Weather apps are constantly evolving to provide more accurate and personalized forecasts. With advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, these apps are able to offer real-time updates and tailored recommendations. For example, the app Windy helps cyclists like Zoe Ashbridge track the direction of the wind, allowing them to plan their routes more efficiently and save time and energy. Weather forecasting models have become more accurate due to technological advancements, with the ultimate goal of helping to save lives and protect property.

The UK’s Met Office has made significant improvements to its digital weather maps and data, allowing users to see real-time movement of weather patterns and forecast up to five days in advance. To cater to specific needs, the Met Office has introduced dedicated beach and mountain forecasts, providing information on wind conditions, wave heights, and weather at different altitudes. The Met Office has also partnered with airlines to gather data from sensors on aircraft, enhancing forecast accuracy and enabling the prediction of extreme weather events and localized thunderstorms.

Weather forecasters are increasingly focused on communicating forecasts quickly and accurately, especially in the face of climate change and more unpredictable weather patterns. However, the lack of financial backing for weather app start-ups is a challenge, as investors in Silicon Valley, where many tech investors are based, do not typically experience extreme weather conditions. Nevertheless, weather app providers like Accuweather are investing in artificial intelligence to improve language translation and generate detailed phrases related to weather conditions. They are also prioritizing health and safety by providing information on air quality, wildfire predictions, and enhancing warnings and visualizations.

In conclusion, weather apps are leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to provide more accurate and personalized forecasts. These advancements allow users to plan their activities more efficiently, save time and energy, and make informed decisions based on real-time weather updates. The ultimate goal is to enhance safety and protect lives and property. However, the lack of financial support for weather app start-ups remains a challenge, as investors in regions unaffected by extreme weather conditions may not prioritize investments in this area.

Original news source: How weather apps are trying to be more accurate (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask them to write a summary of the article in their own words, focusing on the main points and key details. After they have finished writing, have them share their summaries with a partner or in small groups and compare their responses.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a discussion question related to the article. For example, “Do you think weather apps are becoming more accurate? Why or why not?” Give the groups a few minutes to discuss their opinions and come up with reasons to support their answers. Then, have each group present their opinions to the class and facilitate a class discussion based on their responses.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose 10-15 vocabulary words from the article and write them on the board. Divide the class into teams and have them take turns sending one member to the front of the class. Give each student a vocabulary word and ask them to draw a picture that represents the word without using any letters or numbers. The student’s team must try to guess the word based on the drawing within a time limit. If the team guesses correctly, they earn a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the pros of weather apps and the other group representing the cons. Give each group a few minutes to brainstorm reasons to support their assigned position. Then, have the groups take turns presenting their arguments to the class. After each presentation, facilitate a class discussion to compare and contrast the different perspectives.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine what weather apps could look like in the future. Have them brainstorm and write down their ideas individually. Then, divide the class into pairs or small groups and ask them to discuss their ideas and come up with a list of future predictions for weather apps. After they have finished discussing, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class discussion based on their ideas.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How do advancements in technology and artificial intelligence help weather apps provide more accurate forecasts?
2. How does the app Windy assist cyclists like Zoe Ashbridge?
3. What improvements has the UK’s Met Office made to its digital weather maps and data?
4. What specific forecasts has the Met Office introduced to cater to different needs?
5. How has the Met Office partnered with airlines to enhance forecast accuracy?
6. Why is communicating forecasts quickly and accurately important for weather forecasters?
7. What challenges do weather app start-ups face in terms of financial backing?
8. How are weather app providers like Accuweather investing in artificial intelligence to improve their services?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Weather apps are constantly evolving to provide more accurate and personalized forecasts. With (1)______ in technology and artificial intelligence, these apps are able to offer real-time updates and tailored recommendations. For example, the app Windy helps (2)______ like Zoe Ashbridge track the direction of the wind, allowing them to plan their routes more efficiently and save time and energy. Weather (3)______ models have become more accurate due to technological advancements, with the ultimate goal of helping to save lives and protect property.

The UK’s Met Office has made (4)______ improvements to its digital (5)______ maps and data, allowing users to see real-time (6)______ of weather patterns and forecast up to five days in advance. To cater to specific needs, the Met Office has introduced (7)______ beach and mountain forecasts, (8)______ information on wind conditions, wave heights, and weather at different altitudes. The Met Office has also partnered with airlines to gather data from sensors on aircraft, enhancing forecast accuracy and enabling the prediction of extreme weather events and localized thunderstorms.

Weather forecasters are increasingly focused on communicating forecasts quickly and accurately, especially in the face of climate change and more unpredictable weather patterns. However, the lack of financial backing for weather app start-ups is a challenge, as investors in (9)______ Valley, where many tech investors are based, do not typically experience extreme weather (10)______. Nevertheless, weather app providers like (11)______ are investing in artificial intelligence to improve language translation and generate (12)______ phrases related to weather conditions. They are also prioritizing health and safety by providing information on air quality, wildfire predictions, and enhancing warnings and visualizations.

In conclusion, weather apps are leveraging technology and artificial (13)______ to (14)______ more accurate and personalized forecasts. These advancements allow users to plan their (15)______ more efficiently, save time and energy, and make informed decisions based on real-time weather updates. The ultimate goal is to enhance safety and protect (16)______ and property. However, the lack of financial support for weather app start-ups remains a challenge, as investors in regions unaffected by extreme weather conditions may not prioritize investments in this area.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. How often do you check the weather forecast? Why or why not?
2. What is the importance of accurate weather forecasting in your daily life?
3. How would you feel if you were caught in a severe weather event without any warning? Why?
4. Do you think weather apps are reliable sources of information? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever used a weather app to plan your activities? How did it help you?
6. What is a weather app feature that you find particularly useful? Why?
7. How do you think weather apps can further improve their accuracy and personalized forecasts?
8. Do you like the idea of weather apps using artificial intelligence to generate detailed phrases related to weather conditions? Why or why not?
9. How would you feel if weather apps started providing information on air quality and wildfire predictions in your area? Why?
10. Do you think weather app start-ups deserve more financial support? Why or why not?
11. Have you ever experienced extreme weather conditions? How did it impact your life?
12. How do you think climate change affects the accuracy of weather forecasts? Why?
13. What other features or information would you like to see in weather apps? Why?
14. How do you think weather apps can help in protecting lives and property during extreme weather events?
15. Do you think weather apps will eventually replace traditional weather forecasting methods? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. advancements
2. accurate
3. forecasts
4. tailored
5. real-time
6. movement
7. altitudes
8. localized
9. communicating
10. financial backing
11. investors
12. prioritize
13. language translation
14. visualizations
15. unaffected

Meanings:
(A) Customized or adapted to suit a particular individual or purpose
(B) Progress or improvements made in a particular field or area
(C) Heights or elevations above sea level or ground level
(D) Give special attention or importance to something
(E) Individuals or organizations that provide money or resources to support a project or venture
(F) The act of changing position or location
(G) Limited to a particular area or region
(H) Predictions or estimates of future events or conditions
(I) Financial support or funding provided to a project or venture
(J) The process of converting text or speech from one language to another
(K) Occurring or happening immediately or without delay
(L) Sharing or conveying information or ideas effectively
(M) Correct or precise in all details
(N) Representations or images that help to visualize or understand something
(O) Not affected or influenced by something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is one way that weather apps are evolving?
(a) Offering discounts on outdoor activities
(b) Sending daily weather updates via text message
(c) Providing more accurate and personalized forecasts
(d) Allowing users to order food delivery based on the weather forecast

2. How does the app Windy help cyclists like Zoe Ashbridge?
(a) It provides discounts on cycling gear
(b) It tracks the direction of the wind so they can plan their routes efficiently
(c) It offers personalized training plans for cyclists
(d) It connects cyclists with other riders in their area

3. How has the UK’s Met Office improved its digital weather maps and data?
(a) Users can see real-time movement of weather patterns and forecast up to five days in advance
(b) Users can book flights through the app
(c) Users can order groceries based on the weather forecast
(d) Users can track their daily steps and exercise goals

4. What specific forecasts has the Met Office introduced?
(a) Traffic forecasts
(b) Beach and mountain forecasts
(c) Fashion forecasts
(d) Movie release forecasts

5. How has the Met Office partnered with airlines to enhance forecast accuracy?
(a) By gathering data from sensors on aircraft
(b) By offering discounted flights to app users
(c) By providing flight delay notifications
(d) By offering in-flight weather updates

6. Why are weather forecasters increasingly focused on communicating forecasts quickly and accurately?
(a) To promote tourism in their region
(b) To increase app downloads
(c) To compete with other weather apps
(d) Due to climate change and more unpredictable weather patterns

7. What is one challenge facing weather app start-ups?
(a) Lack of users
(b) Lack of accurate weather data
(c) Lack of technological advancements
(d) Lack of financial backing

8. How are weather app providers like Accuweather investing in artificial intelligence?
(a) To develop self-driving cars based on weather conditions
(b) To create virtual reality experiences of different weather conditions
(c) To improve language translation and generate detailed phrases related to weather conditions
(d) To predict the future of climate change

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The app Windy doesn’t help cyclists track the direction of the wind to plan their routes efficiently.
2. The Met Office doesn’t offer dedicated beach and mountain forecasts, providing information on wind conditions, wave heights, and weather at different altitudes.
3. Weather app providers like Accuweather are investing in artificial intelligence to improve language translation and generate detailed phrases related to weather conditions.
4. The UK’s Met Office has improved its digital weather maps and data, allowing users to see real-time movement of weather patterns.
5. Weather apps are not evolving to provide more accurate and personalized forecasts.
6. Weather app start-ups face a lack of financial backing, as investors in Silicon Valley do not typically experience extreme weather conditions.
7. Weather forecasting models have become more accurate due to technological advancements.
8. The Met Office hasn’t partnered with airlines to gather data from sensors on aircraft, enhancing forecast accuracy.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How are weather apps evolving to provide more accurate and personalized forecasts?
2. How does the app Windy help cyclists like Zoe Ashbridge plan their routes more efficiently?
3. What improvements has the UK’s Met Office made to its digital weather maps and data?
4. How has the Met Office partnered with airlines to enhance forecast accuracy?
5. What challenges do weather app start-ups face in terms of financial backing?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Advancements in technology and artificial intelligence help weather apps provide more accurate forecasts by improving weather forecasting models and allowing for real-time updates.
2. The app Windy assists cyclists like Zoe Ashbridge by tracking the direction of the wind, allowing them to plan their routes more efficiently and save time and energy.
3. The UK’s Met Office has made improvements to its digital weather maps and data, allowing users to see real-time movement of weather patterns and forecast up to five days in advance.
4. The Met Office has introduced dedicated beach and mountain forecasts, providing information on wind conditions, wave heights, and weather at different altitudes.
5. The Met Office has partnered with airlines to gather data from sensors on aircraft, enhancing forecast accuracy and enabling the prediction of extreme weather events and localized thunderstorms.
6. Communicating forecasts quickly and accurately is important for weather forecasters in order to provide timely and relevant information to the public, especially in the face of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.
7. Weather app start-ups face challenges in terms of financial backing because investors in regions unaffected by extreme weather conditions may not prioritize investments in this area.
8. Weather app providers like Accuweather are investing in artificial intelligence to improve their services by improving language translation, generating detailed phrases related to weather conditions, providing information on air quality and wildfire predictions, and enhancing warnings and visualizations.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) advancements
(2) cyclists
(3) forecasting
(4) significant
(5) weather
(6) movement
(7) dedicated
(8) providing
(9) Silicon
(10) conditions
(11) Accuweather
(12) detailed
(13) intelligence
(14) provide
(15) activities
(16) lives
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. advancements
Answer: (B) Progress or improvements made in a particular field or area

2. accurate
Answer: (M) Correct or precise in all details

3. forecasts
Answer: (H) Predictions or estimates of future events or conditions

4. tailored
Answer: (A) Customized or adapted to suit a particular individual or purpose

5. real-time
Answer: (K) Occurring or happening immediately or without delay

6. movement
Answer: (F) The act of changing position or location

7. altitudes
Answer: (C) Heights or elevations above sea level or ground level

8. localized
Answer: (G) Limited to a particular area or region

9. communicating
Answer: (L) Sharing or conveying information or ideas effectively

10. financial backing
Answer: (I) Financial support or funding provided to a project or venture

11. investors
Answer: (E) Individuals or organizations that provide money or resources to support a project or venture

12. prioritize
Answer: (D) Give special attention or importance to something

13. language translation
Answer: (J) The process of converting text or speech from one language to another

14. visualizations
Answer: (N) Representations or images that help to visualize or understand something

15. unaffected
Answer: (O) Not affected or influenced by something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is one way that weather apps are evolving?
Answer: (c) Providing more accurate and personalized forecasts

2. How does the app Windy help cyclists like Zoe Ashbridge?
Answer: (b) It tracks the direction of the wind so they can plan their routes efficiently

3. How has the UK’s Met Office improved its digital weather maps and data?
Answer: (a) Users can see real-time movement of weather patterns and forecast up to five days in advance

4. What specific forecasts has the Met Office introduced?
Answer: (b) Beach and mountain forecasts

5. How has the Met Office partnered with airlines to enhance forecast accuracy?
Answer: (a) By gathering data from sensors on aircraft

6. Why are weather forecasters increasingly focused on communicating forecasts quickly and accurately?
Answer: (d) Due to climate change and more unpredictable weather patterns

7. What is one challenge facing weather app start-ups?
Answer: (d) Lack of financial backing

8. How are weather app providers like Accuweather investing in artificial intelligence?
Answer: (c) To improve language translation and generate detailed phrases related to weather conditions
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The app Windy doesn’t help cyclists track the direction of the wind to plan their routes efficiently. (Answer: False)
2. The Met Office doesn’t offer dedicated beach and mountain forecasts, providing information on wind conditions, wave heights, and weather at different altitudes. (Answer: False)
3. Weather app providers like Accuweather are investing in artificial intelligence to improve language translation and generate detailed phrases related to weather conditions. (Answer: True)
4. The UK’s Met Office has improved its digital weather maps and data, allowing users to see real-time movement of weather patterns. (Answer: True)
5. Weather apps are not evolving to provide more accurate and personalized forecasts. (Answer: False)
6. Weather app start-ups face a lack of financial backing, as investors in Silicon Valley do not typically experience extreme weather conditions. (Answer: True)
7. Weather forecasting models have become more accurate due to technological advancements. (Answer: True)
8. The Met Office hasn’t partnered with airlines to gather data from sensors on aircraft, enhancing forecast accuracy. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧