---
title: "Reading Weather Maps"
description: "Read and interpret weather maps, data tables, and graphs — identifying symbols for sun, rain, wind, and temperature; spotting trends and patterns in weather data over weeks, months, or seasons; and us"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reading-weather-maps-mt_3pgTpuetKi
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reading-weather-maps-mt_3pgTpuetKi.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Reading Weather Maps

Read and interpret weather maps, data tables, and graphs — identifying symbols for sun, rain, wind, and temperature; spotting trends and patterns in weather data over weeks, months, or seasons; and using data to make simple predictions

Subject: Science · Area: Weather & Climate · Ages 9 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reading-weather-maps-mt_3pgTpuetKi

## Ready when they can

- Interpret common weather map symbols for temperature, precipitation, and wind
- Read a data table or graph of weather data and identify patterns
- Use weather data to make a simple prediction about upcoming conditions

## Lesson: Reading Weather Maps

Weather maps use small pictures called symbols to show what's happening in different places. A sun means clear skies. A cloud with rain lines means rain. A cloud with snowflakes means snow. Arrows show which way the wind is blowing, and numbers next to a spot show the temperature there.

**Example.** Mia checks a weather map for her city. She sees a cloud with rain lines and the number 58 next to it. She reads it as: rain is expected, and the temperature will be around 58 degrees.

*(drawing: May's bar is tallest, so it's the wettest month. March's bar is shortest, so it's the driest.)*

**Tip.** When you look at a graph or table of weather data, find the highest point and the lowest point first. Those are usually the easiest patterns to spot, like the wettest month or the coldest week.

**Example.** For five days in a row, a weather map shows rain-cloud symbols and temperatures dropping a little each day. That pattern is a clue that cooler, rainy weather is likely tomorrow too.

**Recap.** Weather maps use symbols for sun, rain, wind, and temperature. Graphs and tables show patterns like the wettest month. Spotting those patterns helps you predict what's coming.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Weather vs Climate](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/weather-vs-climate-mt_AB-TEMXSGJ)
- [Weather Forecasting](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/weather-forecasting-mt_AghN5YcCHX)
- [Graphing seasonal weather data](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/graphing-seasonal-weather-data-mt_NYsz6QgaaE)

## Opens up

- [Hurricanes, Tornadoes & Monsoons](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/hurricanes-tornadoes-and-monsoons-mt__wWHVvqMWb)