How Do Trees Affect the Weather? — Reading Comprehension

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This NGSS-aligned science reading passage explores how trees affect weather and climate. Students will learn about the role of trees in transpiration, temperature regulation, humidity, and wind patterns. The passage explains how forests like the Amazon can influence rainfall and how planting trees in cities can reduce the urban heat island effect. This reading is ideal for middle school students studying the water cycle, Earth's systems, or environmental science. It supports NGSS standard MS-ESS2-6 and builds science literacy through engaging, real-world examples of how living things interact with the environment.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Trees do much more than provide shade and beauty—they actually help shape the weather around us. Trees are an important part of Earth’s natural systems. They interact with the atmosphere, the water cycle, and even the temperature in ways that scientists can measure and observe.

One major way trees affect the weather is through transpiration. Transpiration is when water moves from a tree’s roots, up through the trunk and leaves, and then evaporates into the air as water vapor. This process adds moisture to the atmosphere, which can increase humidity and help form clouds. In large forests like the Amazon Rainforest, transpiration can even affect rainfall patterns hundreds of miles away.

Trees also help cool the air through shade and evaporation. When the sun heats the ground, it warms the air around it. But trees block some of that sunlight with their leaves. At the same time, transpiration helps lower temperatures by releasing water vapor, which absorbs heat. This is why forests and parks are often cooler than cities or open fields.

In urban areas, planting trees can reduce the urban heat island effect, which happens when cities become much warmer than nearby countryside. Tree-lined streets, parks, and green roofs can all help regulate temperatures and reduce the need for air conditioning.

Trees also play a role in wind and air movement. A row of trees can act like a windbreak, slowing down strong winds and protecting soil from erosion. At the same time, forests can influence air pressure and circulation patterns, which can impact weather on a larger scale.

In these ways, trees aren’t just part of nature—they help create the conditions that shape our weather and climate.

Fun Fact: A single large tree can release over 100 gallons of water into the air each day through transpiration!

What is transpiration?

Water flowing into tree rootsLeaves turning into waterWater vapor released from trees into the airRainfall falling directly on trees

How do trees add moisture to the air?

By catching raindropsThrough transpirationBy cooling the groundThrough photosynthesis

What weather effect can large forests like the Amazon create?

HurricanesStrong windsRainfall patterns far awayOcean currents

Why are forests cooler than open fields?

They have darker soilTrees produce heatTrees block sunlight and release water vaporAir doesn’t move through trees

What is the urban heat island effect?

When trees grow faster in citiesWhen cities are warmer than the surrounding countrysideWhen city trees attract more sunlightWhen it rains more in cities

How do trees affect wind?

They create tornadoesThey cause wind to blow fasterThey slow wind and protect the soilThey trap wind underground

What is the main idea of this passage?

Trees only grow in forestsTrees control all weather patternsTrees help shape local and global weatherTrees are not important in cities

If a city plants more trees, what might happen to local temperatures?

They might increaseThey will stay the sameThey might decreaseThey might cause more snow