Is the Weather Actually Becoming More Extreme?

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by TED-Ed

Open Resource

What it is

This animated video from TED-Ed explains why the number of extreme weather events has been increasing over recent decades and how this increase is likely to continue.
The video explains the difference between weather and climate, how we predict both, and what these predictions can tell us about the future of our planet.
There are also links to additional information and an interactive quiz.

Teaching tips

Positives

The difference between weather and climate is clearly explained.
The video ends with a question that will inspire students to explore potential solutions to climate change.

Prerequisites

Students must create an account with their school email to save their answers to the questions.
Teachers can create an account to view or download student answers, customize lessons, and embed lessons in google classroom.
There is a commercial before the video.

Differentiation & Implementation

This is a great video to use when teaching the difference between weather and climate, or the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.
Students can each choose a type of extreme weather discussed in the video to research further.
A few solutions are mentioned at the end of the video that students can explore in a science class.
Other resources about the difference between weather and climate include this article from NASA, this video by Crash Course Kids, and this video by Hot Mess.

From the scientist review

The video provides detailed scientific facts on how to distinguish weather and climate. The basic steps in measuring and predicting weather and projecting the climate are valid and thus, this resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Other types: Activity - Classroom
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: TED-Ed
Authors: R. Saravanan
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS3-2. + 14 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.6CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
HS-ESS3-5.HS-ESS3-5. Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.
HS-ESS3-6.HS-ESS3-6. Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
MS-ESS2-D.1.MS-ESS2-D.1. Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns. (MS-ESS2-6)
HS-ESS2-D.3.HS-ESS2-D.3. Changes in the atmosphere due to human activity have increased carbon dioxide concentrations and thus affect climate. (HS-ESS2-6)

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.6CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
MS-ESS2-D.1.MS-ESS2-D.1. Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns. (MS-ESS2-6)
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
HS-ESS2-D.3.HS-ESS2-D.3. Changes in the atmosphere due to human activity have increased carbon dioxide concentrations and thus affect climate. (HS-ESS2-6)
HS-ESS3-5.HS-ESS3-5. Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth’s systems.
HS-ESS3-6.HS-ESS3-6. Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.

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