predicting weather
define radar
- electrical impulses that release signals and bounce back about information about what it hit
what is a cloud
- particles of ice or rain that collect on specs of dust in the atmosphere
heat transfers from _______ (hot or cold) areas to (hot or cold) ________ areas.
transfers from hot areas to cold areas
What does a hurricane require?
What do they create?
- warm up rise from warm water, cool air replacing it
- storm surges: rising water levels
What is the definition of wind
when warm air over land mixes with cold air over land
what makes weather satellites special?
- they are able to give a summary of weather across the globe
define coalescence
when cloud droplets join together to make a rain drop
define radiation
give an example
the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves
sun heating the earth
What are the three requirements for a blizzard?
- low visibility
-winds over 65 miles per hour
- heavy snowfall
define sea breeze
occurs during the day, when warm air from the ocean replaces cold air on land
how do meteorologists organize all of the information that they have gained from their tools?
weather maps
how do clouds effect weather?
- they take water from the oceans and bring it inland
- they reflect sunlight but also trap in heat
define conduction
give an example
transfer of heat through direct contact
placing an ice pack on your head
Where do most thunderstorms occur?
- warm tropical areas
define land breeze
occurs at night, when air from the land replaces air on the ocean
What are the three types of weather forecasts?
- list them from most accurate to least
short range
medium range
extended forcasts
What are the four types of precipitation?
- rain, snow, sleet, hail
define convection
give an example
transfer of heat through liquids, solids and gases
hot air balloon
Why does lightening occur?
positive and negative charges mix in the cloud and when the tension gets too great the electrical charges release
contrast mountain and valley breeze
- mountain breeze: at night mountains cool faster
- valley breeze: during the day mountains warm faster
Why may accurate extended forecasts may never be possible?
- small random changes can cause major changes in weather patterns over time
define humidity
why the higher the humidity the hotter someone feels?
the amount of moisture in the air
the higher the humidity the warmer you feel because you can't sweat
describe how the earth's tilt around the sun creates seasons
the sun circles the earth on a tilt of about 23 degrees, the side of the earth towards the sun experiences summer while the opposite side experiences winter
What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?
- cumulus stage: warm air rises and forms cloud
- mature stage: rain, thunder and lightning occur
- final stage: storm dies off
What tool does a meteorologist use to measure wind
anemometer