Severe weather
Severe weather: Storms – Learning Journey
This learning journey is one of a series designed to support the learning and teaching of community resilience education. This particular resource looks at storms as severe weather conditions and the effects these have on individuals and communities in
Scotland.
This learning journey offers opportunities for interdisciplinary planning and assessment. Helping learners understand severe weather supports the delivery of key curriculum area s such as those which are the ‘responsibilities for all’ as well as those specific to subject areas.
This learning journey covers the following learning experiences:
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Preparing for storms
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Coping with storms: effects and consequences
Some of the activities in these learning journeys are progressive and build on earlier experiences and outcomes. However, no prior knowledge of severe weather or resilience education is required before undertaking this learning journey.
HWB
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I understand that there are people I can talk to and that there are a number of ways in which I can gain access to practical and emotional support to help me and others in a range of circumstances. HWB 1-03a
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I am learning skills and strategies which will support me in challenging times, particularly in relation to change and loss. HWB 1-07a
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I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for harm when possible. HWB 0-16a – HWB 4-16a
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I know and can demonstrate how to keep myself and others safe and how to respond in a range of emergency situations. HWB 0-17a – HWB 4-17a
Literacy
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By considering the type of text I am creating, I can select ideas and relevant information, organise these in a logical sequence and use words which will be interesting and/or useful for others. LIT 1-26a
Social Subjects
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I can identify the possible causes of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact. SOC 4-12c
Technology
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I can use ICT effectively in different learning contexts across the curriculum to access, select and present relevant information in a range of tasks. TCH 4-03b http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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Severe weather
Learners consider measures they can take to prepare themselves and others in their community for storms to limit the damage these events may cause.
Stimulus
Some resources to support this learning experience are detailed in the ‘Useful resources’ section. Further coverage of storms and related severe weather events in Scotland is available from other major news websites.
In addition, learners may draw on their own experiences or on local news coverage to support this learning experience.
Learning intention

To understand the terminology and information used during the forecasting of storms and the delivery of weather warnings.

To prepare effectively for storm conditions.
Severe weather: Storms – Learning Journey

Learners v iew the ‘Forecast for severe storms in
Scotland’ video (see ‘Useful resources’) and discuss the features on the weather map which help identify the severity of the storm.

Learners use the resources listed to familiarise themselves with vocabulary and icons associated with forecasting weather / storms before creating their own weather forecast warning of a fictional storm.
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When severe weather is forecast, learners use the detailed forecast charts on the XC Weather site (see
‘Useful resources’) to see how the weather is predicted to unfold.
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Learners investigate the severe weather warning system provided by the Met Office and create their own diagram explaining the system.
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Learners consider the precautionary measures advised by the Met Office and Ready Scotland in the cases of severe winds, and create a plan to show how they would prepare for severe weather.
BBC News: Forecast for severe storms in Scotland http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16083525
XC weather http://www.xcweather.co.uk/
Met Office – What to do in severe weather http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/
Ready Scotland: Severe Weather http://www.readyscotland.org/are-you-ready/severeweather/
Learners can:
 understand technical vocabulary associated with weather forecasting
 use this knowledge to describe the features of a weather forecast that indicates an approaching storm
 outline and justify the appropriate precautionary measures to be taken in the event of a storm warning.
Learners can:
 discuss weather forecasts and compare predictions
 create their own weather map using appropriate vocabulary and icons
 write about how it might feel to prepare for a storm.
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Are there any common features preceding a severe storm which can be used to aid prediction?
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How could communities work together to prepare for a severe storm?
Learners could measure weather data such as wind speeds and rainfall in their own area and submit their findings to the
Met Office’s Weather Observation website
( http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk
). http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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Severe weather
Severe weather: Storms – Learning Journey
Learners consider the effects of severe storms on Scotland’s communities and businesses and project the long-term consequences of storm damage.
Stimulus
Some resources to support this learning experience are detailed in the ‘Useful resources’ section.
In addition, learners could draw on their own experiences or use weather forecasts and reports from local and national newspapers to support this learning experience.
Learning intention



L earners use the report and pictures in the ‘Scotland storm:
Gales batter the country’ article to draw a concept map showing the effects of the storm and the consequences on individuals and businesses.
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Learners consider their own experiences of storms, including the practical and emotional impact, to create a written account of how storms can affect daily life.
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Learners use their understanding of the effects of storm damage to identify how better design of existing infrastructure, or a new invention, might help limit storm damage.
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Learners investigate the impact of extreme storms such as
Hurricane Katrina and create a diagram, article or podcast explaining the short and long-term consequences of the storm.
BBC News: Scotland storm: Gales batter the country http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16385049
Investigate recent storms - see Met Office website: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/ )
BBC learning zone: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-effects-of-hurricanemitch-on-informal-settlement-in-tegucigalpa-honduras/6685.html
Met Office: Case study - Hurricane Katrina http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/teens/case-studies/katrina
Learners can:
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describe the consequences of storm damage on society
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give examples of how storms affect a variety or groups in society, both in the short and long-term.
Learners can:
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create a presentation showing the how storms can affect individuals, business and communities
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describe the emotional impact of coping with a severe storm and its aftermath
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identify how new designs could help lessen the impact of severe storms.
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Consider ways in which severe storms impact on other emergency situations such as flooding and severe winter weather
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Consider the limitations to services and the subsequent financial implications.
Learners could investigate the impact of flooding and severe winter weather on individuals and communities using the resources available on the Ready for
Emergencies website.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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