1. H OW DO C LOUDS FORM ? A cloud is collection of tiny water droplets or ice crystals Clouds form after water vapor (from evaporation) cools around a solid particles in the air. The air must be saturated in order for clouds to form. The water vapor changes from a gas to a liquid or solid (depending on the temperature). The temperature at which clouds will form is called the Dew Point. The Dew Point is based on humidity and temperature.

Clouds form when the water vapor reaches the dew point. Remember that as you go up in the troposphere, the temperature decreases. Dew point

This is the reason clouds look to be about the same height in the sky and flat on the bottom. They are! Dew point temperature is reached.

2. L IST AND DESCRIBE THE THREE MAIN TYPES OF CLOUDS 1. Cumulus-puffy, white clouds. Generally, they indicated fair weather. Considered a “middle cloud” 2. Stratus-form in layers and cover large areas of the sky. Usually brings rain for several days. Considered a “low cloud” 3. Cirrus-thin, feathery clouds. Found at high altitudes. Can actually have ice crystals in of them! Means change of weather

Cirrus – highest type of cloud. Due to elevation, made of ice crystals. They indicate that a change in the weather is coming.

Cumulus – round, puffy clouds Indicate fair weather

Nimbostratus clouds often produce rain for many hours. Like stratus clouds, they cover the sky. The only difference is that these are producing rain or snow.

3. L IST AND DESCRIBE THE FOUR TYPES OF AIR MASSES Air masses are named after where they are FORMED 1. Maritime polar-moist/cold 2. Maritime tropical-moist/warm 3. Continental polar-dry/cold 4. Continental tropical-dry/warm

If the air mass sits over the ocean for a while, it becomes humid (wet) and is called maritime. The air will have high humidity. If the air mass sits over land for a while, it becomes dry and is called continental. The air will have low humidity.

If the air mass sits near the equator for a while, it becomes warm and is called tropical. If the air mass sits near the poles for a while, it becomes cold and is called polar.

4. L IST AND D ESCRIBE THE FOUR TYPES OF FRONTS

A. C OLD F RONT 1. The air mass doing the pushing is cooler and more dense that the air mass it is pushing 2. Move quickly and can produce severe weather 3. After it moves through, clear skies, cooler temperatures

C OLD F RONT D EMONSTRATION

. Notice that the colder (blue) air is pushing the other air out of the way. It is “winning the pushing battle.” Notice the symbol for a cold front!

Notice the kinds of clouds at a cold front.

B. W ARM F RONT The air mass doing the pushing is warmer and less dense than the air mass it is pushing Bring humid weather, sometimes rainy for several days After it moves through, temperatures are warmer

A warmer air mass is pushing into a cooler air mass. Because warm air is less dense, it gets pushed over the cooler air mass.

Notice the kinds of clouds at a warm front.

C. S TATIONARY F RONT Two air masses next to each other. Neither mass is moving the other Weather remains the same for several days

D. O CCLUDED F RONT Warm air mass is caught between two cold air masses The only one where three air masses meet!

5. T HUNDERSTORMS FORM IN WHAT TYPE OF CLOUDS ? Cumulonimbus

6. W HERE DOES AN AIR MASS GET ITS ’ TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY FROM ? The area where it formed

7. W HAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TORNADO AND A HURRICANE ? Tornadoes form over Land Hurricanes form over warm water

8. W HAT ARE ISOBARS ? Lines that connect points of equal air pressure

Wind map – these lines are isobars Iso = equal bar = barometric pressure

9. W EATHER FORECASTING HAS IMPROVED IN RECENT YEARS DUE TO ? Advances in Computer technology.

10. W HAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN A TORNADO WARNING AND TORNADO WATCH ? W HERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO SEEK PROTECTION ?  Watch – watch out because conditions are right for severe weather  Warning – the event is happening close by you –tornado has been spotted. Best place to go is a basement or a windowless room. Ex. Hallway, closet, bathroom

11. W HAT DIRECTION DOES WEATHER MOVE ACROSS THE U NITED S TATES ? W HY ? The Jet Stream pushes our weather from the west to the East. This is because the US sits in the westerlies.

Combination map used for TV and internet

12. E XPLAIN HOW CONDENSATION OCCURS. Condensation is the process by which water vapor (gas) becomes a liquid. In order for condensation to occur, the air must be saturated (100% humidity). The saturated air needs to cool on a solid particle. The temperature at which is this occurs is called the dew point

13. W HAT TWO TYPES OF AIR MASSES FORM TORNADOES IN THE MID - WEST DURING THE SPRING ? W HERE DO THEY COME FROM ? Tornadoes develop when humid, warm air (maritime, tropical) from the Gulf of Mexico runs into cold, dry air (continental, polar) from Canada.

Most tornadoes occur in an area called Tornado Alley!

14. W HAT TYPE OF INFORMATION CAN YOU FIND ON A WEATHER MAP ? Temperature, high or low pressure, precipitation, Fronts, clouds cover, wind speed, wind direction,

Doppler radar sends out microwaves that bounce back to a receiver according to how much precipitation gets in the way.

Another combination map – Can you read it?

15. W HAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEATHER AND C LIMATE ? Climate – long term weather patterns for an area of the Earth. Weather- short term weather Think. What’s the weather like today? Is it that way always?!??! NO!

16. W HAT DETERMINES THE CLIMATE OF A REGION ? The temperature of an area The precipitation of an area

/ Remember that the equator is 0° latitude and the poles are 90 °. The closer a location is to the equator, the more direct sunlight the area will receive. More direct sunlight = more heat!

Causes the angle of the sunlight hitting the earth to effect the amount of heat energy an area receives.

This picture of Mount Rainier (Washington) was taken in August. Look at the mountain! Because it is so high, it has a different climate that the area where the flowers are blooming. The top is snow covered all year. Sometimes referred to as ELEVATION

For example: England is at a latitude equal to Alaska but their climate is warmer than Alaska’s because of the warm ocean current flowing toward them. Copyright © Bruce Molnia, Terra Photographics Warm ocean water moving from the equator holds its heat a long time. Cold ocean water moving from the poles holds it cold temperature a long time too. This affects the climate of the areas near the ocean currents.

Look closely at this map! Notice the coastal areas of the USA. Water temperature does affect climate!

Copyright © Marli Miller, University of OregonUniversity of Oregon Dry climate zones are often caused by prevailing winds that are very low in moisture.

Wet climate zones are often caused by prevailing winds that are very high in moisture.

Prevailing winds that hit high mountain ranges lose their moisture on the side where they hit first. This is called a rain shadow.

One of the driest deserts on Earth is found right next to the Pacific Ocean. The prevailing winds bring moisture to the Amazon Rainforest. When the wet wind hits the Andes Mountains, all the moisture is left on the east side. The west side is a desert!

17. W HAT PROCESSES IS THE SUN ’ S RADIANT ENERGY A MAJOR FACTOR OF ? Wind Air pressure Temperature Water cycle

18. W HAT FACTORS INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF A HURRICANE 1. Warm ocean water 2. Low pressure 3. High humidity

19. A PERSON WHO STUDIES WEATHER IS ? A meteorologist

20. W HAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LAND AN SEA BREEZE ?

1.Land heats up faster than water. 2.Warm air over land rises. 3.Air over water moves to shore. 4.Would occur during the day. 5.Named a SEA breeze because it comes from the sea.

1.Land cools off faster than water. 2.Warm air over water rises. 3.Cool air from land takes its place. 4.Would occur at night. 5.Called a LAND breeze because the wind is coming from the land.