TAMMY LJUNGBLAD/KANSAS CITY STAR/TNS/ALAMY LIVE NEWS
In a windstorm, the wind blows hard enough to damage things. It can knock over trees or break windows! The wind could blow in short bursts. It could also blow for a long time without stopping.
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Whoosh!
You are going to read a story about a windstorm. Here are five things to know first.
From the March / April 2026 Issue
Learning Objective: Students will learn background knowledge about windy weather before they read this issue’s Fiction, “The Windstorm.”
Lexile® measure: 650L
Featured Skill: Key Details
Standards
1. A windstorm is a storm with strong, fast winds.
2. Many windstorms come with rain.
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Thunderstorms and hurricanes bring heavy rain. They also bring gales, or strong winds. It’s best to stay inside during these storms.
3. A derecho is a type of windstorm.
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In a derecho, wind blows very fast in a straight line. It blows really far. It can blow across a whole state!
4. Derechos happen a few times a year in the U.S.
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Windstorms are frequent in the U.S. That means they happen often. But derechos are not very frequent. There might be just one or two in a year. They mostly happen between the months of April and August.
5. Windstorms can be hard to predict.
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It’s hard to know when a windstorm is coming. Derechos are especially hard to predict. Weather reporters may not be able to warn people before they happen.
Activities
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Skills Activities
Answer Key
(1)
Text-to-Speech