Vocabulary
Forecasting the Weather
Water Cycle and Weather
Clouds
Severe Weather
100
What is RELATIVE HUMIDITY?
It is the amount of water vapor in the air COMPARED to the amount it can hold (at a certain temp.) 
100
What does a thermometer measure?
Air temperature. 
100
What is the water cycle?
The continuous movement of water from Earth's oceans to the atmosphere to the land and back to the ocean. 
100
Describe a cumulus cloud.
Puffy, white clouds that have flat bottoms. 
100
What is lightning?
An electric discharge that takes place between a negative and positive charge. 
200
What is CONDENSATION?
Condensation is the process by which a gas turns into a liquid.
200
What is one thing that is shown on a station model?
Temperature, precipitation, dew point temp, wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover, barometric pressure
200
What is humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. 
200
Describe stratus clouds.
Clouds that form in layers (cover large areas of the sky)
200
What 4 conditions can severe thunderstorms produce?
high winds, flash floods, hail, and tornadoes 
300
What is dew point?
Dew point is the TEMPERATURE at which gas condenses into a liquid. 
300
What do meteorologist use to predict a tornado?
Doppler Radar
300
What is weather?
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a certain time and place. 
300
Describe cirrus clouds.
Clouds that are thin, feathery, and white ( made of ice crystals). 
300
Describe how a tornado forms. (4 things!)
1. Wind moves in two directions

2. updrafts turn the air vertical

3. air moves to the bottom of the cloud

4. a funnel cloud touches the ground 

400
What is a front? 
A front is an area where two air masses meet. 
400
What conditions create a tornado?
When a cold (and dry) air mass and warm (and wet) air mass meet
400
What is one step of the water cycle and how does it affect the weather?
Evaporation- creates humidity

Precipitation- rain, sleet, snow, hail

Condensation- forms clouds

Runoff- precipitation refuels evaporation 

400
What kind of weather do cumulonimbus clouds produce?
Precipitation (thunderstorms)
400
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
Watch- a tornado may happen

Warning- a tornado has been spotted in the area

500
What is a cyclone?
A cyclone is an area that has lower pressure than the surrounding areas and winds spiral toward the center. 
500
Explain how a hurricane forms. 
1. Winds travelling in 2 different directions meet

2. They cause the storm to spin

3. Must form over water

500
What is a psychrometer?
an instrument used to measure relative humidity. 
500
What do cirrus clouds predict if they get thicker?
A change in the weather. 
500
Name 2 things to do OR not to do during a flash flood. 
1. get to high land

2. stay out of the water

3. listen for weather updates

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