Weather Conditions - greenridge.k12.mo.us€¦ · a given time. Temperature, precipitation, humidity, and cloud formation are aspects of weather, and they can be measured and predicted

4/16/2020 Lesson - Weather - Study Island

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Weather

Weather describes the conditions in Earth's atmosphere at a given place ata given time. Temperature, precipitation, humidity, and cloud formation areaspects of weather, and they can be measured and predicted usingappropriate tools and models.

The Sun is the primary source of energy that drives the weather on Earth. The weather thatan area experiences depends on many things, including atmospheric conditions, movementsof air masses in the atmosphere, and the geography of an area. Geography is a place'slocation on Earth and the place's features, such as landforms and bodies of water.

Meteorologists use weather maps and other models to plot and predict the movement of highand low pressure systems that lead to changes in weather. They also use many different toolsto take direct measurements of weather conditions and how they are changing over time.

Weather ConditionsWeather is the combined effect of a variety of measurable conditions in the atmosphere. Thefollowing is a list of some important weather conditions and the tools used to measure them.

Barometric pressure, or air pressure, is the weight of the air above a certain point. High-pressure air is denser than low-pressure air. Air pressure is measured using a barometer.

Relative humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapor present in the air. Humidityis measured as a percentage using either a hygrometer or a sling psychrometer.

Wind is the air moving over the surface of the Earth. Wind speed is measured using ananemometer. Wind direction can be measured using a wind vane.

Precipitation is any form of water coming from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. Theamount of precipitation can be measured using a rain gauge or a snow gauge.

Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of the air. Air temperature is measuredusing a thermometer.

Weather



Predicting WeatherWhile meteorologists can use computer models and other methods to forecast future weatherconditions, these are just predictions about what will happen. Weather conditions are alwayschanging because weather is a complex interaction among many different variables that areconstantly changing. This causes weather to change daily, and it can make predictingweather very difficult. There is always some level of uncertainty in all of the predictions thatmeteorologists make about the weather.

For example, suppose that the air in a location becomes very humid and also begins to cooldown at the same time. Based on these conditions, it would be reasonable to predict that itmight rain. This does not mean that it will rain, but it is very likely based on the currentconditions.

As the Sun heats water on the surface of the Earth, thewater evaporates and then forms clouds. These cloudsmay result in precipitation.

Weather Maps & Models

Weather maps are models of the weather. They are tools that help usidentify and predict weather in a specific geographic area.

Weather PatternsWeather patterns in the United States generally move from west to east across the country. Amap of today's weather can help predict the weather in the next few days because manypatterns will move eastward into new areas.



High pressure systemA high pressure system is alocal area of air that is athigher pressure than the airmasses around it. Highpressure systems tend to bemade up of cooler air. Air tendsto diverge, or spread out fromhigh pressure systems.

Low pressure systemA low pressure system is alocal area of air that is at alower pressure than airmasses around it. Lowpressure systems tend to bemade up of warmer air. Lowpressure systems are often atthe center of severe weather.

Warm frontA warm front is a "boundary"that is created when a warmair mass moves in to meet anarea of cold air.

Image courtesy of NOAA

Map Lines & SymbolsThe lines and symbols on a weather map, like the one shown above, give importantinformation about the air masses present in different areas. These air masses help influencethe weather in predictable ways. Learning the meaning of the lines and symbols can help youunderstand and predict how the weather will change in your area.

Important weather map symbols are shown below:



Cold frontA cold front is a "boundary"that is created when a cold airmass moves in to meet anarea of warm air.

Stationary frontA stationary front occurs whena warm air mass has met acold air mass and both airmasses are at a standstill.

TroughA trough is an elongated areaof low pressure.

Occluded frontAn occluded front occurs where a faster-moving cold air front isovertaking a warm front. The air from the cold air mass is cominginto contact with cooler air that was ahead of the warm front.Since the air in the cold front can be either cooler or warmer thanthe cool air in front of the warm air mass, many different kinds ofweather can occur. Changes in wind direction or temperaturemay take place, and either steady rain or storms may form.

Temperatures & IconsWeather maps may also show temperatures and icons. Temperatures are shown as numbersand are usually given in degrees Fahrenheit in the United States. Icons are small pictures,such as pictures of the Sun or clouds. An example of these are shown on the map below.



Image modified from NOAA.

Satellite MapsAdvancements in technology have been very important in helping to measure and predict theweather. For example, satellites that orbit in space have digital cameras and radar equipment.Radar works to provide images of clouds and moisture in the atmosphere by sending out abeam of energy and recording the amount of energy that is reflected back and the amount oftime the reflection takes. The images from weather satellites are very valuable for mappingthe weather over large areas of the globe.

Maps created from satellite images are used to show the locations of clouds, the temperatureof clouds, and the amount of precipitation that has fallen recently.

Image modified from NOAA



The different colors used inside the shapes may stand for the temperature of the clouds orthey may stand for different amounts or types of precipitation. Often, a map key will beprovided that tells what each color on the map stands for. Generally, the darker the color ofmasses on the map, the heavier the cloud cover or precipitation.

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4/16/2020 Printable Worksheet - Weather - Study Island

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WeatherQuestion 1 .

The weather map below shows a zone of possible flash flooding in front of a cold front.


If the cold front continues to move toward the southeast,

A. the zone of possible flash flooding will enlarge to cover the entire United States.

B. no flash flooding will occur.

C. the zone of possible flash flooding will also move toward the southeast.

D. the zone of possible flash flooding will move toward the northeast.

Question 2 .

Directions: Select each correct answer. More than one answer may be correct.

Computer simulations are used to predict the weather. A computer simulation is a kind of model. Largeamounts of data are entered into the computer. Then the computer performs complicated calculationswith the data. The result is a prediction about what the weather might be like in the coming hours ordays.

Why are computers widely used for modeling weather systems?

because weather systems are too large to be observed in nature

because weather systems are too large to study in controlledexperiments

because weather systems are too complicated to be accuratelypredicted using small-scale models

because weather systems are too complicated to be studied withinstruments and satellites

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Question 3 .

A severe thunderstorm, known as a supercell, forms. It begins in an area where cold, dry, polar airmeets warm, moist, tropical air, and the atmosphere is unstable. The wind coming into this stormbegins to swirl, creating a swirling area of very low pressure. Which of the following is likely to occur inthese conditions?

A. lightning

B. tornado

C. hurricane

D. cold front

Question 4 .

Fey measures wind speed every fifteen minutes for one hour in her back yard. Her data is recordedbelow.

Time Wind Speed (MPH)8:00 AM 1.58:15 AM 1.88:30 AM 3.08:45 AM 12.29:00 AM 16.6

As Fey takes her last two measurements she notices that the temperature drops suddenly. Which ofthe following weather predictions would be best for Fey to make?

A. A tsunami is approaching.

B. A cold front is moving in.

C. A hail storm is approaching.

D. The air's humidity is decreasing.

Question 5 .

Weather is best defined as

A. a prediction of atmospheric conditions in the coming season.

B. the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place.

C. a pattern of regional temperature, precipitation, and humidity.

D. the study of the entire atmosphere and how it changes over time.




Question 6 .

Why does weather vary from day to day?

A. because the rotation of the Earth causes the atmosphere to expand and contract as it

nears the Sun or Moon

B. because the Sun's energy heats all parts of the Earth evenly but does not heat the

atmosphere

C. because cold fronts are always followed by a series of colder fronts, before a warm

front returns

D. because weather is a complex interaction among many different variables that are

constantly changing

Question 7 .

A cold air mass and a warm air mass are predicted to meet. What type of weather can be expectedbetween the two air masses?

A. cold weather

B. stormy weather

C. warm weather

D. dry weather

Question 8 .

Directions: Select the correct answer from each drop-down menu.

At the Earth's surface, warm air expands and rises, leaving behind what is known as an area of ; cold air is dense and sinks to the surface to create what is known as an area of




Question 9 .

Directions: Select the correct location on the map.

Jeremy watches today's weather forecast on television. The weather map he sees is shown below.

From the map, Jeremy sees that today his location will be experiencing mild weather conditions.

Which of the regions indicated with a black circle and cross could indicate Jeremy's location?

Question 10 .

Which of the following factors drives all the weather on Earth, including large-scale storms and localweather systems?

A. The Sun heats up the air at different rates, and the atmosphere undergoes changes to

equalize temperatures and pressures.

B. The Coriolis effect curves the motion of wind due to the Earth's rotation.

C. The ocean holds thermal energy more efficiently than land.

D. The greenhouse effect ensures that some thermal energy will always be trapped near

the Earth's surface.




Question 11 .

The image below was generated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tomonitor weather systems that could evolve into tropical cyclones. Satellite images and weather datahave been entered into a computer model, which has identified three systems that might becometropical cyclones. Each system is associated with a different likelihood of turning into a tropical cyclone.


The figure above suggests that there is _______ in the computer models used to make weatherpredictions.

A. no error

B. perfect accuracy

C. some uncertainty

D. zero accuracy

Question 12 .

An air mass's relative humidity is a measure of how much water vapor it contains compared to howmuch it can contain. Different types of air masses, with different temperatures and pressures, are ableto hold different amounts of water vapor.

Which of the following could cause the relative humidity of an air mass to change?

A. a change in its temperature

B. a change in its water vapor content

C. a change in its pressure

D. all of these

Question 13 .

What type of system is associated with weather that is cold but sunny with almost no clouds in the sky?

A. tropical system

B. low pressure system

C. high pressure system

D. circulatory system




Question 14 .

Directions: Select the correct location on the satellite image.

The weather satellite image below shows a region near the Great Lakes.

If the weather systems shown in this image are moving quickly from west to east, which of the followinglocations will likely experience severe weather first? Choose the correct red circle.

Question 15 .

A large section of the lower troposphere with uniform temperature and humidity is called _______.

A. a hemisphere

B. an air mass

C. a hurricane

D. a pressure gradient

Question 16 .

Trevor watched as the barometer on his front porch showed a change in air pressure.

What happened as Trevor was watching the air pressure change?

A. A high pressure system turned into a low pressure system.

B. A low pressure system turned into a high pressure system.

C. A low pressure system moved into the area.

D. A high pressure system moved into the area.




Question 17 .

What causes wind?

A. gravity pull caused by the moon moving farther away from the earth

B. differences in land elevation on a continent

C. the angle at which the rays from the sun hit the atmosphere

D. air flowing from a high pressure area to a low pressure area

Question 18 .

Brandy has built a computer model of a weather system. She has included information about bodies ofwater, the Sun, and the atmosphere. Brandy decides to decrease the amount of atmospheric watervapor in her model. How will this likely affect the precipitation in her model?

A. It will rain constantly.

B. There will be more precipitation.

C. There will be less precipitation.

D. The precipitation will not change.

Question 19 .

Wendy measures the temperature outside of her school every ten minutes. She records her data in thetable below.

Time Temperature(degrees F)

1:00 PM 881:10 PM 891:20 PM 891:30 PM 781:40 PM 76

Wendy notices that as she takes her last two measurements the wind begins to pick up. Which of thefollowing is a reasonable weather forecast that Wendy could make?

A. The temperature will increase rapidly in the next few minutes.

B. Snow is likely in the next week.

C. Temperatures will likely reach freezing within the hour.

D. Rain is likely in the next few minutes.

Question 20 .

Meteorologists often try to predict what the high temperature of a day will be several days beforehand.Why do meteorologists not try to predict the high temperature of a day six months in the future?

A. Weather does not follow any predictable patterns.

B. Meteorologists have this information but choose not to share it with the public.

C. It is impossible to know what season it will be six months in the future.

D. Weather is a highly complicated system that is very difficult to predict.


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Weather Conditions - greenridge.k12.mo.us€¦ · a given time. Temperature, precipitation, humidity, and cloud formation are aspects of weather, and they can be measured and predicted