Sunday Morning

Sunday Night

Monday Morning

Monday Evening

Tuesday Morning

Tuesday Evening

Wednesday Morning

Wednesday Evening

Thursday Morning

Thursday Evening

February Snowstorm (snowday)

Superstorm Sandy

Aim: How can we explain wind?

Wind Winds are caused by differences in air pressure Often caused by changing temperature or water vapor content (humidity)

Air Pressure Gradient Gradient = change in air pressure distance The closer the isobars, the higher the pressure gradient The higher the gradient, the higher the wind speed

Gentle gradient 8mb/100 miles Low wind speeds Steep pressure gradient 1028 1008 1012 1024 1016 1020 1020 Steep pressure gradient 12mb/100 miles High wind speeds Gentle gradient 8mb/100 miles Low wind speeds

Measuring Wind Anemometers measure wind speed Measured in mph and knots 1 knot = 1.15 mph

Anemometer Wind Vane

Wind Direction Winds are named by the direction from which they blow. A southerly wind is coming from the SOUTH

Wind Movement Wind moves from areas of HIGH pressure to areas of LOW pressure

What do you see? How is the air moving?.

Describe what you see in your notes next to the picture.

How High and Lows form Stop! How do you think a low pressure center forms? Think about how there are no clouds and the processes that require evaporation

High Pressure Associated with sinking air. Rotates outward and clockwise in the NH Cooler air sinks and creates clear skies that we associate with H pressure systems Called anticyclones

Draw the High pressure

Low Pressure Warmer, unstable air Air rises and eventually cools forming clouds Rotates inward and counterclockwise in the NH Also called cyclones

Draw the L pressure

TTYP: why do we get cool winds from the ocean during the day? Hint, it has to do with pressure

Land vs. Sea Breeze

Sea Breezes During day: land is warmer (lower specific heat), water is cooler high temp = low pressure over land, higher pressure over water. Winds blow from water to land (sea breeze)

Land Breezes During night: land cools down faster (lower specific heat), water is warmer Low temp = high pressure over land, lower pressure over water Winds blow from land to water (land breeze)