Lesson 5 – Predicting the Weather © Brent Coley 2010 |

forecast: to predict what will happen based on what you know and see forecast: to predict what will happen based on what you know and see Scientists use air pressure, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and types of clouds to forecast the weather. Scientists use air pressure, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and types of clouds to forecast the weather.

A weather map shows the weather in a given area at one time. A weather map shows the weather in a given area at one time.

Weather maps list information like air temperature, wind speed and direction, and cloud cover. Weather maps list information like air temperature, wind speed and direction, and cloud cover.

A front is where one air mass meets another air mass. A front is where one air mass meets another air mass. Rain or storms occur along fronts. Rain or storms occur along fronts.

Warm fronts are shown with red half circles. Warm fronts are shown with red half circles.

Cold fronts are shown with blue triangles. Cold fronts are shown with blue triangles.

The jet stream is a global wind that blows across the United States from west to east. The jet stream is a global wind that blows across the United States from west to east. westeast (up to 150 miles per hour) jet stream

Low Pressure Systems Low Pressure Systems – Warm and humid – Bring warm, stormy weather High Pressure Systems High Pressure Systems – Cool and dry – Bring dry, clear, fair weather

Scientists collect weather data by using: Scientists collect weather data by using: – weather satellites – weather balloons – Doppler radar

Weather map images are public domain and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. All images courtesy of Microsoft Office Online.