How Do We Study Climate?
by Jessica Fries-Gaither
Narrated by Nancy Brannon
You are going on a trip. How do you know what clothes to pack?
If you are going to a warm place, you take shorts and T-shirts. If you are going to a cold place, you take warmer clothes.
You know what to pack because of climate. Climate tells us what a place is like. Some places have cold climates. Other places have warm climates.
Scientists study Earth's climate. To do this, they learn about Earth's land, air, and water. Tools help them study what these places are like.
One tool is a climate station . Scientists use the stations to measure the temperature. They measure how much sunlight there is. The measure how much rain or snow there is. They measure the speed of the wind. These measures tell scientists what that place is like.
Another tool is a weather balloon . The balloons fly high in the air. They measure temperature. They tell scientists what the air is like above Earth.
A third tool is a satellite . Satellites fly in space. They take pictures of the Earth. They tell scientists about clouds and storms.
One more tool is a buoy . Buoys float in the ocean. They measure the temperature of the water. They keep track of currents and waves. They tell scientists what the oceans are like.
Scientists use tools on land. They use them in the air and in the water. They learn about climate. They help us know what different places are like. This helps us when we take trips. What will you pack?
Find other stories at http://beyondweather.ehe.osu.edu/stories-for-students.