A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >
Welcome to the NWS Sioux Falls Education Page!
Education is a key component toward meeting our mission of protecting lives and property, so we designed this page to provide educational resources for teachers, parents, and aspiring meteorologists. We hope these materials increase your awareness and understanding of weather science, preparedness, and safety.
As we progress throughout the year, we plan to add videos to our Experiments tab, so check back routinely for updates!
Enjoy this website? Have a topic you would like us to add? We would love to hear from you!
Please provide any feedback, questions, suggestions, etc. to samantha.trellinger@noaa.gov
Clouds / Atmosphere
The atmosphere surrounds the Earth and holds the air we breathe; it protects us from outer space; and holds moisture (clouds), gases, and tiny particles. In short, the atmosphere is the protective bubble in which we live. Refer to the resources below to learn about clouds, the different layers of the atmosphere, and processes that occur within the atmosphere!
Clouds
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NWS JetStream: Clouds (Website) |
NWS JetStream: Full Cloud Chart (26" x 11" Chart .pdf) |
NWS JetStream: Cloud Altitudes (8 1/2" x 11" Chart .pdf) |
NWS JetStream: Cloud Chart (11 x 17" Chart .pdf) |
Atmosphere
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NWS JetStream: Atmosphere
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NWS JetStream: Atmosphere Layers (Website)
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NWS JetStream: Heat Energy
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NWS JetStream: Water Cycle
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Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are most common in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours. Refer to the resources below to learn how thunderstorms form, what makes them severe, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Thunderstorms / Lightning
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SciJinks: What Causes (Video) |
SciJinks: What Causes (Image) |
NWS JetStream: Thunderstorms |
NSSL: Severe Weather 101 -Thunderstorms (Website) |
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SciJinks in a Snap: (Video) |
CDC: Lightning (Website) |
NWS: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning - A Preparedness Guide (20-page PDF) |
FEMA: Be Prepared for Thunderstorms, Lightning, Hail (2-page PDF) |
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NWS: Thunderstorm Safety
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NWS: Lightning Safety
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Owlie Skywarn: Lightning Coloring/Activity Book (7-page PDF) |
Leon the Lightning Safety Lion Coloring Book (8-page PDF) |
Wind
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SciJinks: Why does Wind Blow? (Website) |
SciJinks: What is a Gust Front? (Website) |
NWS JetStream: Derechos (Website) |
NWS: Wind Safety (Website) |
Hail
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NWS JetStream: Hail |
NSSL: Severe Weather 101 - Hail |
NWS: The Science of Hail |
NWS: How to Report Hail Size |
Tornadoes
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Refer to the resources below to learn how tornadoes form, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Tornadoes
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SciJinks: How Do Tornadoes Form? (Website) |
SciJinks: What Causes a Tornado? (Video) |
NWS JetStream: Tornadoes |
NSSL: Severe Weather 101 -Tornadoes (Website) |
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NWS: Tornado Safety |
NWS: Get Weather Ready - Before a Tornado? |
NWS: Get Weather Ready - During a Tornado |
NWS: Tornado Safety for You and Your Family |
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FEMA: Be Prepared for a Tornado |
FEMA: When the Storm Comes |
CDC: Be Ready! Tornadoes |
NWS: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning - A Preparedness Guide |
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Owlie Skywarn: Tornadoes Coloring/Activity Book |
NSSL: Prepare for the Storm! |
CDC: My Family Communication Plan |
CDC: Backpack Emergency Card |
Flooding
Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory, and is a threat experienced anywhere in the world that receives rain. In fact, flooding kills more people each year in the U.S. than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning. Refer to the resources below to learn what causes floods, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Terminology
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Flash Flood vs. Flood (Image) |
What is a FloodPlain? (Image) |
Spring Flood Factors (Image) |
What is a 100-Year Flood? (Image) |
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Flood Severity Categories
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What is a River Stage? |
Types of River Gauges |
How to Read a Hydrograph |
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What is a River Crest?
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What is an Ice Jam? |
What is Streamflow? |
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Safety/Preparedness
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SciJinks: What Causes a Flood?
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NWS JetStream: Flash Floods
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NSSL: Severe Weather 101 -Floods (Website) |
NWS: Flood Safety |
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NWS: Flood Safety for You and Your Family |
FEMA: Be Prepared for a Flood |
FEMA: When the Clouds Form |
Owlie Skywarn: Flooding |
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. The primary hazards from hurricanes include storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, high surf, and rip currents. Refer to the resources below to learn how hurricanes form, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Hurricanes
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SciJinks: How Does a Hurricane Form? |
SciJinks: How Does a Hurricane Form? |
NWS JetStream: Tropical Weather |
National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology |
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National Hurricane Center: Overview of the National Hurricane Center |
NWS: Hurricane Safety |
FEMA: Hurricanes |
FEMA: Be Prepared for a Hurricane |
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NOAA's National Ocean Service: Get Weather Ready - During a Hurricane |
NOAA's National Ocean Service: Get Weather Ready - After a Hurricane |
NWS: Introduction to Storm Surge |
Owlie Skywarn: Hurricane |
Winter
Winter storms can bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the entire United States and its territories. In some cases the temperature can drop over 50 degrees in a matter of hours. Refer to the resources below to learn how winter storms form, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Winter
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SciJinks: How Does Snowflakes Form? |
NSSL: Severe Weather 101 -Winter Weather |
NWS: Winter Weather Safety for You and Your Family |
NWS: Winter Safety |
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NWS JetStream: Wind Chill |
NWS: Wind Chill Chart |
NWS: Wind Chill Brochure |
NWS: Cold Weather Safety |
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NWS: Winter Driving Preparedness |
NWS: Winter Storms - The Deceptive Killers |
FEMA: When the Sky Turns Gray |
FEMA: Snowstorms and Extreme Cold |
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FEMA: Be Prepared for a Winter Storm |
Red Cross: Winter Storm Safety |
NWS: Dressing for Cold Weather |
Owlie Skywarn: Winter Storms |
Heat/Drought
Refer to the resources below to learn what causes periods of extreme heat, droughts, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Heat/Drought
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NWS: Heat Safety for You and Your Family |
NWS: Heat Index Chart |
NWS: Heat Safety |
National Safety Council: Children in Hot Cars |
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FEMA: Extreme Heat |
FEMA: Be Prepared for Extreme Heat |
CDC: Extreme Heat |
CDC: Heat-Related Illnesses |
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National Integrated Drought Information System: Drought Monitor by State |
CoCoRaHS HQ: Assessing Drought in the United States |
NWS: Drought Safety |
National Drought Mitigation Center: Drought for Kids |
Fire
A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Refer to the resources below to learn how wildfires spread, and how you can keep you and your family safe!
Fire
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SciJinks: How Do Wildfires Spread? |
SciJinks: How Do Wildfires Spread? |
NWS: Wildfire Safety for You and Your Family |
NWS: Wildfire Safety |
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FEMA: Wildfires |
FEMA: When the Fire Starts |
FEMA: Be Prepared for a Wildfire |
Red Cross: Wild Fire Safety Checklist |
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National Fire Protection Association: Public Education Teaching Tools |
National Fire Protection Association: Sparky School House |
Smokey For Kids |
U.S. Fire Administration: Let's Have Fun With Fire Safety Coloring Book |
Climate
The earth's tilt, rotation and land/sea distribution affect the global weather patterns we observe. While the weather varies from day-to-day at any particular location, over the years, the same type of weather will reoccur. The reoccurring "average weather" found in any particular place is called climate. Refer to the resources below to learn more about climate!
Climate
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SciJinks: What Are the Different Climate Types? |
SciJinks: What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate? |
NWS JetStream: Climate Zones |
NWS JetStream: Köppen-Geiger Climate Subdivisions |
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NWS JetStream: El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) |
NWS: What is El Niño and La Niña? |
NOAA: U.S. Climate Regions |
NWS: Climate Prediction Center |
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NWS: Climate Outlooks |
NWS: Climate Variability vs. Climate Change
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NWS: Climate Really Can Be Elementary! |
NASA: Climate Kids |
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Many of us are familiar with the “screech” of an incoming severe weather alert on our TV’s, radio’s and telephones. These alerts provide valuable and life-saving information about severe weather when it threatens your location. But, what if you couldn’t hear it? An emergency or disaster may present unique challenges for people with hearing disabilities. If you or someone you care for has a hearing disability, the National Weather Service has taken efforts to ensure our warnings and alerts can be received and the proper preparations and actions undertaken.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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NWS: Weather Safety Information for Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
NWS: Know Your Location and Seasonal Weather |
NWS: Receiving Weather Alerts and Preparedness Plan Tips |
NWS: Severe Thunderstorm Safety |
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NWS: Lightning Safety |
NWS: Tornado Safety |
NWS: Flood and Flash Flood Safety |
NewHanoverCo: Rip Current Safety |
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NWS: Specialized Weather Radios |
NWS: Wireless Emergency Alerts |
NWS: Laptop and Desktop Alerts |
FEMA: Emergency Safety Kits |
Additional Information
Intellectual Disabilities
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NWS: Weather Safety Materials for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities |
NWS: Weather-Ready Nation |
NWS: Lightning Safety |
FEMA: Tornado Safety |
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NWS: Flood Safety |
NWS: Wildfire Safety |
NWS: Heat Safety |
NWS: Cold Safety |
Spanish
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NWS Sioux Falls Spanish Page |
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Experiments
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Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged! Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site. |
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