JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Juan Day In The Life Of Atlantic Canada:
Hurricane of the East Coast
Lesson Overview:
Hurricane Juan left many residents of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
reeling in its wake. Flooding, power outages, property damage, fallen trees and
loss of life were some of the effects felt. In this lesson, students will look at the
following concepts:

The definition of a hurricane and its basic characteristics

Classifying Hurricane Juan according to the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Constructing a map of the path of Hurricane Juan.

Analyzing a weather statement.

Visual photo analysis of the damage left by Hurricane Juan.

Analyzing marine weather tables and making predictions.
Grade Level:
This lesson is structured for Grade 8-9 “Atlantic Canada In The Global
Community”. It can easily be modified for middle school Grades 7-8 or enhanced
for Grade 10 physical geography.
Time Required:
Two classes (50-minute classes)
Curriculum Connection (Province and course):
Atlantic Provinces Education Foundation:
“Atlantic Canada In The Global Community”, Grade 9, Nova Scotia, Prince
Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Grade 8, New Brunswick
Physical Setting 1.3
SCO 1.3.3: The student will be expected to use a map of world currents, identify
the currents that affect Atlantic Canada (K)
SCO 1.3.4: The student will be expected to describe the effect that ocean
currents can have on weather patterns and temperature (A)
SCO 1.3.7: The student will be expected to identify the factors that most affect
the climate of a selected area (A)
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Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
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JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Culture 1.5
SCO 1.5.8: The student will be expected to discuss trends in population patterns
that might appear in Atlantic Canada in the next decade (I)
Link to Canadian National Geography Standards:
Essential Element #1: The World in Spatial Terms
 Map, globe and atlas use (e.g., observing and analyzing relationships)
Oceans Scope & Sequence Standard #1: The World in Spatial Terms
 Use of spatial representations and technology
Essential Element #3: Physical Systems
 Global patterns of wind and water.
 Causes and patterns of extreme natural events (e.g. floods, hurricanes,
earthquakes, tornadoes)
Oceans Scope & Sequence Standard #3: Physical Systems
 Processes of extreme ocean events
Essential Element #5: Environment and Society
 Impact of natural and technological hazards/disasters on the human and
physical environment.
 Perceptions of and reactions to extreme natural events.
Oceans Scope & Sequence Standard #5: Environment and Society
 Ocean influences on humans
 Ocean influences on a global scale
Geographic Skill #1: Asking Geographic Questions
 Plan how to answer geographic questions
Geographic Skill #2: Acquiring Geographic Information
 Use a variety of research skills to locate and collect geographic data
 Use maps to collect and compile geographic information
Geographic Skill #5: Answering Geographic Questions
 Develop and present combinations of geographic information to answer
geographic questions
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required:



Access to the Internet
Map blanks of Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Student activity sheets
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JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Main Objective:
To have students understand the relationship that exists between our physical
environment and society, and to develop this understanding by collecting and
analyzing various types of data.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
 Acquire information about weather.
 Collect and compile information.
 Interpret information obtained from maps, graphs, data tables and
photographs.
 Analyze data, identify trends and make predictions.
 Create maps.
 Develop an understanding of the relationship between weather and
society.
The Lesson:
Lesson Development
Introduction
Teacher Activity

Pass out the Word Splash sheet
Student Activity

Have the students
make connections with
the words. Think-PairShare
 Have the students go to:
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/juan/summary_e.html

Have students talk about experience with Hurricane
Juan or another storm.

Have the students fill
out fact sheet Activity 1.

Pass out the Weather Statement
Sheet.

Have the students
complete Activity 2:
Weather Statement.

Pass out map blank of Atlantic Canada.

Have the students
complete Activity 3:
Tracking Hurricane
Juan.

Have the students
complete Activity 4:
Classification of
Hurricane Juan.
 Have the students go to:
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/hurricanes2.html
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Conclusion
JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:

NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Teacher will create several “What would happen if…”
statements for their local area with regards to violent
weather.

Future Wheel: students
will complete the
statements and share
with the class.
Lesson Extension:
Weather Chatting: Many times during our conversations the topic of weather is
mentioned. Have the students keep a tally of how often they hear weather
mentioned in a conversation over a weekend. Report back to the class their
findings and have a wrap up discussion.
Assessment of Student Learning:
Have the students satisfactorily complete the following:
 Fact sheet activity 1.
 Activity 2 Weather Statement.
 Map of Tracking Hurricane Juan.
 Activity 4 classification of Hurricane Juan.
Further Reading:
Use your textbook, EBSCO, Encyclopaedia or designated online sources to find
out information on hurricanes.
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JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Fact Sheet: Activity #1
Go to the following website, read the Quick Facts and answer the questions
below:
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/juan/summary_e.html
1.
What is the estimated diameter of the hurricane eye? ________________
2.
What is the estimated central pressure of Juan? ____________________
3.
What is the direction of the storm track? ___________________________
4.
What were the highest sustained winds? __________________________
5.
What were the rainfall amounts in Halifax Regional Municipality? _______
6.
What was the range of the storm surges? _________________________
7.
Wave heights were recorded at? ________________________________
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JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Analyzing a Weather Statement: Activity #2
Answer the following questions from analyzing the information provided below
the questions.
1. Using the weather statement, give the absolute and relative location of
Hurricane Juan.
2. What is the trend in wind speed from Sept. 26 to Sept. 30?
3. Using the information, explain why boaters should be concerned.
4. Discuss the role that convection plays in the strength of a hurricane.
5. From analyzing the ‘Marine Weather Table’, what date and times is Hurricane
Juan expected to reach its peak?
CANADIAN HURRICANE INFORMATION STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE
CANADIAN HURRICANE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENT CANADA AT 3.00 PM
ADT FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2003. (Weather statement has been modified for
this exercise)
THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY 9.00 PM ADT
... JUAN IS CONTINUING TO TRACK NORTH....
1. CURRENT POSITIONS, STRENGTH, CENTRAL PRESSURE AND MOTION
At 3.00 pm ADT... Hurricane Juan was located near latitude 32.8 N and longitude
62.1 W... about 130 nautical miles or 245 km east northeast of Bermuda.
Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 65 knots... 120 km/h... and central
pressure at 988 mb. Juan is moving north at 8 knots... 15 km/h.
2. FORECAST POSITION, CENTRAL PRESSURE AND STRENGTH
DATE
TIME ADT
LAT
LON
MSLPMAXMB
KTS
SEP 26
3.00 PM
32.8N
62.1W
988
65
SEP 27
3.00 AM
34.7N
62.6W
984
70
SEP 27
3.00 PM
36.7N
63.1W
983
70
SEP 28
3.00 AM
39.2N
63.5W
983
70
SEP 28
3.00 PM
43.4N
61.3W
992
60
SEP 29
3.00 AM
47.2N
62.3W
1000
50
SEP 29
3.00 PM
53.1N
57.4W
1002
45
SEP 30
3.00 AM
58.0N
56.4W
1004
40
SEP 30
3.00 PM
63.1N
59.6W
1006
35
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WIND- KMH
120
130
130
130
111
93
83
74
65
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JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
3. PUBLIC WEATHER IMPACTS AND WARNINGS SUMMARY
Heavy rain possible for western mainland Nova Scotia and PEI Sunday evening.
Strong winds for remainder of Nova Scotia. Possible storm surge along the
eastern shore of Nova Scotia Sunday night.
4. Marine weather impacts and warnings summary in outlook period: For
southwestern waters close to track of Juan, went with 40 to 50 knots due to
uncertainty in track path and storm intensity. However, Juan will likely still be at
hurricane strength as it crosses the southern boundary of our marine areas and
this is reflected in the outlook for west and east scotian slope marine areas.
5. TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
A. ANALYSIS
Convection has increased and become a little better organized. Juan has been
upgraded to hurricane strength as a consequence. From satellite imagery, Juan
appears to be moving north at about 8 kts.
B. PROGNOSTIC
There is a possibility of a storm surge along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia.
Again everything depends upon timing. We are presently in a run of high tides.
The lower of the two high tides occurs late Sunday evening. If Juan arrives at the
same time, there is potential for coastal flooding. However our latest suggests an
earlier arrival, which would significantly lessen any effects of storm surge. After
the storm moves north of the Maritimes it should continue northward and become
absorbed in the frontal system moving around the upper trough and likely stall in
the Davis Strait.
C. MARINE WEATHER
26/18Z
27/06Z
27/18Z
28/06Z
28/18Z
29/06Z
29/18Z
30/06Z
30/18Z
NE
180
180
240
240
240
300
200
200
200
PREDICTED WIND RADII (NM)
GALES
STORMS
SE SW NW NE SE SW NW
120 70
90
40
40
30
20
120 70
90
40
40
20
20
150 70
90
40
40
0
35
180 70
80
60
60
0
30
200 70
70
60
60
0
25
240 70
60
40
40
0
20
240 75
50
0
0
0
0
200 85
50
0
0
0
0
150 95
50
0
0
0
0
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Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
NE
20
20
30
30
0
0
0
0
0
HURRICANE
SE SW NW
20
20
10
20
15
0
30
0
0
30
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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JUAN DAY IN THE LIFE OF ATLANTIC CANADA:
NOVA SCOTIA – MIDDLE SCHOOL
Tracking Hurricane Juan: Activity #3
Using a blank map of Atlantic Canada draw the path that Hurricane Juan took as
it passed through Atlantic Canada. Include the following on your map: title,
legend, directional arrow, scale, border. Use the following website to find out the
path (storm track).
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/juan/track_e.html
Classification of Hurricanes: Activity #4
Using the Saffir-Simpson scale found at the following website:
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/hurricanes2.html
The quick facts and the photos found at:
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/juan/photos_e.html
http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/juan/photos2_e.html
Analyze the photos and information and give Hurricane Juan a classification.
Write a paragraph justifying your classification.
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