Earth: An animated map of global wind and weather

This animation depicts real-time wind speed and direction at selected heights above Earth's surface, ocean surface currents, and ocean surface temperatures and anomalies.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Animation will require teacher support to extrapolate information, make sense of visualization, and place concepts in larger context of climate change. Teachers might allow students to explore the animation first before discussing as a group. Teacher would want to direct students to lower left link and provide support for acronyms and abbreviations. Teacher should provide support for students when presented with animation (i.e., help in finding "more info," understanding of ocean vs. wind, distance from sea level, etc.) Visualization should be paired with or used after a lesson on weather or ocean and atmospheric circulation. Links can be made by students between different types of data displayed, but may need to be guided as to which data to display and explore in order to discover the connections. Depending on student grade level and instructor's background, a key for the various selectable options for the data displayed may be useful.
Animated real-time data from various sources on air and oceans projected onto a world map is visually engaging. Data sources provided. Comments from expert scientist: This tool is a great piece for demonstration in both a meteorology or an oceanography course. It shows current winds and ocean currents in a visually stunning and engaging way. The tools are easy to use, with several map projections available to display the relevant data. The data sources are identified and reliable. This is not a great standalone piece, however. There is no text to give context regarding the data displayed. The educator will need to provide the educational context for the students.
Very visually engaging. May require some scaffolding and explanation of terms used. Students can observe real-time global air and ocean currents anywhere on the globe. Students can zoom in and out in order to focus on more localized areas or large scale global patterns. Students can also choose from a range of map projections.
Visually appealing animation pulls data from a number of sources to show air and ocean currents at various temperatures, heights, and more. Resource map is updated regularly with real-time data. Does have some explanation of sources and how to read the data. Presents information visually only. Internet access needed in order to use the visualization.