Weather and Climate

What is Weather?

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere in a certain place at a certain time. Weather can change from day to day, hour to hour, or even minute to minute. Weather is what is happening right now!

Key words for weather Raining Snowing The temperature outside Storming Approaching storm Clear skies Foggy

Weather can be predicted…

Climate Climate is the bigger picture of weather conditions over a longer period of time. An average of conditions over at least a 30 year period. (3 decades) Climate information can be used to classify an area as a desert, tundra, or rain forest.

Climate Key words Average Annual Decades Centuries In general Pattern Over time Normal temperature or rainfall

Climate information can be found… Average Highs and Lows Almanacs Climate Zones

Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get! Weather vs Climate Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get!

Weather Fronts Weather changes at fronts. When the fronts meet usually we have thunderstorms and rain.

In the United States, fronts usually move west to east and bring a change in weather. They are often associated with rain or storms. Cold Front Symbol Warm Front Symbol

After the Front… Once a front has passed through an area, the sky is generally clear and bright. A cold front generally means the area will be cooler (sometimes much colder) after the front passes through. A warm front generally brings warmer weather to an area after the front has passed through.

Air masses move and meteorologists track them down with maps and symbols. Knowing the direction a front is moving helps predict what the weather will be like.

L H Happy Highs Area of High pressure – usually Sunny and good weather Area of Low pressure – Usually rainy and bad weather Lousy Lows L H

4.8A The map below shows weather conditions in North America for one day in October. The cold front continued to move farther south for the next couple of days. What weather pattern most likely occurred in North Texas 24 hours after the cold front passed through? A rain C tornadoes B hail D clear skies

What type of front is passing through Dallas? How might it affect the temperature in Dallas tomorrow? cold Clear and cooler