Understanding Basic Concepts
- explain the difference between weather and climate and the factors that influence both of these systems
- identify patterns in air movement
- identify the effects of air pressure
1. Define weather.weather-The WEATHER is the condition of the atmosphere (or changes in the atmosphere) at a particular time and place.
2. What four factors affect weather-
the air
the sun
water
the earth's movement
Weather vs Climate
http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/index.htm 3. What is the difference between climate and weather? Climate is what you expect; Weather is what you get. Climate is about long-term records, trends and averages; Weather is the day to day experience.
Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design and Communication
- design, construct, and test a variety of weather instruments
- use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, in describing their investigations and observations
The following web site describes some of the instruments meteorologists use to collect data about the weather. http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/weather/instruments.html Use the information to complete the chart.
The source of this information is American so you may have to determine the equivalent metric unit to record in the chart.
Instrument Name
What It Measures
Unit of Measurement
.
barometer
measures air pressure
millibar
.
thermometer
measures the air temperature
. Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit
. rain guage
rain
mm
.Campbell Stokes Recorder
measures sunshine
hours
. Rain gauge
measures the amount of rainfall
mm
.Anemometer
measures wind speed
mph
Wind Vane/Wind Sock
measures wind direction
pointing towards North, East, South or West
Weather Wise
Clouds
Understanding Basic Concepts
- explain the formation of clouds and the effects of different cloud formations on weather and climate
Understanding Basic Concepts
-recognize large-scale and local weather systems
- predict local weather patterns using data from their own observations of weather and from weather reports
- identify patterns in air movement
"Cirrus" in latin means curl and these clouds are named because they resemble wisps of curly hair
They are often a sign that it is going to rain.
altocumulus
Altocumulus clouds consist of a thin sheet of white or gray clouds that are broken into bands, blobs, rolls or waves.The name altocumulus means middle height and heap
They bring a sign of rain and snow
nimbostratus
The word Nimbostratus means "rainstorm" and "spread out" in Latin.
Rain and snow often accompany the development of nimbostratus clouds.
cumulus
Cumulus clouds are puffy, low altitude clouds. These clouds often resemble cotton balls.
Cumulus clouds can cause rain, although rain does not always follow cumulus clouds.
cumulonimbus
These clouds are named because they are puffy ("cumulo") and because they often are dark clouds which cause rainstorms ("nimbus").
Cumulonimbus clouds can produce rain showers, snow showers, hail, or even thunderstorms.
Wind Forecasting
Wind Direction
Possible Weather
North
South
East
West
Senses Forecasting
Weather Wise
Warm and Cold Fronts
Understanding Basic Concepts
- explain the difference between warm and cold fronts and the factors that influence both of these systems
- identify types of weather associated with each front
Write the capital letter A or B at the end each sentence. A = Cold Front B = Warm Front 1. Cool air mass - warm air mass moves in.B
2. Warm air mass - cool air mass moves in.A
3. Brings gentle rains that may last for hours or days.A
4. Strong winds are formed followed by heavy rain, crashing
thunder, and flashing lightning.B
5. When the front passes, the temperature warms up and it
becomes humid.A
6. When the front passes, the weather turns cooler.B
7. Farmer Brown prefers this type of front.A
8. Usually happens and is over with quickly.B
Weather Wise
The Elements of Weather
- explain the difference between weather and climate and the factors that influence both of these systems
- identify patterns in air movement
- identify the effects of air pressure
What is Weather?
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/weather/how.html1. Define weather.weather-The WEATHER is the condition of the atmosphere (or changes in the atmosphere) at a particular time and place.
2. What four factors affect weather-
Weather vs Climate
http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/index.htm3. What is the difference between climate and weather?
Climate is what you expect; Weather is what you get.
Climate is about long-term records, trends and averages;
Weather is the day to day experience.
Air Pressure
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/whighlow/whighlow.htm4. Complete the following chart:
High Pressure
Low Pressure
up
warm
Weather Wise
Measuring the Weather
- design, construct, and test a variety of weather instruments
- use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, in describing their investigations and observations
The following web site describes some of the instruments meteorologists use to collect data about the weather.
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/weather/instruments.html
Use the information to complete the chart.
The source of this information is American so you may have to determine the equivalent metric unit to record in the chart.
barometer
measures air pressure
millibar
thermometer
measures the air temperature
Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit
rain guage
Rain gauge
measures the amount of rainfall
mm
Weather Wise
Clouds
- explain the formation of clouds and the effects of different cloud formations on weather and climate
Use this web site to answer the following questions.
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/weather/clouds.html
1. What are clouds?Clouds are a major part of our weather
2. Explain how clouds form.Clouds form when air cools below its saturation point and causes water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets.
3. What are the 3 "families" of clouds and what do their Latin names mean?cirrus, cumulus, and stratusCirrus means 'curl of hair', cumulus means 'heap', and stratus means 'layer'.
4. Follow the links to learn about each type of cloud and then complete the table on the next page.
To help you identify clouds, download, print and construct the following "Cloud Key".
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/cloudkey.pdf
After completing the chart, you could try a Cloud Quiz at;
http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/Students_Teachers/animations/cloudzstart.shtml
Weather Wise
Forecasting
-recognize large-scale and local weather systems
- predict local weather patterns using data from their own observations of weather and from weather reports
- identify patterns in air movement
Read the details at http://weathereye.kgan.com/cadet/forecast/camp.html and follow the links.
Cloud Forecasting
Wind Forecasting
Senses Forecasting
Weather Wise
Warm and Cold Fronts
- explain the difference between warm and cold fronts and the factors that influence both of these systems
- identify types of weather associated with each front
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2002/es2002page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization
Write the capital letter A or B at the end each sentence.
A = Cold Front B = Warm Front
1. Cool air mass - warm air mass moves in.B
2. Warm air mass - cool air mass moves in.A
3. Brings gentle rains that may last for hours or days.A
4. Strong winds are formed followed by heavy rain, crashing
thunder, and flashing lightning.B
5. When the front passes, the temperature warms up and it
becomes humid.A
6. When the front passes, the weather turns cooler.B
7. Farmer Brown prefers this type of front.A
8. Usually happens and is over with quickly.B