Kids' Scrambles - Weather Words Quiz

The scrambled clue "dolcus" = clouds.

Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that float in the air. They form when warm, moist air rises and cools down in the sky. As the air cools, the water vapor in it turns into little drops of water that stick together to make clouds. Different types of clouds can tell us what kind of weather is coming.

Fascinating fact: Clouds can weigh millions of pounds, even though they look light and fluffy!

The scrambled clue "oibarwn" = rainbow.

Rainbows appear in the sky when sunlight shines through raindrops. The light bends, or refracts, as it enters the raindrop, then bounces off the inside and bends again as it leaves. This process separates the sunlight into different colors. You can usually see a rainbow when the sun is behind you and rain is falling in front of you.

Fascinating fact: No two people see exactly the same rainbow because each person's eyes catch light from different raindrops.

The scrambled clue "toanodr" = tornado.

Tornadoes form when warm, moist air near the ground meets cold, dry air from above. This causes the warm air to rise quickly, creating strong winds that start to spin. If the spinning air tilts and stretches upward inside a storm cloud, it can form a funnel that touches the ground.

Fascinating fact: The United States has more tornadoes than any other country in the world, especially in the area called "Tornado Alley."

The scrambled clue "uensinsh" = sunshine.

Sunshine comes from the light and heat produced by the Sun, which is a giant ball of hot gases. Deep inside the Sun, hydrogen atoms combine, creating a huge amount of energy. This energy travels through space and reaches Earth as sunlight.

Fascinating fact: It takes sunlight a little over eight minutes to travel from the Sun to Earth!

The scrambled clue "oofdl" = flood.

Floods can form after heavy rain, after snow melts, or when rivers and lakes overflow. Sometimes, ocean storms like hurricanes can push large waves onto land, causing coastal flooding. Floodwater can move very fast and be strong enough to sweep away cars and damage buildings.

Fascinating fact: Two feet (60 cm) of floodwater is enough to carry away most cars!

The scrambled clue "uieacnhrr" = hurricane.

A hurricane starts when warm, moist air rises and meets cooler air above, causing powerful winds to spin around a calm center called the eye. The storm grows stronger as it pulls in more warm air and energy from the ocean. When wind speeds reach 74 mph (119 kph) or more, it's officially a hurricane.

Fascinating fact: Hurricanes lose their strength when they move over land because they no longer have warm ocean water to fuel them.

The scrambled clue "zziblrda" = blizzard.

Blizzards form when warm, moist air rises over very cold air, creating heavy snowfall. If strong winds (at least 35 mph/56 kph) blow the snow around for several hours, it becomes a blizzard. These storms can make it hard to see or travel, and they can cause dangerous cold temperatures.

Fascinating fact: The word "blizzard" was first used in the United States in the 1800s to describe a strong snowstorm in Iowa.

The scrambled clue "godtrhu" = drought.

Droughts form when weather patterns keep rain clouds away or when high temperatures cause water to evaporate faster than it's replaced. This can dry up rivers, lakes, and soil, making it hard for plants, animals, and people to find enough water. Farmers often struggle to grow crops during a drought, and wildfires can start more easily in dry areas.

Fascinating fact: Some droughts can last for many years, even decades, before the land gets enough rain again.

The scrambled clue "edifwirl" = wildfire.

Wildfires often start when lightning strikes or when people are careless with campfires or matches. They spread easily when the weather is hot and windy because these conditions help flames move faster and burn more fuel, like trees and grass. Firefighters work hard to control wildfires and protect homes and wildlife.

Fascinating fact: Certain types of trees actually need the heat from a wildfire to open their cones and release seeds.

The scrambled clue "eiladsndl" = landslide.

Landslides happen when soil becomes too wet or unstable, and gravity pulls it downhill, sometimes very quickly. Landslides can block roads, damage homes, and change the shape of the land. People who live in hilly or mountainous areas are especially careful during heavy rain.

Fascinating fact: Some landslides can move as fast as a car on a highway, reaching speeds of over 50 mph (80 kph)!

The scrambled clue "tlhggnnii" = lightning.

Lightning forms when tiny ice and water particles inside storm clouds bump into each other, causing electrical charges to build up. The top of the cloud becomes positively charged, and the bottom becomes negatively charged. When the difference between these charges grows strong enough, the energy is released as a bright bolt of lightning.

Fascinating fact: A single lightning bolt can be hotter than the surface of the Sun!

The scrambled clue "ntdaosrms" = sandstorm.

Sandstorms usually form in dry, desert areas where there isn't much vegetation to hold the soil in place. When the wind gets strong enough, it lifts tiny particles of sand and dirt high into the sky. This creates thick clouds that can make it hard to see and breathe.

Fascinating fact: Sand from the Sahara Desert can be carried by the wind all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to South America!