1. Introduction to Weather - WebQuest
Matthew Miller & David Stoelzel
EDU 505
Summer 2013

2. Introduction
The weather is one of the few aspects in science that you will have a constant interaction with for the rest of your life. How many times have you wanted to know what the weather was going to be in order to figure out what to wear or if you were going to be able to go to an outdoor event? By learning the different factors that go into changing the weather, you will be better prepared for it.

3. Task
Your task within this WebQuest is to walk through several websites that will introduce you to different aspects of the study of weather. You will also be answering several questions as you go through this WebQuest.

4. Process
Starting on the next slide, follow the steps laid out to complete this WebQuest. As you go through this WebQuest answer the questions that follow. Base your answers on the information found on the websites given.

5. - Click http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud2.html
Directions: Follow the links provided to answer all of the questions…Good luck!
Weather for Kids: A.
Web Weather For Kids –
Clouds
- Click 1.
What is the main process behind cloud formation? _________________ 2.
When water molecules move
fast enough to escape into the air, the
molecules are ______________________ 3.
What can you do to a container of water to make the water evaporate
faster? ______________ 4.
Click
on the link to see how temperature affects air molecules: a.
Describe what happen
s to the “red” molecules as you adjust the
temperature bar.
______________________________________________________________

6. Go back to the main “Cloud” web page, Click on “Cloud Types”.5.
Go back to the main “Cloud” web page, Click on “Cloud Types”. A.
Lis t
2 characteristics for the following cloud types:
1. Low clouds -
Stratus:
2. Middle clouds
Altostratus: 3.
High clouds
Cirrus: 4.
a. Clouds with vertical development –
Cumulus:
b. What are 3 weather related events we get from cumulonimbus clouds?

7. Click Here Read the paragraph at the top, above the links:
B. Winds:
Click Here Read the paragraph at the top, above the links: a.
What leads to the development of winds?
____________________________________________________
Go to the link “Pressure” b.
Atmospheric pressure is defined as the
___________________ per
unit area exerted against a ________________ by the
______________ of the air above that surface. c.
If the number of air molecules above a surface
_________________, there are _______________ molecules to
exert a force on th
at surface and the pressure
____________________. d.
What is the air pressure at sea level? ________________________

8. -
Click the “
” at the bottom to move to the next page titled
“variation with height” e.
Where would you find fewer air molecules, 50 km above the surface or
12 km above? _________________________ f.
More than half of the atmospheres mole
cules are located below
______________________km
“ at the bottom to move to th
e next page titled “isobars”
g. A line drawn on a weather map connecting points of equal ___________________is
called an "________________". Isobars are are recorded in ________________________.

9. H - Click the “ “ until you reach the screen titled “High Pressure
Centers”. h.
What’s
another way to describe a high pressure center?
__________________
_________________
k. Label the Anticyclone below: H

11. Click the “
“ until you reach the screen titled “Low Pressure Centers”.
n. Why is cloudy weather (with likely precipitation) associated
with an
area of low pressure?
______________________________________________________
4. Go to “Names of Wind” Ø
List 2 winds and describes them: a.
__________________ - b. 5.
Go to “Wind Chill Explained with Calculator”:
a. What is the wind chill factor?
_________________________________
________________________
_________________________________________________________
b. Choose a temperature: 20 F
Choose a wind speed: mi/hr
Calculate the Wind Chill Factor: __________________

12. 6.
Precipitation:
Rain: Go to:
How does freezing rain develop?______________________________
______________________________________________________
Where does freezing rain fall mostly? _________________________
Why? ____________________________________________________
____________________________
Snow: Go to
What are the 3 variables needed to make snow? 1.
____________________________________________ 2. 3.
List 3 different snow types:
___________________
_______________
Hail: Go
How does hail form?_______________________________________
______________________________________
How large can hail get? _______________________________
Click on “Freezing Rain”

13. 7.
Wild Weather
Blizzards: Go to:
How does the National Weather Service define a blizzard?_____________
_________________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________
Hurricanes
: Go to
Provide the following facts about hurricanes:
Rotates _______________________ around an ______________
A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when winds reach
______
____mph
Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from ________________ to
____________________.
The major reason to stay away from the ocean during a hurricane is
because of the ________________________ which does the
MOST DAMAGE and causes the MOST DEATHS.

14. a. What causes a land breeze? __________________________________ 4.
Go to
a. What causes a land breeze? __________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Draw a diagram
of a
land breeze below:

15. b. What causes a
sea breeze
? _______
___________________________
___________________________________________________________
Draw a diagram of a sea breeze below:

16. Resources http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud2.html
xml
ns/es1903/es1903page01.cfm

17. Evaluation

18. Conclusion
Now that you have an introduction to the study of weather, you are now prepared to use this information and new found knowledge to better prepare yourself for everyday interaction with the weather. Especially recognizing and planning for severer weather.