Vocabulary
These scientists collect weather data from all over the world. The data they collect is then used in weather forecasts. What are these scientists called?
Meteorologists
Why is it helpful to observe the weather?
People need to know what the weather will be like to plan their day and to stay safe if there is dangerous weather.
A tropical storm has now developed into a typhoon over the Philippines and southern China. To keep an eye on this huge storm, which tracking tool is best?
A weather satellite
A tool used to see the movement of storm clouds.
A doppler radar
Where does a cold, moist air mass form? What type of weather will it cause?
A cold, moist air mass develops over water near the poles. This air mass will cause weather that is cool and humid, possibly with precipitation.
A large storm that forms over the ocean best describes what?
A hurricane
Why would it be useful to measure the weather conditions at the same time every day?
It would be a useful constant (control) for your experiment. Air temperature and other weather conditions may change throughout the day (variables).
The city's weather forecaster warns viewers to cancel picnics and barbecues. A violent storm is on the way. Where did he most likely get his data from?
A Doppler radar tower
You are climbing a mountain. As you climb, air pressure is ___________?
decreasing
A boundary between two different air masses?
Front
This weather instrument collects data at different heights in the atmosphere.
A radiosonde
How can we observe weather patterns?
Careful observations of weather conditions every day and the use of tools such as a barometer can help us gather accurate weather data.
Tsunamis sometimes occur in the Indian Ocean. Would weather tracking instruments be used to track tsunamis? Explain your answer.
No, weather instruments wouldn't be used because tsunamis are mostly caused by undersea earthquakes. Weather is related to factors like temperature, air pressure, and humidity.
High white clouds; made of ice crystals.
Cirrus clouds
This type of from forms where a cold air mass bumps into a warmer air mass. The denser cold air pushes the warm air up. Water vapor in the air cools, and large clouds form. Thunderstorms and heavy rain often take place.
Cold Front
This weather instrument shows the amount of precipitation.
An anemometer would help you observe which two weather phenomenons (parts of weather)?
Wind speed and wind direction
Sailors are concerned that bad weather is moving from the coast to the sea. Which weather tracking instrument will give meteorologists that information?
A weather buoy
White, puffy clouds; common in sunny, blue skies.
Cummulus clouds
When does an occluded front form?
An occluded front forms when a warm air mass gets caught between two cold air masses. The warm air mass rises as the cool air masses push and meet in the middle. The temperature drops as the warm air mass is occluded, or “cut off,” from the ground and pushed upward.
Weather is the condition of the ___________ at a given place and time.
atmosphere
How does a modern barometer work?
In a modern barometer, air presses down on a vacuum chamber, a sort of airless can. As the air pressure changes, the vacuum chamber moves up or down. A lever attached to the chamber moves a pointer along a dial to measure the air pressure.
Why should the location for your weather station be sheltered from the sun?
The location should be sheltered to prevent the sun from directly heating the thermometer, so we can get accurate readings of air temperature.
Low, gray clouds; often produce drizzle (light rain).
Stratus clouds
When does a stationary front form?
A stationary front forms when a cold front or warm front stops moving. This happens when two masses of air are pushing against each other, but neither is powerful enough to move the other. Winds blowing parallel to the front instead of perpendicular can help it stay in place.