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Why Climate Differs Across the US is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on why climate differs across US regions, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Geo.10.3-5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Why Climate Differs Across the US

D2.Geo.10.3-5

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.Why do the Great Plains get so many tornadoes?
  • A.The Plains are covered by thick forest
  • B.Warm, moist air from the Gulf meets cool, dry air from the north and west
  • C.Tornadoes form only near the ocean
2.Why is the Pacific Northwest so rainy?
  • A.Moist air from the Pacific rises over the mountains and drops rain
  • B.It is the closest region to the equator
  • C.It has no mountains to stop the clouds
3.Why does the Gulf Coast get hurricanes?
  • A.Hurricanes form only over deserts
  • B.Cold mountain air causes them
  • C.These storms form over warm ocean water
4.Why do cities on the eastern shores of the Great Lakes get heavy snow?
  • A.The lakes freeze solid every summer
  • B.Cold air picks up moisture crossing the lakes and drops it as snow
  • C.The lakes are saltier than the ocean
5.Why does Hawaii stay warm all year?
  • A.It is covered in ice
  • B.It is near the North Pole
  • C.It is in the tropics and surrounded by warm ocean
6.Why is the Great Basin so dry?
  • A.It sits right beside the Atlantic Ocean
  • B.It rains there every day
  • C.The Sierra Nevada blocks moist air from the Pacific
7.Why are winters milder in Florida than in Minnesota?
  • A.Florida has taller mountains
  • B.Florida is much farther north
  • C.Florida is much closer to the equator
8.Why are summers in the Southeast so humid?
  • A.Dry desert air blows in from Canada
  • B.There are no rivers or oceans nearby
  • C.Warm, moist air flows in from the Gulf of Mexico

LessonPrint · D2.Geo.10.3-5 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Why Climate Differs Across the US

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Warm, moist air from the Gulf meets cool, dry air from the north and west
  2. 2.Moist air from the Pacific rises over the mountains and drops rain
  3. 3.These storms form over warm ocean water
  4. 4.Cold air picks up moisture crossing the lakes and drops it as snow
  5. 5.It is in the tropics and surrounded by warm ocean
  6. 6.The Sierra Nevada blocks moist air from the Pacific
  7. 7.Florida is much closer to the equator
  8. 8.Warm, moist air flows in from the Gulf of Mexico

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Geo.10.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.