worst Weather and World Weather Hot Spot.
Intellicast http://intellicast.com This site's Almanac pages contain fascinating weather trivia. The Dr. Dewpoint section features a wealth of basic weather information, a library of weather-related articles, and a Q&A page where students can go for answers to frequently asked questions, such as, "Why is the sky blue?" and "Is there a difference between the 'normal' daily high (and low) temperature and the 'average' daily high (and low) temperature?"
National Climatic Data Center http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov The National Climatic Data Center is in charge of archiving the data collected by the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Coast Guard, and military.
The Old Farmer's Almanac http://www.almanac.com/weather/weather.html The Old Farmers Almanac has been predicting weather since 1792 using a secret formula devised by the founder, Robert B. Thomas, and enhanced by the most modern scientific calculations based on solar activity, particularly sunspot cycles. It also analyzes weather records for particular locales. Students will enjoy comparing the almanac's predictions with actual outcomes.
U.S. National Weather Service http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/graphicsversion/bigmain.html The National Weather Service's Interactive Weather Information Network offers continuously updated information about severe weather conditions throughout the United States. Weather alerts are given for floods and flash floods, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and marine storms. The graphics are slow to download.
USA Today Weather http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wfront.htm This site offers a broad range of meteorological data along with a few extras not found in the print product. Includes good descriptions of weather basics, including air density, air pressure, air masses, fog, and the Fujiwhara effect. Although students may have to follow several links, they'll find good information here.
Weather: What Forces Affect Our Weather? http://www.learner.org/exhibits/weather This site explores the basic elements that come together to make our weather. Among the subjects examined in detail are the earth's atmosphere, the water cycle, and such unusual weather phenomena as E1 Niño and La Niña. Another section of the site looks into the science of forecasting weather conditions, outlining the various tools used by meteorologists.
Tornadoes http://www.tornadoproject.com Learn with the folks who get close to tornadoes.
NASA el Niño page http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/nino/index.html
Water Cycle 
The Groundwater Foundation www.groundwater.org/ Excellent information about the water cycle and the importance of protecting Earth’s water supply from pollution.
Sites collected by George Pilling, April 2003
