Severe weather
Understanding severe winter weather – Learning Journey
Introduction
This learning journey is one of a series designed to support the learning and
teaching of community resilience education. This particular resource looks the
variety of severe weather conditions experienced in Scotland and ways in
which we can be warned about severe weather.
There are also opportunities for interdisciplinary planning and assessment.
Helping learners understand winter weather supports the delivery of key
curriculum areas such as those which are the ‘responsibilities for all’ as well as
those specific to subject areas.
Experiences and outcomes
HWB

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

I am learning skills and strategies which will support me in challenging times,
particularly in relation to change and loss. HWB 1-07a

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

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
This learning journey covers the following learning experiences:

What is ‘severe winter weather’?

How do we know when to expect severe winter weather?
Prior knowledge
Some of the activities in these learning journeys are progressive and build on
earlier experiences and outcomes. However, no prior knowledge of severe
winter weather or resilience education is required before undertaking this
learning journey.
Learners are likely to have experience of studying weather and this may be
referred to in support of the learning journey
Literacy

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

I can use a range of maps and geographical information systems to gather interpret and
present conclusions and can locate a range of features within Scotland, UK, Europe and
the wider world. SOC 3-14a (also SOC 4-14a)

I can identify the possible causes of an environmental issue and make informed
suggestions about ways to manage the impact. SOC 4-12c
Technology

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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Understanding severe winter weather – Learning Journey
Severe weather
Learning experience:
What is ‘severe winter weather’?
Possible tasks

Learners use the information under ‘Useful resources’ to
create a list of the types of severe winter weather experienced
in the UK. Learners use their list of severe winter weather
conditions to create their own images.
Introduction

In order for learners to fully appreciate the
impact of winter weather in Scotland a basic
understanding of weather processes is
essential.
Learners write a poem based on one of the images of severe
weather in the resources listed.

Analysing recent extreme winter weather, learners discuss the
difference between normal and severe winter weather.

Learners discuss how severe winter weather has affected
them and Scotland in the past and how this experience made
them feel.
Learners investigate the types of winter
weather conditions Scotland encounters,
including severe winter weather.
Stimulus
Some resources to support this learning
experience are detailed in the ‘Useful
resources’ section. Further coverage of
severe winter 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 identify the variety of weather
conditions which affect Scotland.
Success criteria
Learners can:

describe the various types of severe winter
weather

describe how severe winter weather differs from
normal winter weather
recall and reflect upon recent extreme winter
weather and its impact on Scotland.

Possible evidence
Learners can:

create their own images or texts illustrating
different types of severe winter weather

discuss how they have been affected by different
types of severe winter weather.
Useful resources
BBC News: In Pictures: Snow and ice hit UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16889537
BBC News: Snow and large waves as winter storms continue http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands15887177
Reflecting on learning

How might severe winter weather affect you?
Your family? Your school?

Discuss severe weather in general and the global
impact of extreme weather conditions.
BBC News – Storms start to thrash Scotland http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16083530
Taking it further
BBC Weather: Freezing rain gallery http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/17045883
Learners could investigate ways to prepare for and
respond to severe winter weather using the resources
available on the Ready for Emergencies website.
BBC News: UK shivers in a -11C cold snap amid forecasts of snow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16866903
Learners could investigate the causes of recent
severe winter weather including the latest debate on
climate change.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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Understanding severe winter weather – Learning Journey
Severe weather
Learning experience:
Possible tasks
How do we know when to expect
severe winter weather?

Introduction

When severe weather is predicted, learners use the
detailed forecast charts on the XC Weather site (see
‘Useful resources’) to see how the weather is predicted to
unfold.

Learners compare weather forecasts from a number of
different sources over several days and report variations
between forecasts and the actual weather.

Learners create a public information resource providing
advice on where to find severe weather alerts.
Learners consider the different ways in
which we can gain information about severe
winter weather before it strikes.
Stimulus
Some resources to support this learning
experience are detailed in the ‘Useful
resources’ section.
In additions learners could use weather
forecasts and reports from local and national
newspapers to support this learning
experience.
Learning intention


To identify sources of weather
information and forecasting and
consider their effectiveness.
To discuss predictability and accuracy
of weather forecasting.
Learners use the weather forecasts on the BBC Weather
site and the weather warnings from the Met Office (see
‘Useful resources’) to identify the likelihood of severe
weather in the next five days.
Useful resources
XC Weather
http://www.xcweather.co.uk/
Success criteria
Learners can:

identify the main sources of weather forecasting
information

identify indicators of severe weather in a forecast

compare and contrast the accuracy of a range of
forecasts for a given area.
Possible evidence
Learners can:

describe the weather prediction for a given area based
on a weather forecast

elicit severe weather warnings from a variety of sources
and compare the data provided

present sources of weather forecasting and weather
alerts in a creative format

comment on the accuracy of weather forecasting.
Reflecting on learning
BBC Weather
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/

Why is it important to have warning of severe weather?

What would be the most effective way of warning people
that severe weather was forecast?
BBC Class clips: Weather forecast for snowy UK
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/weather-forecast-forsnowy-uk/5838.html
Taking it further
Met Office: Severe weather warnings (UK)
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.
html
Learners could further develop their knowledge of weather
systems using Education Scotland’s Weather and Climate
Change website.
SEPA Floodline
http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding/sepas_floodline_service.aspx
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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