Does the weather fascinate you? Thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes, and snowstorms are just some of the weather events that affect people's everyday lives. Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, people have been fascinated with weather phenomena and how they relate to human activities, such as sailing and farming.
Meteorology is the science of the atmosphere, particularly the processes and phenomena that are used in forecasting the weather, and how weather relates to the oceans and climate. Long-term climate patterns, such as El Niño, don't just affect weather. They disrupt global atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and the economies of many countries. Every day, thousands of meteorologists observe and record measurements at more than 10,000 weather stations on land and sea throughout the world. Data also comes from satellites, weather balloons, and radar. This data is transmitted to weather centers of the world, where computer models produce the information used in weather prediction.
Meteorology: Cool Women Who Weather Storms introduces readers ages 9 to 12 to three women in meteorology who are making an impact and inspiring future generations of meteorologists. Kelly Cass is a broadcast meteorologist at the Weather Channel with a particular interest in severe weather. Bianca Hernandez works as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in their Phoenix office. Pam Heinselman is a professor and Research Scientist with the National Severe Storms Lab.
This nonfiction STEM title serves as a bridge between girls' interests and their potential careers in meteorology by telling captivating stories about real-life meteorologists and the many ways meteorology benefits society. Meteorology isn't just about storm tracking, it's about how the atmosphere affects the earth in the past, present, and future. Advances in meteorology are strongly connected with developments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Readers will be encouraged to investigate how atmospheric forces affect our lives and how using scientific and mathematical principles allow meteorologists to predict the weather and save lives.

Karen Bush Gibson is the author of more than 30 nonfiction books for children and a member of the Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators. One of her books about women aviators was named a 2014 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the NCSS and a selection in Air & Space/Smithsonian's Best Children's Books of 2013 roundup of aviation and space-themed books. Karen lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

. Introduction: The Power of Weather

. Chapter One: Meteorology: Past, Present, and Future

. Chapter Two: Kelly Cass

. Chapter Three: Bianca Hernandez

. Chapter Four: Pamela Heinselman

. Timeline

. Essential Questions

. Glossary

. Resources

. Index