Science·Weather & Climate·conceptual
Hurricanes, Tornadoes & Monsoons
Explain how hurricanes form and intensify over warm ocean water (latent heat release, low-pressure spiral); describe tornado formation within supercell thunderstorms; explain monsoon mechanics driven by temperature differences between land and sea; introduce attribution science — how scientists use climate models to calculate whether and by how much climate change increased the probability or intensity of a specific extreme weather event
Suggested ages 12–13
Evidence of understanding
No evidence statements are recorded.
Assessment prompt
When scientists say that climate change made a recent hurricane stronger, can Hurricanes, Tornadoes & Monsoons explain what they actually mean and how scientists figure that out — what kind of calculation lets them link a specific storm to climate change?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.