Reading a Weather Map

Reading a Weather Map teaches students the skill every TV forecaster uses: reading a map at a glance. In one clean page, learners decode the four symbols that drive a forecast and then use them to predict real weather.

A visual symbol legend opens the activity, showing large, easy-to-read icons for high pressure (H), low pressure (L), cold fronts, and warm fronts, each paired with what it means for the weather and which way it moves. Students then study a labeled weather map featuring an H, an L, a cold front, a warm front, and three cities placed in different weather situations.

Six guided questions walk students through interpreting the map, from identifying pressure systems to predicting the weather change a city will feel as a cold front arrives. A short Think Like a Forecaster reasoning prompt closes the sheet, asking students to predict and explain what happens ahead of a warm front.

A full answer key is included with answers in red for fast grading. Aligned to NGSS MS-ESS2-5. Great for intro lessons, sub plans, homework, or interactive notebooks. Just print and teach.