Seasons
What causes seasons?
The tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the sun cause seasons
Define weather
Weather is the atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind.
What is precipitation?
Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground.
What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a large, organized storm system characterized by strong winds and heavy rain, typically forming over warm ocean waters.
What is a solstice?
A solstice is when the sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky, marking the longest and shortest days of the year.
What is a solstice?
A solstice is the longest or shortest day of the year, occurring when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.
What factors influence daily weather?
Factors influencing daily weather include water vapor, cloud cover, landforms, elevation, and air movement.
Name the three types of precipitation.
The three types of precipitation are rain, snow, and hail.
What is "Tornado Alley"?
"Tornado Alley" is a region in the central United States where tornadoes are frequent, particularly between Texas and Nebraska.
Define climate.
Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a specific area over a significant period.
What is an equinox?
An equinox is a day when there are equal lengths of day and night, occurring in spring and autumn.
How does elevation affect weather conditions?
Elevation can affect weather conditions by causing temperature changes; higher elevations tend to be cooler and may receive more precipitation.
What is convectional precipitation?
Convectional precipitation occurs when warm air rises, cools, and condenses into rain, typically in tropical regions.
What is a blizzard?
A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds, low visibility, and heavy snowfall.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
How does the Earth's tilt influence sunlight?
The Earth's tilt affects how sunlight is distributed across the planet, leading to seasonal changes in temperature and daylight.
What role does air movement play in weather?
Air movement, or wind, influences weather patterns by distributing heat and moisture across different regions.
What is orographic precipitation?
Orographic precipitation occurs when moist air is lifted over mountains, causing it to cool and condense, resulting in precipitation on the windward side.
Describe the effects of a significant tornado outbreak.
A significant tornado outbreak can cause widespread destruction, injuries, and fatalities, as seen in events like the April 1974 outbreak.
Explain what a drought is.
A drought is an extended period of abnormally low rainfall, resulting in a water shortage.
How do solstices and equinoxes relate to the seasons?
Solstices mark the beginning of summer and winter, while equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and autumn.
Explain how cloud cover can affect temperature.
Cloud cover can affect temperature by trapping heat (increasing temperature) or reflecting sunlight (decreasing temperature).
Describe how frontal precipitation occurs.
Frontal precipitation occurs when a warm air mass meets a cold air mass, causing the warm air to rise, cool, and condense, leading to precipitation.
What are the impacts of severe droughts?
Severe droughts can lead to crop failures, water shortages, and significant economic and environmental impacts.
What does the term "air mass" refer to?
An "air mass" is a large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics, influencing weather patterns.