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Science News
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The study of atmospheric phenomena
What is Meteorology? The study of atmospheric phenomena Greek root word meteoros.. High in the air
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Examples of meteors…
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Anything high in the sky
Raindrops Rainbows Dust Snowflakes Fog Lighting
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Atmosphere phenomena are classified as types of meteors
Hydrometeors: cloud droplets & precipitation (rain, snow & sleet) Lithometeors: suspended particles (smoke, dust & haze) Electrometers: signs of electricity (thunder & lighting)
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Variations of Atmosphere Phenomena
Weather: short term variations in atmospheric phenomena Climate: long term average of variations in weather for a particular area (over 30 years)
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4 causes of weather The uneven solar heating of the earth’s surface
Transfer of thermal energy (R,C,C) Water phase change (E,C,P) releasing latent heat Air masses traveling & colliding
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Air Masses Air Mass: a large body of air that has the same characteristics (Temperature & Moisture) as its source region Source Region: area of earth’s surface that effects air mass formation Air Mass Modification: As it moves over land or water with different characteristics, it transfers thermal energy and/or moisture
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Air Mass Classification
Moisture: influenced by surface designated m for maritime (wet) & c for continental (dry) Temperature: influenced by latitude High Latitude = Cold & Low Latitude = Warm A (arctic), P (polar) and T (tropical)
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Mid latitudes are zones of clashing air masses = stormy
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Air Masses Effecting North America
Much of the weather in North America, especially weather east of the Rocky Mountains, is influenced by continental polar (cP) & maritime tropical (mT) air masses.
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HOMEWORK Review Notes Quiz Tomorrow Read Text p 312 – 316
Ch 12 Study Guide Sheet due Friday 4/3
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What degree latitude is the Tropic of Cancer?
QUIZ 1. Define Weather 2. Define Climate 3. Name one cause of weather 4. Name the two classifications of air masses 5. (m) Maritime air mass has what characteristic? BONUS What degree latitude is the Tropic of Cancer?
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Day & Night Across the Earth
Science News Day & Night Across the Earth Sun and Moon Data for CHICAGO IL
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Good Good Good Good Good Good Good
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Continental polar (cP)
AIR MASSES & WEATHER Continental polar (cP) From northern Canada and interior of Alaska Winter very cold, dry Summer cool, dry Responsible for lake-effect snows Mass crosses the Great Lakes
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AIR MASSES & WEATHER Maritime polar (mP)
From North (P)acific & (A)tlantic Oceans Winter (P) mild, humid (A) cold, humid Summer (P) mild, humid (A) cold, humid Influence in the northeastern & western United States causing cold temperatures and snow
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Continental tropical (cT)
AIR MASSES & WEATHER Continental tropical (cT) From Southwest and Mexico Winter warm, dry Summer hot, dry
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Maritime tropical (mT)
AIR MASSES & WEATHER Maritime tropical (mT) From the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean Winter warm, humid Summer hot, humid Eastern USA Usually unstable!
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What is WIND? The horizontal motion of air across Earth’s surface; movement produced by differences in air pressure from an area of high pressure (warm air) to an area of low pressure (cool air)
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GLOBAL WINDS
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Global Winds The atmosphere balances differences of unequal heating by acting as a giant heat-transfer system. This system moves warm air toward high latitudes and cool air toward the equator
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GLOBAL Direction of WIND
Makes no sense without caption in book
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3 WIND SYSTEMS “ZONES” Polar easterlies
60 DEGREES – POLES N & S LATITUDES Dense cold air sinking from the polar high toward the sub polar low. These winds are not constant like the trade winds.
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Westerlies 30 – 60 DEGREES N & S LATITUDES
Dominant and steady surface wind moving west-to-east towards the POLES. Move much of the weather across USA & Canada.
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Trade winds 30 degrees N – 30 degrees S LATITUDES
Two belts of winds, air in this region sinks, warms and moves toward the equator in an easterly direction.
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Boundaries of Wind Systems
JET STREAM: A narrow band of fast moving wind that varies with seasons Result of the difference between air masses (Temperature & Pressure) at the wind zone boundaries.
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Separate polar easterlies from prevailing westerlies
2 Types of JETSTREAMS Major POLAR JET STREAM Separate polar easterlies from prevailing westerlies Move East to West Latitudes 40 N- 60 N & 40 S-60 S
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Separate trade winds from westerlies
Minor Subtropical Separate trade winds from westerlies Latitudes 20 N – 30 N & 20 S – 30 S
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Why are the winds systems broken into zones??
Coriolis effect
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HOMEWORK Review Notes Quiz Tomorrow Read Text p 318-323
Ch 12 Study Guide Sheet due Friday 4/3
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