Weather Tools
What tool measures air temperature and in what unit?
Thermometer. In science we use Celcius
What two characteristics describe an air mass?
Temperature and Humidity level
What is the boundary between two air masses called?
a Front
High to Low
What are the lines that connect equal air pressure called?
AND
What does their spacing tell you?
Isobars or Isolines
How windy that region is.
Close together = very windy
Far apart = minimal wind
A barometer measures what weather variable?
Air Pressure
In an air mass symbol, what does the first letter indicate?
Humidity level
What type of front is present, when warm air is pushed upward causing it to condense and produce rain?
a cold front
Rising warm air causes what type of pressure?
AND
What type of weather is expected here?
Low pressure
Clouds and possible precipitation
What causes all weather on earth?
The sun's uneven heating of the earth, causing areas of varied pressures/densities.
What tool measures the dewpoint and humidity level?
Psychrometer
Describe the characteristics of an air mass labeled mP
Humid and Cold.
m= maritime (formed over water, humid)
P = polar (cold temperature)
A front moves slowly and warm air gradually rises over cooler air. What type of front is this?
Warm front.
What properties causes warm air to rise and cool air to sink?
AND
What is the name of this process?
Density
Convection
Where do hurricanes typically form? Why do they form here?
Hurricanes need warm ocean water that is being shifted by strong wind. They usually form near low latitudes.
Brighton is experiencing an 8 mph NE wind. What instrument(s) is/are used to make this observation?
Anemometer - Wind Speed
Wind Vain - Wind Direction
An air mass forms over the Gulf of Mexico. Which air mass symbol is likely?
mT
Maritime Tropical (humid and warm)
Compare the speed and precipitation of warm and cold fronts
Cold Fronts: Typically moves quickly with quick/heavy precipitation.
Warm Fronts: typically moves slower with light/long-lasting precipitation.
Why are the states in the Midwest (ex: Kansas, Illinois, India) have more extreme weather changes than states eastern states (ex: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virgina)?
Eastern (and western) states are along the coast. Since the ocean water does not heat or cool as fast as land, those regions do not have as extreme temperature changes as states that are inland (Midwest states)
Earth's rotation causes the paths of winds and ocean currents to deflect (curve). What is this phenomena called?
The Coriolis Effect
A psychrometer indicates that the dry temperature is 72 degrees Celecius and the Wet bulb/dewpoint is 70 degrees Celcius. What weather would you expect to experince?
very humid due to minimal difference between the current temperature and the dewpoint
Compare cA and mT air masses. Explain ow their source regions relate to moisture and temperature.
cA = Continental Arctic = formed over cold land, so low humidity and cold temperature.
mT = Martitime Tropic = formed over warm water, so high humidity and warm temperature
A cold front catches up to and overtakes a warm front resulting in extreme storms. What type of front is this? Draw a model.
On a sunny day, you are standing on the shore of Lake Ontario. Describe why you experience a sea breeze.
Land warms more quickly than water. Air above the land warms and rises, and cooler air flows from over the water toward the land at the surface, creating a breeze.
How does Latitude relate to air temperature?
As latitude increases (you get further from the equator), air temperatures, typically decrease.