Fronts
What front is created when a cool air mass pushes into a warm air mass and lifts the warm air straight up.
Cold Front
What conditions do you need for snow?
Cold air from the clouds to the ground
What is an example of what cyclones can create?
(can create or types of cyclones)
Examples: Hurricane/Typhoon, Winter storm/Blizzard, tropical storms, tropical disturbances/depressions
What kind of front is most well known for making thunderstorms?
Cold Front
An area is about to get hit by a warm front, what kind of weather will they experience because of the front?
wide area of light precipitation, warmer weather after
This front will typically have weather that lasts longer than other fronts
Stationary Front
What precipitation is possible if you have cold in the upper atmosphere, a layer of warm air, and then cold air before hitting the ground
[Cold]
[Warm]
[Cold]
Sleet or Freezing Rain
The Great Lakes Tropical Storm of 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAOBPGlFqZo
What are storms "fed" to make them powerful and keep going
warm and humid air / going over very warm water
What is the pattern of rising and falling air called?
Convection Cell
Why The Weather Is Worse At The Mall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF2PVuQ_s8M
After watching the video, answer this question: What do you predict will happen to a thunderstorm that moves over a large shopping mall?
The thunderstorm would get stronger because of the hot air coming off of the mall.
How is an occluded front formed?
A warm air mass is trapped between two cold air masses
OR
A warm front is hit by a cold front
Why are snowflakes flat?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJDbg3wJQkY&list=PLsNB4peY6C6LDrqXKj1pohMgLISMnPa3m&index=10
After watching the video, answer this question: What two conditions are most important for determining the type of snowflake?
Temperature and Humidity
What is the definition of a cyclone?
Air rotating around an area of low-pressure
Why Do Tornadoes Hate America?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yiZveJAEp4
What features of the United States make tornados more likely? 100pts per feature
(Mr.Woz has 4 features listed, but he may accept ones not listed)
Gulf of Mexico / Warm Moist Air from equatorial region
Mountains / Cool Dry Air
Desert air / Hot Dry air
Latitude (30-50 degrees) / Air flowing at different altitudes
Why is more severe weather, (like Thunderstorms, Tornados, Hurricanes), usually more associated with summer months?
These storms need hot air to form. The hotter the air, the more severe it can be.
Anatomy of a Super Storm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh2CON0oE78
After watching the video, answer this question: Based on the video, what symbol could be used to represent the front?
Bonus 200 points are available if you can accurately represent the directions of the air masses with your symbol. Show or write what direction they are moving (north/south/east/west)
As a stationary front, it should be a line with alternating red half-circles and blue triangles.
Bonus: The red half circles should be pointed to the northwest, the blue triangles should be pointed to the southeast
Ultimately, what determines the type of precipitation that hits the ground?
It may be useful to specifically talk about what causes what type
The temperatures of the layers of air between the cloud and the ground. Whether or not the water falls through air that can freeze/melt the water
What do cyclones need to become larger/more powerful?
Hot and Humid air
What are 3 things Thunderstorm clouds can make?
Examples: Rain/other precipitation, Hail, Tornados, Convection Cells, lightning/thunder
An area inside a slow moving mT air mass has a cP air mass approaching quickly. What kind of weather could this area experience?
ONLY the most detailed answer will get points.
The area will be hit by a cold front. They should expect a sudden change in weather, which might include strong winds. They can have large and tall clouds that may lead to heavy precipitation, or develop into thunderstorms or even hail or tornados. After the front passes, they will get colder temperatures.
(WORTH 600 points, 200 for each correct answer)
For the following fronts, name a signature feature of their weather. You should have 3 different signatures listed
- Cold Front
- Warm Front
- Stationary
For each, any of the following works
Cold: Colder weather, Tall Clouds, Thunderstorms/Tornados, Strong Winds
Warm: Broad/wide area, warmer weather, humidity
Stationary: Fog, lasting longer, can have features of warm/cold front, more clear skies
How is hail formed?
In large clouds with convection cells, the cloud can "juggle" ice, adding more and more layers of ice.
Why do cyclones spin?
The Coriolis effect
The Never-ending Lightning Storm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCma7xq4KE0
What features make Lake Maracaibo the Lightning Capital of the world?
(Correct answers get 500pts, a bonus 100pts will be given to the strongest answer)
- Being in the tropics / Having hot water
- Being surrounded by mountains
Why Hurricane Paths Are Weird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=303wqL73KkA
What things can affect a Hurricane's path? 100pts for every one named. Up to 1000pts
Westerlies
Trade Winds
Low level winds (will be accepted as "Winds")
High Level winds (Need to specifically mention being at higher altitude)
Cold weather Fronts
Warm water
Land
Other cyclones
its own spinning / circulation
Coriolis Effect (Not mentioned in video but is accepted)