K-ESS3-2: Why We Forecast Severe Weather
Also called NGSS K-ESS3-2 · Topic: Weather and Climate · Earth and Space Science
The Official Wording
Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on local forms of severe weather.
NGSS Lead States, 2013 · Read it on nextgenscience.org · checked October 15, 2026
What K-ESS3-2 Means in Plain English
Kindergartners ask questions to find out why people forecast the weather and how a forecast helps families and schools get ready for storms. They learn about the severe weather where they live, like thunderstorms, blizzards, floods or hurricanes, and what people do to stay safe.
The focus is on the storms that happen nearby, not the science of how forecasts are made. It builds on the daily weather watching in K-ESS2-1 and leads to 3-ESS3-1, where students compare designs that lessen the harm from weather hazards.
K-ESS3-2 I Can Statements
- I can ask a question about the weather forecast.
- I can tell why people check the weather forecast.
- I can name one way to stay safe in a storm.
K-ESS3-2 Worked Example
A storm-ready project a class can run across one week of real forecasts.
How does a weather forecast help our class get ready for a thunderstorm?
Set It Up: A question chart on chart paper, the week's forecast from a weather app shown on the classroom screen, and picture cards of storm safety steps.
- List what the class wonders about storms on the question chart.“How do they know a storm is coming?”
- Look at the week's forecast together and find any storm symbols.A thunderstorm cloud on Thursday
- Ask the principal what the school does on stormy days.Indoor recess and an inside pickup line
- Make a Thursday plan with the picture cards.Raincoats, indoor recess, “When thunder roars, go indoors”
- On Thursday, check the sky and see if the forecast was right.Dark clouds and thunder by midday
The forecast gave the class two days of warning, so everyone had a plan and stayed safe and dry when the storm came.
Why it works: Forecasters study weather data to predict storms ahead of time, which gives people time to prepare before the danger arrives.
Common Mistakes with K-ESS3-2
Thinking a forecast is a promise
“It said rain and it didn't rain, so forecasts are useless.”
Try this: A forecast tells what will probably happen. Getting ready anyway keeps people safe if the storm does come.
Asking only yes-or-no questions
“Is it going to rain?” and nothing more
Try this: Add why and how questions, like “Why do people need to know about storms early?” to learn more from each answer.
Picking storms from far away
Planning for a hurricane in a town far from any coast
Try this: Find out which storms really happen where you live, like snowstorms or tornadoes, and plan for those first.
Where K-ESS3-2 Fits
Practice K-ESS3-2
Quick Check
- Why do people check the weather forecast?
- The forecast shows a thunderstorm tomorrow. What could your class do?
- Who makes weather forecasts?