YOur Weather Box It’s Raining with a chance of fun! It is warm outside. It is drizzling a bit. What better time to embrace the weather and have fun in the rain? Feel those rain drops on your hands! Watch the rain jump off ground! Then go inside and dry off!
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WEATHER Dear fellow OUTSiDER, One of the biggest factors in determining what you can do outside is the weather. Being prepared for it and knowing how to react to changes in weather makes for a successful time spent outdoors. Each type of weather comes with its own beauty and danger. This booklet discusses some of the more general weather conditions and explains how to adapt to these conditions. Weather cannot only change daily, but even hourly. Learning how to predict impending weather changes, also called forecasting, can be helpful in staying safe outdoors. As you are practicing your weather skills, we'd love to hear about your experiences @thinkoutsideboxes. Over & Out! THiNK OUTSiDE Remember: April 22nd is Earth Day! We encourage you to participate in events to help protect our environment!
What these icon mean
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Q. What do you call a wet bear? A. A drizzly bear
This Month's Gear NECK WARMER 100% eco-f riendly microfiber Versatile use
HAT
Wide brim sunhat Fast drying Adjustable straps; allows you to grow into it
EMERGENCY BLANKET Backpack Cover Raincover for 30L- 40L backpacks Adjustable High visibility
Resource Cards Water resistant reference cards around clouds
Lightweight Reusable Protects f rom rain and wind
Activity Supplies Biodegradable wooden stick, balloons & rubber band
WEATHER What is weather? Weather is what happens outdoors at any given time. Weather refers to changes in the atmosphere that occur on a daily basis. It is sunshine, wind, rain, or snow, and varies across the planet. When it is sunny in one place, it may rain or snow in another place. Things that affect weather include the sun, atmosphere, or season. There are two main components of weather: wind and weather f ronts.
Wind Wind is nothing more than air moving in the atmosphere f rom a place with high air pressure to a place with low pressure. When areas of low pressure and high pressure meet, the air will want to move f rom the high pressure area to the low pressure area, which creates wind. The larger the difference in temperature between the two pressure areas, the faster the wind will blow.
Q. What is the opposite of a warm front?
Cool air is heavier than warm air. High pressure is cold, dry air. It sinks and creates clear skies. Low pressure is warm, moist air. It rises and forms clouds.
Weather Fronts A weather f ront is the transition between two air masses
The science of weather is called meteorology. Meteorologists study the weather and try to predict it.
A cold f ront is where cold air meets warm air. The cold air moves under the warm air, forcing the warmer air to rise quickly. Because the warm air can rise quickly, cold f ronts can cause heavy rain and thunderstorms. A warm f ront is where warm air meets cold air. The warm air rises slowly over the top of the cold air. Warm f ronts can cause long periods of light rain and drizzle.
A. A cold back
CLIMATE While weather refers to daily changes in the atmosphere, climate refers to patterns of weather that occur over a long period of time, such as years or centuries. For example, a region could have a wet climate overall, but on hot days, the weather can be sunny for the day.
Types of Climate In general, our Earth is divided up into five climate zones: tropical, dry, mild, cold, and polar. These climate zones correspond to the type of vegetation and animals that exist there. For example, rain forests need warm and wet climates to thrive. On the other hand, polar bears need cold climates to live. Changes in climate can have drastic affects on a variety of plant and animal species, to the point where they can become endangered or extinct. In addition, extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, or heat/cold waves, can cause severe damages to homes, inf rastructure, and people.
Fun Facts about Climate The equator is generally the warmest region on Earth as sunlight hits the land and ocean at a direct angle. The wettest place on Earth is Mawsynram, Assam in India with 467 in (11,861 mm) of rain a year. The United States (excluding Hawaii and Alaska), comparatively, averages 30 in (760 mm) of rain and snow per year. The driest place on Earth is the Atacama Desert in Chile which gets virtually no measurable rain on a yearly basis.
Did you know that ... 1. the wind doesn't make a sound until it blows against an object? 2. every second around 100 lightning bolts strike the Earth? 3. a cubic mile (or 4 cubic kilometers) of ordinary fog contains less than a gallon (or 3.7 liters) of water?
CLOUDS Who doesn't love clouds? We see them nearly every day as they hang out in the sky and block out the sun. Clouds take on so many different shapes, forms, and colors. Clouds can completely change up a sky. But do you know how clouds form and that there are many different types of clouds?
Cloud Formation Most clouds form when warm air rises in the atmosphere and cools down. While all air contains some water vapor, warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air. When warm air cools, the water vapor turns into tiny droplets of water or ice. As more and more air cools down, more droplets form and they eventually become a cloud. Your Resource Cards describe many different types of clouds. The clouds you see can help forecast upcoming weather.
Sunlight warms the ground
Air cools and condenses to form clouds
Warm, moist air rises
Q. What did the cloud say to the lighting bolt?
WET WEATHER While you sometimes may complain about wet weather, rain is important to sustaining life and our planet. Rain provides us with f resh drinking water, it helps farmers grow their crops and our food, and it keeps everything green and lush. The below diagram illustrates how rain is formed.
The Water Cycle
Evaporation (turning liquid [water] into gas): Heat f rom the Sun causes water, such as in oceans, lakes, or rivers, to evaporate and rise into the sky. Cloud Formation: This water vapor collects in the sky in the form of clouds. Condensation: As the water vapor in the clouds cools down, it becomes water again. Precipitation: The water then falls f rom the sky in the form A. You of rain, snow, hail, or sleet. are shocking! Collection: Oceans, lakes, or rivers collect the precipitation. Water evaporates into the sky again and the cycle renews
KNOW THAT CLOUD Take your Resource Cards and go outside. If it is warm enough, bring a picnic blanket so you can lay down on the ground looking straight up in the sky! Try to identify the types of clouds you can see and predict the weather that will likely occur within the next 24 hours. The graphic below is meant to give you a quick overview of some of the main clouds listed in your Resource Cards.
If it sun ny ou tsi de , ma ke sur e to we ar yo ur sun gl as ses !
Eight Clouds by Sky Position
Why are you being so Cirrus? Because We need a stratus-gy
Ne ver lo ok dir ect ly at the sun . It ca n da ma ge yo ur eye s!
Cloud Journaling & Prediction Use the table below to keep track of your observations and to check back on your predictions.
Date
Type of cloud
Prediction
Keep checking the sky on different days to really get a feel for how much it and its clouds change so you can improve your cloud recognition skills!
DIY BAROMETER Did you know that there is an instrument called a barometer that can be used to measure air pressure? By checking air pressure tendency, you can forecast short-term changes in the weather. Here is a simple way do build your own barometer.
Materials you'll need Glass jar | Balloon | Scissors | Rubber band Wooden stick | Tape | Paper | Pencil
Instructions Cut the neck of the balloon, then stretch the bottom part of the balloon over the opening of your jar. Pull it as tight as possible so the balloon fits flat with no dimple in the middle. Hold the balloon in place with a rubber band to make it airtight.
1.
2. Tape the wooden stick flat to the top of the balloon and at the center of your jar.
3. Draw a sun at the top and a rain cloud towards the bottom of your paper. Add some lines to each drawing.
4.
Tape the paper against a flat surface and place your jar near it. Carefully record the location of where the stick hits the paper, long with a time stamp. After 20 minutes or so, check the location of the stick again. If it moved, mark the new location of the straw on the paper. Continue checking and recording as often as you want.
Compare your readings against the weather outside. Is your wooden stick pointing in the right direction? If you have a real barometer at home, check it as well and compare your readings!
Why it works High pressure makes the balloon cave in and the stick go up. This means the pressure inside your jar is less than the outside air. Low pressure makes the balloon puff up and the stick go down. This means the pressure inside your jar is greater than the outside air.
OLD FASHIONED PREDICTIONS While clouds can help you predict the weather now, back in the day, people made forecasts based on their observations of the sky, animals, and nature. These pages share some of the more fun ways that may help you predict the weather when you are outside.
Checking for rain The louder the f rogs, the more the rain. "Cows in a huddle, expect a puddle." If cattle are all lying down in a group in the fields, a severe storm is imminent. "Ring around the moon? Rain real soon." A ring around the moon usually indicates that a warm f ront is on its way, which means rain. If your flowers smell stronger than normal, rain is on its way. If you make a fire and smoke curls and wisps, a low pressure system, and thus rain, is on its way. "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning." A reddish sunrise means that dry air f rom the west has already passed over, clearing the way for a storm to move in.
Checking for Fair Weather If birds are flying high in the sky, fair weather will stay around. "Red sky at night, sailors delight." A reddish sunset means that the air is dusty and dry. If there is dew on the grass in the morning, chances are it won’t rain that day. If you make a fire outside and the smoke goes straight up, you will have good weather. If it rains before seven, it will clear before eleven. Straighter hair means dry weather, since hair on your head will curl when damp.
Checking for Temperature Count the number of cricket chirps in 14 seconds, then add 40, and you will get an approximate outside Fahrenheit temperature.
THUNDERSTORMS You most likely experienced quite a few thunderstorms in your life already. Thunderstorms can occur throughout the year and at any time of day, but they most often happen in the spring and summer and during afternoon or evening. A thunderstorm is a storm that has lightning and thunder. It is produced by a cumulonimbus cloud and typically comes with strong winds and heavy rain. For a thunderstorm to form, you need three things: 1) moisture to form clouds and rain; 2) unstable air that is warm and can rise rapidly; and 3) lift, such as f rom sea breezes or mountains
What makes the loud noise? The loud thunder you hear is actually caused by lightning. Simply put, lightning is a strong discharge of electricity, and when it travels through the air, the air rapidly expands and contracts, causing vibrations. As the vibrations die out, they generate the rumbling we call thunder.
HOW FAR AWAY IS THE STORM? Use thunder as a way to tell how far a storm is away! Simply count the number of seconds between when you see the lightning and hear the thunder. Then take that number of seconds and divide it by 5 to give you the distance in miles (or divide by 3 for kilometers). EXAMPLE: 20 (seconds) / 5 = 4 miles
As soon as you hear thunder, move indoors!
LIGHTNING When lightning strikes, you don't want to be caught outside. So whenever you have a chance, always go inside a house until lightning is over. Although not ideal, a car can serve as cover if necessary. That said, if you are outside caught in a thunderstorm with no house nearby, here are a few tips to stay safe:
Seek Shelter Immediately As soon as you hear thunder, even without rain or seeing lightning, seek a safe spot that can protect you f rom lightning. Even a thunderstorm in the distance can result in lightning near you.
Avoid Tents as Shelter Many tents have f rames made out of metallic or of other conductive materials, which means they can attract lightning. A natural cave can serve as a great shelter option.
Stay Low & Avoid Open Fields If you're stuck outside and can't find shelter, get as low to the ground as possible, but only have your feet touch the ground. Do not lay flat. Cover your ears. Find a dry ditch or some other depression and get in. Avoid open fields and being the tallest thing or near the tallest thing during a thunderstorm!
Avoid Bodies of Water While water doesn't attract lightning, electricity goes through water easily and can cause severe electric shock when in the water. When you hear thunder, move away f rom any type of water, including pools!
Lighting can strikes 5 to 10 mil or 8 to 10 m) away from the storm!
DIY LIGHTNING Lightning is one of the most fascinating phenomena of nature. When storms develop, clouds are charged with electricity. And when the voltage becomes really high, the electricity "jumps" across the air f rom one place to another, resulting in lightning flashes. Below is a fun activity to demonstrate how lightning occurs.
Materials you need : Rubber balloon | Fluorescent light bulb
Instructions:
1.
Find a room that doesn't have (m)any windows, like a bathroom or basement. Turn off all the lights to make it dark.
rub the balloon on your hair for several 2. Now seconds to build up electrical charge, also referred to as static electricity.
hold the balloon next to the top of the 3. Then light bulb and watch the bulb light up as the
electrical charge jumps f rom the balloon to the bulb to illuminate it.
4.
Repeat as many times as you'd like and test out how well the bulb lights up depending on its proximity to the balloon.
DIY WIND VANE A wind vane, or weather vane, is a piece of equipment that helps you determine the direction of the wind. Below is a way to make your own. All you'll need are: Card Paper | Scissors | Straight Pin | Straw Pencil | Paper Cup Using your scissors, cut out a triangle and arrow tail on your card paper. Using your scissors, make small cuts on both ends of your straw. Insert the triangle and arrow tail of your wind vane in the cuts on your straw. Take the pin and pierce it thru the center of the straw and attach it to the eraser on your pencil. Make sure the straw can turn smoothly. Create a base using the paper cup by simply piercing a hole in the paper cup and placing the pencil in it. Mark the cup with the cardinal directions.
If the arrow is pointing east, that means the wind is blowing from the east.
Now take your wind vane outside to an open green space and push the pencil into the ground for stability. Make sure that the cardinal directions are facing the right direction. Watch your vane turn with the wind!
HOT WEATHER DANGERS It can get really hot in the summer! This extreme heat can not only make us very uncomfortable but can also cause our body harm. Sweat is our body's natural way to cool down a rising core body temperature. By sweating out moisture, which then evaporates on our skin, we feel cooler. Yet, in extreme heat, we either sweat too much for it to have time to evaporate, or high humidity prevents moisture f rom evaporating. We then sweat even more, which eventually leads to dehydration.
1. Dehydration Dehydration refers to a harmful reduction of water in our body. When we are dehydrated, we become very thirsty. This is our body's way of telling us that we need to replenish the fluids we've lost with all the sweating. Signs of Dehydration Low/very dark urine Very dry skin Fainting
Rapid heartbeat / breathing Lack of energy & confusion Feeling dizzy / light-headed
2. Heat Stroke If our body heat doesn't lessen, our body may lose its ability to cool itself. We stop sweating and become nauseated, weak, and uncoordinated. If you are feeling Signs of Heat Stroke Throbbing headache Dizziness
Lack of sweating Red, hot dry skin
Cool your body and keep it cool! Find shade and rest as much as possible. Drink a lot of water, but drink in small sips. Soak clothing, hats, and towels in water. Eat regular meals to replenish electrolytes.
thirsty , you are already dehydrated!
STAY COOL Keep cool in hot weather! The clothing you wear is paramount to both your comfort and your health.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing Clothing should be loose enough to allow air flow between the fabric and your skin so that sweat can evaporate. Without evaporation, you can't cool. Your clothing should also be lightweight to allow air to flow through the fabric. Light colored clothing, like white or beige tones, are ideal, as they reflect sunlight.
Soak clothing or towels in water Soak your shirt in water, using a stream or by pouring some water f rom a bottle over it (only if you have enough water!). Give it a wring and put it back on to cool off quicker. Alternatively, if you have a towel with you, get it wet and place it on the back of your neck
Wear a sun hat Hats are useful in many different ways. They can keep sun out of our eyes and off our face. When soaked in water, they can also keep our head nice and cool.
Find shade No matter what you’re doing, you should look for shade and cool off in it as much as possible, especially when you feel your body temperature rising.
Let outside sources of water evaporate on your skin so you don’t have to sweat as much.
Don't overexert yourself Around 80% of the energy we burn through physical activity is transformed into heat. Take breaks in the shade and don’t push yourself too hard. Take it slow!
Drink water! Drink as much water as you can. Always bring more water than you think you need. While you should try to replenish your body’s electrolytes, if possible, know that water is more important than eating!
COLD WEATHER DANGERS Don't be a cold weather victim either! Just like in heat, our bodies can be negatively affected by severe cold.
1. Frostbite Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 seconds when our skin is exposed to wind chill temperatures of -5°F or -2°C or below. In general, higher wind speeds and lower temperatures increase the risk for getting f rostbite Signs of Frostbite Numbness in the affected area White patches on skin that can turn black if severe Hardening of the affected area
2. HYPOTHERMIA Hypothermia is when your body's vital organs, such as your heart, lungs, kidneys, or brain, start to significantly drop in temperature. You start to shiver and feel drowsy. Your Shelter booklet describes this in more detail. Signs of Hypotermia Shivering Weak pulse Slurred speech/mumbling Drowsiness Slow, shallow breathing Confusion/memory loss
It is critical to warm you or the affected area! Move indoors and remove all wet clothing and replace with dry clothing. Warm area with warm water or sit near heat. TIP: If your fingertips are affected, warm them under your armpits, because they are often your warmest body part during f reezing weather. Drink warm liquids to warm your temperature.
Never massage or rub an affected area!
EMERGENCY BLANKET The emergency blanket that came in your box is a great tool to have with you in the outdoors. Not only can it be used to wrap yourself in it to stay nice and warm, but there are many other creative ways to utilize it when in a pinch. Below are just a few ideas that you may want to test out:
Insulation Use it as an insulator by adding it to your sleeping bag. Or, when you are hiking outdoors, you may want to consider cutting smaller pieces off to stuff into your shoes and gloves, helping you to avoid f rostbite.
Hydration Since the blanket is a waterproof sheet, you can use it to catch and collect water, such as rain. In a snowy area, you can melt snow by placing snow on the blanket in the sun; then funnel water into a container.
Signaling The reflective surface is great to bounce light off to signal for help. If you string it to a tree, the fluttering motion in the wind may make the signal even more effective.
COOL WEATHER APPAREL Staying warm in cold weather can make a huge difference in your comfort level and health. Here are a few basics to keep you warm in the outdoors.
Layer up Layering up helps regulate your body temperature. Multiple layers are better than one thick layer because they trap air between them. The air is then warmed by your body and acts as an insulator against the cold. The outer layer should be wind and waterproof. Always make sure to pack an extra set of base layers and wool socks in a waterproof bag in case you need dry clothes.
Cover your head Your body loses up to 90% of heat through your head if you don't cover it up. Always keep a hat on when it's cold outside to keep the heat in and your head dry!
Keep active While staying active will help you maintain a good flow of warm blood, be careful to not overexert yourself. When you are too sweaty, the moisture will zap heat away f rom you. So always keep a moderate pace for your activities whether hiking or building a shelter. Slow down or stop to rest periodically to avoid burning yourself out.
Stay fueled When you are active, you burn a lot of energy, so make sure you consume extra calories and drink extra liquids. High calorie/low weight rations, such as nuts, granola bars, or power bar type foods are great. Gatorade powder mixed with water can help you stay hydrated even better than water alone.
USE THAT NECKWARMER There are so many different ways to use a neck warmer. Below are just 8 examples of how to use it. Which style you use depends on the weather and conditions outside!
IST
W .T
1
2. fLIP ONE SIDE OVER THE OTHER
Every time you test out a new style, also check how you feel with and without it when being outside. For example, does the Balaclava make you feel warmer? Or does the head band help with catching your sweat when it's warm outside or when you are active?
WHERE TO PITCH A TENT You've checked the weather and learned that it may rain the next day. While this isn't a reason not to go camping, you want to carefully choose your tent spot.
Find higher ground with trees overhead Ideally, find an area with high ground and trees above. It doesn't have to be the highest point possible, but avoid the lowest. Low areas could collect run-off and become puddles in heavy rain. If thunderstorms are expected, move to lower ground / elevations. Valleys are typically the wettest and coldest areas. If you have to camp in a river bed or valley, always set up above the high water mark to stay dry and safe in case of a flash flood.
Use tarps or waterproof gear for extra protection The reason to find a campsite with trees overhead is that you can create yourself an additional outdoor shelter using a tarp and paracord. If you didn't bring a tarp, be creative: You might be able to use ponchos, an emergency blanket, or any other waterproof gear as a "roof.
Dry out your gear When rain sneaks up on you, you often end up with wet clothes and gear. It is important to dry out your gear so you don't get too cold. Once the rain stops, you can make a clothes line and hang up your wet clothes. If you created a tarp shelter, make a clothes line under the tarp
FIRE WHEN IT'S WET? Making a fire is one of the most important survival skills, but it can be difficult to do when it is wet outside. Here are some tips on how to be successful in finding good fire wood despite rain:
Locate the dry side of a tree If there has been rain, look for the dry side of a tree. While the wet side may look dry, the internal wood or bark may still be dampish, making it harder to light.
Look for dry wood and tinder As you hike or go through the forest, always keep an eye out for tinder, dried pine sap, birch bark, or other natural fire starters. Don’t use anything green! While a green plant may be dry, it doesn't mean it will burn. Always look for dry wood only
Search for wood above ground Your October Fire booklet shares several ways on how to stack a fire, such as the tipi or log cabin. The key is to remember to use dry wood and to leave spaces between the wood so the fire can breathe.
Stack wood the right way Your October Fire booklet shares several ways on how to stack a fire, such as the tipi or log cabin. The key is to remember to use dry wood and to leave spaces between the wood so the fire can breathe.
GLOBAL FEATURE:
Samarskaya Luka National Park Russia The Samarskaya Luka National Park (in Russian spelled: Самарская Лука национальный парк) is located in the East European forest steppe eco-region a transition zone between the forests of the North and the grasslands to the South. The park is characterized by different types of forests and riverene wetlands and high biodiversity. Over 1,500 species of plants have been recorded in the park's borders. In fact, scientists have found plants here that existed since the last Ice Age and some can be found nowhere else in the world. Samarskaya Luka was founded in 1984 and is about 300,000 acres (or 1,200 sq km) in size, The natural preserve also includes all of the area between the bend of the Volga and Usa rivers - hence the English translation: "Samara Bend."
So Many Climate Zones! With Russia being the largest country on Earth, Russia has almost all climate zones of the world, except for the tropical climates. This means that summers can be warm and even hot, winters can be very cold in certain areas, and precipitation varies f rom region to region.
The most extreme climate can be found in the Northern and Northeastern parts of Siberia during winter months where temperatures are the lowest in the world, except for the Antarctic Continent. In 2018, temperatures in parts of the Siberian region of Yakutia were reported to have dropped to -88°F (or -67°C). That's even colder than the average temperature on Mars and will f reeze your eye lashes as soon as you'd step outside! The endangered Siberian Tiger is one of the most magnificent beasts in the wild. These solitary animals live in some of the remote birch forests and woodlands in Siberia’s southeast. Russia was the first country to grant the animal full protection.
PUZZLED
This puzzle is called Sudoku and is a great way to practice your logical thinking and your numbers skills in general.
INSTRUCTIONS Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear only once per row, once per column, and once per 3 by 3 box.
"I tried to catch some FOG EarLIER. I MIST."
EMPATHY: AIR QUALITY Our air is the most important asset to our life. Humans, animals, and plants all need air to live. The cleaner the air, the better we can breathe. Unfortunately, our air can become dirty. Dirty air, or air pollution, can result f rom natural events, such as forest fires or pollen dispersal; but more often occurs because of human activities, such as f rom industrial smoke or fumes or f rom emissions that our cars produce. Any pollutants in the air go into our lungs. On bad air quality days, children, seniors, and adults with asthma or other respiratory illnesses have a harder time breathing when outdoors. In some countries where the air is really bad and referred to as smog, people have to wear masks to cover their mouths and noses.
Things you can do to keep our air cleaner Walk and bike more. When driving, avoid excessive idling. If you are using a gas-powered mower, wait until evening hours to mow, especially on hot days with bad air
Sign up to get Air Quality alerts. The EPA website called www.airnow.gov has an email subscription service.
NATIONAL PARK SPOTLIGHT
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is known for its many geothermal areas, including boiling mud pots, brightly colored hot springs, and geysers that regularly erupt. The best-known geyser is called the Old Faithful.
A geyser is a hot spring in which water boils at irregular intervals, pushing water and steam into the air.
The canyon of the Yellowstone River contains several high water falls that are spectacular to see. The park is home to more than 60 mammal species. including gray wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, lynxes, bisons, and elks. Because of its variety of animal species, this park is considered one of the best wildlife viewing spots in the country. And because of its geothermal energy, this park experiences between 1,000 and 3,000 earth quakes each year!