Weather vs Climate
Who or what is a meteorologist?
A scientist who uses temperature, air pressure, wind, and humidity to predict the weather
After the Sun heats a lake, water goes into the air as water vapor. Which two Earth's spheres are interacting? Explain your answer.
The hydrosphere (because of the water in the lake and air) and atmosphere (because of the air experiencing evaporation)
What is the MAIN source of energy that powers the water cycle and helps create Earth's winds?
The Sun!
What is a jet stream and where is it found?
A large, fast-moving current of air found high up in the atmosphere
Ocean currents are part of which of Earth's spheres?
The hydrosphere
Weather report 1: predicts strong winds and chance of thunderstorms this weekend in Austin, Texas.
Weather report 2: describes the average yearly temperatures in Sydney, Australia that range from 25.8°C (78.4°F) to 8.8°C (47.8°F).
Which report describes climate and which is weather (explain why)?
Report 1 = Weather
because it predicts conditions for a short period of time.
Report 2 = Climate
because it describes average temperatures over many years.
During a rainstorm, water falls onto the ground and soaks into the soil. Which two spheres are interacting with the hydrosphere in this example? Explain your answer.
The atmosphere (because of precipitation from the air/sky) and geosphere (because of the ground/soil)
Why is air warmer at the equator and what sphere is this warmth found in?
More of the sun's rays hit the equator and warm the atmosphere there.
What is the difference between a cold front and a warm front (in terms of which temperature air mass is moving forward and replacing the other)?
At a cold front, advancing cold air replaces warm air.
At a warm front, advancing warm air replaces cold air.
What are ocean currents?
They are moving water in the ocean
Scientists usually use how many years of weather data to describe a place's climate?
30 years
Moist air cools and forms clouds above a coastal city. What process is happening (from the water cycle), and how could it affect the city's weather?
Condensation.
It forms clouds and can help lead to precipitation.
In which direction does air generally move because of air-pressure differences caused by the changes in air temperature?
(low-to-high or high-to-low)
From high-to-low pressure areas
Choose the correct answers:
During a [warm/cold/normal] front, a cold air mass advances and goes [on top of/underneath/through the middle of] a warmer air mass. This will cause temperatures to [decrease/increase/stay the same] after it passes.
During a cold front, cold air mass advances and goes underneath a warmer air mass. This will cause temperatures to decrease after it passes.
Fill in the blank:
Ocean currents move _____ water from the equator towards the ______.
Fill in the blank: Ocean currents move warm water from the equator towards the poles (north and south).
Scientists find that a region's average rainfall has decreased over several decades. How could this change affect the hydrosphere and biosphere?
Rivers and lakes may have less water, and plants and animals may struggle with less available water
A warm ocean causes more water to evaporate into the air. What weather condition could this help increase?
Humidity (more water vapor in the air)
Two coastal cities receive similar amounts of sunlight, but one is next to a warm ocean current and the other is next to a cold ocean current.
Can the climate of these cities be different? Explain why.
Yes the climates can be different because the warm current can make coastal air warmer and supply more moisture through evaporation, while the cold current can keep nearby air colder.
What is an air mass, and name at least two important characteristics that it has
A large body of air with its own temperature, humidity, and air pressure
What is the name of the warm ocean current that flows north along USA's east coast in the Atlantic Ocean?
The Gulf Stream
A city usually has warm, rainy summers. Next week, a cold, dry air mass is expected to arrive. Explain how the city's weather might change next week and explain if this will change its overall climate.
Temperatures and humidity may temporarily decrease because of the air mass.
The city's overall climate describes long-term patterns, so it does not change because of this one event.
Scientists observe that an area with many farms has experienced much less precipitation over many years.
How might this affect the hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere in that area?
Less precipitation can reduce the amount of water in rivers, lakes, and soil (hydrosphere), dry out soil leading to it eroding away (geosphere), and make it harder for plants and animals (including humans) to survive (biosphere)
The sun warms the Earth unevenly. This creates differences in temperature and therefore pressure. These movements help create what?
In which general direction do jet streams move? (think north, east, south, west)
Explain why.
From west to east, because Earth's rotation (and temperature differences help control wind patterns)
How do ocean currents affect the temperature (and humidity) of nearby coastal areas?