Weather

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 * || == Weather Wise ==

** The Elements of Weather **
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** - explain the difference between weather and climate and the factors that influence both of these systems - identify patterns in air movement - identify the effects of air pressure ||

What is Weather?
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>> 1. Define weather. >> 2. What four factors affect weather
 * The WEATHER is the condition of the atmosphere (or changes in the atmosphere) at a particular time and place. The weather is shaped by 4 main factors: **
 * ** the air **
 * ** the sun **
 * ** water **
 * ** the earth's movement **

Weather vs Climate
__ [] __ **Climate** is the sum or synthesis of all the weather recorded over a long period of time. It tells us the average or most common conditions, or extremes, or counts of events, or frequencies. **Weather** is a description of conditions over a short period of time - a "snap shot" of the atmosphere at a particular time. 3. What is the difference between climate and weather?

Air Pressure
__ [] __

|| . cold enough, into tiny ice crystals. If there's enough water or ice, rain or snow begin to fall. This is why low pressure is associated with bad weather. ||
 * || ==== **High Pressure** ==== || ====** Low Pressure **==== ||
 * Air movement (up or down) || . associated with good weather. || . low pressure is associated with bad weather.  ||
 * Temperature of air || . air descending in high pressure flows out in a clockwise spiral in the Northern Hemisphere. Air flowing into an area of low pressure rises, making a counterclockwise spiral on the way in.
 * Wind movement at ground || Flows clockwise. || Winds flow counter-clockwise. ||
 * Expected weather || Good wheather || Bad wheather ||


 * || == Weather Wise ==

** Measuring the Weather **
|| **Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design and Communication** - design, construct, and test a variety of weather instruments - use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, in describing their investigations and observations ||

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 * The following web site describes some of the instruments meteorologists use to collect data about the weather. **

Use the information to complete the chart. The source of this information is American so you may have to determine the equivalent metric unit to record in the chart.


 * ** Instrument Name ** || ** What It Measures ** || ** Unit of Measurement ** ||
 * .** Barometer ** || ** measures atmospheric pressure ** || ** Millibars ** ||
 * ** Thermometer ** || ** measures the temperature ** || ** degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit ** ||
 * .** Rain gauge ** || ** measures the amount of rainfall ** || ** mm ** ||
 * ** Campbell Stokes Recorder ** || ** measures sunshine ** || **sunshine ** ||
 * .** Anemometer ** || ** measures wind speed ** || ** mph ** ||
 * .** Wind Sock ** || ** measures wind direction ** || ** North, East, South or West ** ||
 * ** Hygrometer ** || ** measures the temperature ** || ** degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius ** ||
 * || == Weather Wise ==

** Clouds **
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** - explain the formation of clouds and the effects of different cloud formations on weather and climate ||

[|**http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/weather/clouds.html**] 
 * Use this web site to answer the following questions. **

There are three families of clouds: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. These are the latin names given to clouds in 1804. Cirrus means 'curl of hair', cumulus means 'heap', and stratus means 'layer'. ** 1. What are clouds? 2. Explain how clouds form. 3. What are the 3 "families" of clouds and what do their Latin names mean? 4. Follow the links to learn about each type of cloud and then complete the table on the next page. To help you identify clouds, download, print and construct the following "Cloud Key". [] After completing the chart, you could try a Cloud Quiz at; [] 
 * Clouds form when air cools below its saturation point and causes water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets.
 * || ==Weather Wise==

**Forecasting**
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** -recognize large-scale and local weather systems - predict local weather patterns using data from their own observations of weather and from weather reports - identify patterns in air movement ||

The following questions and organizers will help you keep track of the crucial information you’ll need.
 * Read the details at [] and follow the links.**

Cloud Forecasting

 * **Cloud Type** || **Description** || **Possible Weather** ||
 * cirrus || High wispy clouds. Often seen in clear skys and mean good weather, but can mean a chacge in weather. || Possible good weather. ||
 * altocumulus || Thick blue-gray blanket-like clouds made of ice and water at middle heights. Rain or snow likely, or at least cloudy skys. || Bad weather. ||
 * nimbostratus || Its sky gray and 500,000 feet above the ground. Often means rainstorm. || Bad weather. ||
 * cumulus || Fluffy lower clouds that often grow during sunny days. Usually mean fair weather unless they grow tall late in the day. || Good weather. ||
 * cumulonimbus || Giant thunderhead clouds that tower to high heights. Thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, winds, and lightning are on the way. || Bad weather. ||

Wind Forecasting
What can make the above predictions inaccurate?
 * **Wind Direction** || **Possible Weather** ||
 * North ||  ||
 * South ||  ||
 * East ||  ||
 * West ||  ||

Senses Forecasting
What might you hear that can help you forecast the weather?
 * || == Weather Wise ==

**Warm and Cold Fronts **
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** - explain the difference between warm and cold fronts and the factors that influence both of these systems - identify types of weather associated with each front || []

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Write the capital letter A or B at the end each sentence. A = Cold Front B = Warm Front 1. Cool air mass - warm air mass moves in.b 2. Warm air mass - cool air mass moves in.a 3. Brings gentle rains that may last for hours or days.b 4. Strong winds are formed followed by heavy rain, crashing thunder, and flashing lightning.a 5. When the front passes, the temperature warms up and it becomes humid.b 6. When the front passes, the weather turns cooler.a 7. Farmer Brown prefers this type of front.b 8. Usually happens and is over with quickly.a