How a Warmer Arctic Could Intensify Extreme Weather

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Vox

Open Resource

What it is

In this video, scientists explain the link between the warming Arctic, Arctic sea ice decline, and extreme weather events thousands of miles away.
Students will learn about the jet stream, the albedo effect, global wind patterns, and recent extreme weather events.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video shows students a sequence of events that start with the warming of the Arctic and end with colder continents in the winter.
Students learn about new concepts and can review real-life examples of extreme weather in some countries.

Additional Prerequisites

Students need to be familiar with concepts such as sea ice and extreme weather.
There is a brief advertisement before the video.
It is recommended that the video be paused at the graphs to help students analyze the data, and paused at 1 minute 50 seconds so students can see the jet stream on the map.

Differentiation

The teacher could ask students to draw the process shown in the video from the melting of ice to the creation of larger amounts of greenhouse gases.
After watching the video, students could discuss or write an explanation of this statement, "Warm Arctic, Cold Continents."
A geography or science class could use this video for lessons about weather, climate, global wind patterns, or the effects of weather on human society and civilizations.
Other recommended resources related to this topic include What Melting Sea Ice Means for Life In The Arctic and Arctic Climate Perspectives.

From the scientist review

The Arctic temperatures are rising as a result of global warming, and more evident catastrophic events are likely to occur in the future. Sea ice is melting and weather is becoming more erratic and extreme. This resource is insightful and recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth, North America, North America > United States, Polar Regions
Provider: Vox
Authors: Vox
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-PS1-4. + 37 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
D2.Geo.2.6-8D2.Geo.2.6-8 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
D2.Geo.3.9-12D2.Geo.3.9-12 Use geographic data to analyze variations in the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics at multiple scales.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

6.ESS2.56.ESS2.5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
7.PS1.47.PS1.4 Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
7.ESS3.27.ESS3.2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
SS.Geog1.b.mSS.Geog1.b.m Interpret patterns in a variety of maps, charts, and graphs to display geographic information (contour, cartogram, population, natural resource, historical maps) and explain relationships among them.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS1-4MS-PS1-4 Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5MS-ESS2-5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
GeographyGeography 1 (F1): Students understand the geography of the community, Maine, the United States, and various regions of the world, and geographic influences on life in the past, present, and future by using the geographic grid and a variety of types of maps, including digital sources, to locate and access relevant geographic information that reflects multiple perspectives.
GeographyGeography 1 (F1): Students understand the geography of the United States and various regions of the world and the effect of geographic influences on decisions about the present and future by analyzing the local, national, and global geographic data on physical, environmental, and cultural processes that shape and change places and regions.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

GR.8.1.GR.8.1. Use location terms and geographic representations, such as maps, photographs, satellite images, and models to describe where places are in relation to each other and connections between places; evaluate the benefits of particular places for purposeful activities.
MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and phase (state) of a substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

6.Geo.2.b.6.Geo.2.b. Explain the relationship between the locations of places and regional characteristics using maps and other representations (e.g., religious centers, Nile River flooding, sea level rise in Venice, New Northwest Passage).
MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-PS1-4MS-PS1-4 Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5MS-ESS2-5 Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-2MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects
SS.6-8.G.1.LC.SS.6-8.G.1.LC. Use geographic representations (e.g., maps, photographs, satellite images) to explain relationships between the locations (places and regions) and changes in their environment.
MS-PS1-4.MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.

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