Hurricane Tracking Lab – Weather, Meteorology, Air Pressure, Worksheet

Bring the science of hurricanes to life in your classroom with this hands-on Hurricane Tracking Lab that gets students thinking like real meteorologists. Instead of just reading about storms, students analyze authentic weather data from the historic 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane as it moves through San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Students track how a hurricane evolves by graphing and interpreting changes in air pressure, wind speed, temperature, rainfall, and wind direction, then connect it all to the storm’s real-world path. It’s data analysis, graphing, and Earth systems thinking all in one place, with a strong focus on patterns and cause-and-effect relationships.

Why You’ll Love This Lab:

• Real-world data students can actually connect to an event that happened
• High engagement as students “see” the storm build, peak, and weaken through their graphs
• Strong NGSS alignment with weather, climate, and Earth systems standards
• Built-in analysis that pushes students beyond graphing into true interpretation
• Flexible for middle school, high school, and differentiated classrooms
• Minimal prep with clear structure that still feels rigorous and meaningful

What’s Included:

• Student Hurricane Tracking Lab Worksheet that guides students through graphing, mapping, and data analysis of a real hurricane event
• Instructor Answer Key with completed graphs and detailed responses for easy grading and support
• Comprehensive Teacher Guide that provides everything you need to confidently teach the lab, including setup tips, pacing, NGSS alignment, misconceptions, differentiation ideas, and instructional insight to deepen student understanding

If you’re looking for a lab that goes beyond “fill in the graph” and actually helps students understand how hurricanes work as connected systems, this one delivers.