Weather 101
What word refers to the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place?
Weather
Stratus is a name of a ______________.
Cloud
A _____________ is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground.
Tornado
A person who studies the weather and climate is a _________________________.
meteorologist
How are clouds classified?
By their shape and height
What is the term that means air moving in a specific direction?
Wind
When air is cooled to its dew point near the ground, it forms a stratus cloud called __________________.
fog
The National Weather Service classifies a winter storm as a _______________ if the winds are 56 km/h, the temperature is low, the visibility is less than 400m in falling or blowing snow, and if these conditions persist for 3 hours or more.
Blizzard
What is another term used to explain and predict the weather?
A forecast
How would you describe a cirrus cloud?
Cirrus clouds appear high, thin, feathery clouds made of ice crystals.
What is a measure of the average amount of the motion of the molecules in the air called?
Temperature
What is a puffy, white cloud called (it looks like cotton balls)?
Cumulus cloud
What is the most powerful storm called?
A hurricane
Rain, hail, sleet and snow are types of _______________________.
Precipitation
What safety measures and precautions should someone take in a hurricane?
Possible answers: Stay indoors, if emergency staff want you to evacuate, do so ahead of time - stay away from floods nearby; have food, water and a emergency kit available.
What is the amount of water vapor present in the air called?
Humidity
What is it called when water falls from the clouds? (The answer is not rain, what is another term used?)
Precipitation
What is the instrument called that is used to measure atmospheric pressure?
Barometer
A weather person uses __________________________ to explain the temperature and air pressures around the world.
Weather maps
The weather conditions that occur in an area in general or over a long period of time is known as __________________.
climate
A measure of the amount of water vapor present in the air compared to the amount needed for saturation at a specific temperature is known as __________________.
Relative humidity
What is the precipitation in the form of lumps of ice called?
Hail
A boundary between two air masses of different density, moisture, or temperature is called a ___________________.
front
What is the temperature at which the air is saturated and condensation forms? (This is not a number, it is a term used)
dew point
What should you do for frostbite?
Possible answers: Get out of the cold; rewarm the body that is cold; drink warm liquids - hot chocolate, warm milk, etc.; seek medical care