Predicting Weather Chapter 6 Lesson 3 Pages 304-310

Predicting Weather Look at the picture on page 304. What do you notice? What do you wonder?

What are highs and lows? Scientists study how air moves to predict weather Different types of weather develop around areas of high and low pressure High pressure air is cool and dry=dry, clear weather Low pressure air is warm and humid=warm and stormy weather When the barometer reading drops suddenly=precipitation will fall

What are weather fronts? The weather in an area is affected by the air mass that is passing over that area A large region of the atmosphere in which the air has similar properties throughout Several air masses can be over a country at any given time Air masses that form over water tend to be humid Air masses that form over land tend to be dry Air masses that form in the tropics are hot Air masses that form in the poles are cold

What are weather fronts? A cold front occurs when cold air moves in under a warm air mass Cold fronts bring brief, heavy storms. Air is usually cooler and drier afterward A warm front occurs when warm air moves in over a cold air mass Warm fronts bring light, steady rain or snow. Weather is usually warmer and more humid afterward

What moves air masses? After an air mass forms, global winds may move it A jet stream is a high-altitude wind caused by large temperature differences between air masses Over North America, the jet stream blows from west to east. Fronts help you predict future weather. Today’s weather is typically yesterday’s weather farther west

Answer=A Winds in North America move from west to east Answer=A Winds in North America move from west to east. Whatever weather is occurring on the western part of the country will eventually make its way to the east because the wind will move it there!

What do weather maps tell us? Weather maps show the weather in a specific area at a specific time Meteorologists are scientist who study earth’s atmosphere and weather They track variables to make forecasts, or predictions about what weather will occur Weather predictions are NOT ALWAYS accurate Meteorologists will use tools to make the best prediction, but they will not always be 100%. Weather is unpredictable because we cannot control nature!

What does weather look like? Monsoon Heavy rain fall for a long period of time (usually weeks-months) Precipitation is ANY FORM OF WATER THAT FALLS FROM THE SKY (rain, snow, sleet, hail) Hurricanes Swirling winds, dark clouds, occurs over water! Blizzards Heavy snow fall, dark skies, usually in the winter in areas further North Heavy storms Dark clouds, heavy precipitation Tornado funnels forming in the sky, high wind speeds Drought Long period without rain, many crops can die Sunny Skies are clear, temperatures are warmer