Weather & Climate
Weather Patterns
Climate
Grab Bag
Forecasting
100
This is how weather and climate are different.
What is "weather is the short term conditions in a specific area/specific time, climate is the long-term average trends of certain weather variables" ?
100
This type of pressure system typically brings cloudy skies, and possible rain.
What is a "low pressure system" ?
100
Regions that have a high latitude have this type of climate. Regions that have a low latitude have this type of climate.
High latitude = colder climate
Low latitude = warmer climate
100
Air pressure is measured with this device.
What is a "barometer" ?
100
Chicago has a pressure of 995 mb whereas Detroit has a pressure of 1050 mb.
Where would you expect there to be cloudy skies and possible precipitation?
Chicago
200
This is the boundary between two opposing air masses.
What is a "weather front" ?
200
This type of front is where two opposing air masses meet and neither has enough energy to overtake the other.
What is a "stationary front" ?
200
These are the four main factors that influence climates
1) Latitude
2) Close to a large body of water
3) Elevation
4) Rain shadow
200
Regions that have this type of latitude are typically warmer than other regions.
Regions that have low latitudes (close to equator, which is 00)
200
DAILY DOUBLE:
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Describe why high pressure systems are associated with nice, sunny weather and why low pressure systems are associated with clouds, and possibly rain.
High pressure: air is pushing downward, preventing upward movement of air. This prevents evaporation, stopping the water cycle from occurring.
Low pressure: air is pushed upward, allowing water vapor to condense in the atmosphere forming clouds and possibly precipitation.
300
This is how air pressure is at high altitudes versus at low altitudes and why.
Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes. There are less air molecules per unit volume (less dense air molecules) at higher altitudes.
300
This type of air mass is moist and warm.
What is "maritime tropical" ?
300
These are the two short term climate cycles and these are the two long term climate cycles.
2 short term = seasons & el nino
2 long term = interglacials & ice ages
300
Cape Cod generally does not have as much snowfall as we do in Hopedale because of this reason.
Because Cape Cod is close to a coastline where climates are more constant/moderate/mild.
300
Make a weather prediction for southern Michigan AND central Texas.
MI - Clouds and light precipitation for the next few days followed by warmed weather.
TX - intense precipitation followed by colder temperatures.
400
DAILY DOUBLE
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Since Air IS saturated with water vapor, either dew or frost will form. Since it is < 00C outside, frost will form.
400
This type of air mass originates over land at high latitudes.
What is "continental polar" air mass?
400
In the picture below, this is the season in the northern hemisphere and why.
Winter - the NH is receiving indirect sunlight.
400
December 21st is this special day that happens once a year.
Winter Solstice in the NH
Summer Solstice in the SH
400
This type of front is when a cold air mass approaches and overtakes a warm air mass.
Occluded Front
500
This side of a mountain generally is dry and void of vegetation and this is why.
The downward side because the air has already released its moisture on the windward side.
500
Describe what's going on during an occluded front and what type of weather you could expect.
A cold front moves fast and catches up to a warm front. Warm air pushed up, clouds form, rain is likely.
500
El Nino is a short term climate cycle that is caused when trades winds do this causing this type of climate to occur in South America and Australia.
Trade winds weaken. This causes South America to receive more rain than normal and causes Australia to be drier than normal.
500
Temperature is really just this type of average energy.
Kinetic energy.
500
This type of front is likely happening in the following situation: City 1 and City 2 are 10 miles apart and both are experiencing rain. City 1's temperature is 10oC and City 2's temperature is 20oC.
Stationary Front.