Weather Simulator - Hands on Experiment for Kids to Create Wind Currents

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In this hands-on weather experiment, we simulated the global wind patterns caused by air warmed at the equator. This warmed air rises and moves northward to cooler areas of sinking cool air masses and then moves along the surface back to the equator, creating a loop. A similar effect is experienced near oceans and the great lakes when warm air on land rises, moves out to sea, and then returns as a cool sea breeze.

rain chamber

WATCH THE WIND CURRENT WEATHER EXPERIMENT VIDEO HERE!

WATCH THE RAIN CHAMBER EXPERIMENT HERE!

INSTRUCTIONS

Build a weather chamber, as shown below, by building a rectangular open box with sides about 10" wide except for the top. Make the top about 9.5" so you have room to slide an old storm window or piece of plexiglas up and down. Fasten a large piece of plywood or chipboard to the back. The dimensions should be about 2 ft high by 3 ft wide but it can vary. I made mine 34" by 26" to accommodate the old storm window I had. Also, nail on 1.5" strips on the front to hold the plexiglas or window in place. In addition, I made a baffle about 13" long to help the air form a stronger clockwise wind pattern. See this page for lots of pics of this weather chamber!
Place one or two pots of hot water on one side and hang a gallon bucket of ice and some additional frozen items or ice on the other side. Fasten a piece of tissue at the bottom.
With the window or plexiglas in a down position sealing off the chamber, you will very quickly see a wind forming within the chamber at the bottom, lightly blowing the tissue in a direction from cold to hot.
In addition to the wind current experiment, you can also simulate rain by placing the hot water under the hanging ice. Fairly quickly, the steam will condense on the ice pail and "rain" back down.