12 Books about Extreme Weather Hazards for Elementary Students
From tornadoes to blizzards to hurricanes, natural disasters happen all over the world each year. These books will help students discover these phenomena of extreme weather hazards, why they happen, and what we can do to be prepared for the unexpected.
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With engaging text and exciting photos, students will love learning with these books. Students will find surprising facts, fun activities, and interesting information inside these books.
Dive in for some natural disaster fun and learning.
Weather Hazards Science Books to Enhance Your Science Unit
100 Most Destructive Natural Disasters Ever – Anna Claybourne
Grade: 3-7
Your students will discover the 100 most destructive natural disasters ever. This book is sure to get them interested and intrigued by extreme weather on our planet.
These are real-life events from around the globe that have affected hundreds of thousands of people. Students will learn why the natural disaster occurred and how people responded to it.
This extreme weather book from National Geographic is based on first-hand accounts, and cutting-edge science. It will help students understand what is going on with all the extreme weather and what to do about it.
Disaster Strikes #2: Tornado Alley – Marlane Kennedy
Grade: 2-5
This fun story follows Wyatt Anderson as he works to protect his animals from tornadoes that are headed for their farm.
Children love these adventurous tales of weather and disasters and this narrative story adds a personal touch to other nonfiction books in your science unit.
This book is packed with full-color photos, fascinating facts, and trivia, perfect for kids who are looking to know the coolest facts about extreme weather events.
I find that some of my boys love to read this type of book and tell each other about some of the amazing facts that they learn.
Tornadoes! – Gail Gibbons
Grade: 1-3
This book has cute illustrations and shows readers how tornadoes form, how they are classified, and what to do in order to stay safe if there is one in your area.
It is an in-depth book that could turn into a weeklong close read and report writing unit.
Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm – Carla Stevens
Grade: 2-5
This delightful chapter book follows Anna and her grandpa as they make the journey through the big snowstorm to get to school in time for the spelling bee.
This is another narrative story about how people respond to the challenges of extreme weather.
Natural Disasters: Investigate Earth’s Most Destructive Forces with 25 Projects – Kathleen M Reilly
Grade: 2-5
Teaches readers about some of Earth’s natural disasters, how they impacted civilization, and how people today cope with these events.
This book also includes 25 fun hands-on projects to do to learn even more about natural disasters.
Whiteout!: A Book About Blizzards – Rick Thomas
Grade: K-3
This book uses bright illustrations to teach children about blizzards, including whiteouts, strong winds, snowdrifts, and wind chill. It is a perfect read aloud for young science lovers.
Hurricanes – Seymour Simon
Grade: K-4
This picture book uses full-color photography and satellite images to teach students about hurricanes, how they form, and precautions we should take during hurricanes.
This is another book that could be used for a deeper in-depth study of a specific natural disaster.
Flood Warning – Katharine Kenah
Grade: K-3
This book explores concepts about floods that challenge young readers, including how they start, different kinds of floods, and how to stay safe.
It includes colorful illustrations and a fun rain gauge activity.
Tornadoes – Seymour Simon
Grade: 3+
This book has a ton of full-color images that give in-depth descriptions of tornadoes. Students can learn about tornadoes, how they are formed, and the destruction they create.
Al Roker’s Extreme Weather: Tornadoes, Typhoons, and Other Weather Phenomena – Al Roker
Grade: 3-7
Meteorologist Al Roker shares with us a wide range of surprising extreme weather facts, including unique topics such as fogsicles and thundersnow with colorful spreads and captivating pictures.
All 12 Weather Hazards Books in One Place
- 100 Most Destructive Natural Disasters Ever – Anna Claybourne
Grade: 3-7 - Extreme Weather: Surviving Tornadoes, Sandstorms, Hailstorms, Blizzards, Hurricanes, and More! – Thomas M. Kostigen
Grade: 3-7 - Disaster Strikes #2: Tornado Alley – Marlane Kennedy
Grade: 2-5 - Extreme Weather: Surviving Tornadoes, Sandstorms, Hailstorms, Blizzards, Hurricanes, and More! – Thomas M. Kostigen
Grade: 3-7 - Disaster Strikes #2: Tornado Alley – Marlane Kennedy
Grade: 2-5 - Extreme Weather: Weird Trivia & Unbelievable Facts to Test Your Knowledge About Storms, Climate – Jeff Probst
Grade: K-3 - Tornadoes! – Gail Gibbons
Grade: 1-3 - Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm – Carla Stevens
Grade: 2-5 - Natural Disasters: Investigate Earth’s Most Destructive Forces with 25 Projects – Kathleen M Reilly
Grade: 2-5 - Whiteout!: A Book About Blizzards – Rick Thomas
Grade: K-3 - Hurricanes – Seymour Simon
Grade: K-4 - Flood Warning – Katharine Kenah
Grade: K-3 - Tornadoes – Seymour Simon
Grade: 3+ - Al Roker’s Extreme Weather: Tornadoes, Typhoons, and Other Weather Phenomena – Al Roker
Grade: 3-7
Our Earth holds many mysteries, one of the biggest being our weather, and how and why these extreme weather events occur. Grab a few of these books to get your little scientists excited about these natural disasters.
More Information for Teaching Weather Hazards to Elementary Students
In addition to these books about weather hazards, the Third Grade Science Stations and 5E Lesson Plans on Extreme Weather have taken the guesswork out of how to plan what to teach for science.
The focus of the Extreme Weather 5E Unit is on NGSS 3-ESS.3-1. It includes concepts about weather hazards and the steps humans can take to lessen their impact on life and property. Also included is an engineering design challenge.
The Thrid Grade Weather and Climate Science Stations focus on weather, climate, and natural hazards.
You can see more in-depth information about the Third Grade Science Stations in this blog post. More information about the 5E Science Stations.
Jessica BOschen
Jessica is a teacher, homeschool parent, and entrepreneur. She shares her passion for teaching and education on What I Have Learned. Jessica has 16 years of experience teaching elementary school and currently homeschools her two middle and high school boys. She enjoys scaffolding learning for students, focusing on helping our most challenging learners achieve success in all academic areas.