Weather, Climate and Storms: Class 7 Study Guide
Weather changes from day to day, and climate is its long-term pattern. Winds blow from high pressure to low pressure.
Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere: temperature, humidity (water vapour in the air), rainfall, wind speed and cloud. Climate is the average weather over a long time. India has a monsoon climate with hot, rainy and cool seasons.
Wind is moving air. Warm air rises, making low pressure, and cooler air moves in. By the sea, a sea breeze blows from sea to land in the day, and a land breeze blows from land to sea at night.
Instruments
| Instrument | Measures |
|---|---|
| Thermometer | Temperature |
| Rain gauge | Rainfall |
| Anemometer | Wind speed |
| Wind vane | Wind direction |
| Barometer | Air pressure |
Cyclones
A cyclone forms over warm sea where very low pressure draws in winds that spin. It has a calm centre called the eye. Cyclones bring strong winds, heavy rain and a rise in sea level called a storm surge. They form in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, and forecasters warn coastal people so they can move to shelters.
It rises.
Winds rush in and spin.
Rain and surge.
Go to shelters.
Staying safe
Listen to weather warnings on radio, phone and TV. Keep a kit with water, food, a torch and a first-aid box. Stay indoors and away from windows. After a storm, avoid fallen wires and floodwater.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which instrument measures rainfall? A rain gauge. Example: Is it safest in the eye of a cyclone? No, the calm is temporary. Common mistakes: mixing up weather and climate, and thinking that the calm eye means the storm is over.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. An anemometer. 2. The calm centre of the storm. 3. For example drinking water or a torch.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Weather is short-term and climate is long-term.
- Wind blows from high to low pressure.
- Cyclones form over warm seas.
- Follow warnings and be prepared.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Which instrument measures wind speed?
- What is the eye of a cyclone?
- Name one thing to keep in an emergency kit.
Print a science observation log →