Land Surface Temperature - Arctic Blast

Temperature changes can reveal a lot about a location’s climate and landscape—especially in winter. On January 21, 2025, an Arctic Blast brought record-breaking cold to the Southern Gulf States, covering New Orleans, LA, in an astonishing 8 inches of snow! In this activity, students will explore this rare event and compare it to the hottest day of 2024, looking for patterns and clues about temperature extremes.

What’s happening in this map? What do you notice that makes you think that?

In this short activity, students will strengthen their critical thinking skills by carefully observing the data, forming ideas, and backing them up with evidence.

While these maps connect to lessons on weather, climate, climate zones, and topography, the main focus is on slowing down, looking closely, asking great questions, and building stronger evidence-based ideas. If you’re teaching any of these topics, this activity could be a valuable addition to your unit!

• Week 5 - Published January 27, 2025
• Best suited for 6-12+ grades
• NGSS - ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

• Teacher Guide
• Student Worksheet
• Presentation Slides

Land Surface Temperature - Real-time

Unusual weather can happen anytime, despite, and sometimes because of, climate change.