Influences Weather
What is an air mass?
a large volume of air that has the same temperature and moisture throughout
How do air masses form?
form when air over a large region of Earth stays in one area for many days
why is there an overall movement of air from the poles to the equator?
the poles are cold meaning they have high air pressure from the sinking air, while the equator has warm rising air that forms low pressure. Wind/air goes from high to low pressure areas
how does a thunderstorm form?
when warm humid air rises and condenses high up in the atmosphere
How does global warming effect the severity of hurricanes?
hotter temperatures means hotter ocean temperatures which will create stronger hurricanes
true or false: in a thunderstorm, it is best to seek shelter near a body of water
false
what are the 3 processes in the water cycle?
condensation, evaporation, precipitation
How do fronts form?
forms when one air mass runs into another
What are jet streams?
long distance winds that travel above the global winds for thousands of kilometers
how does thunder form?
when air is heated by lightning and expands quickly
What are some damages that can be caused by hurricanes?
downed power lines, trees uprooted, flooding, building damage, death and injury
What are some things you need to prepare for a hurricane?
an emergency kit, evacuation plan, always listen to weather reports
what is a front?
a boundary that forms between air masses
how does a cold front form?
forms when cold air moves under warm air
what are the 2 main jet streams and how do they effect weather?
polar and subtropical jet streams
the polar jet streams brings cold air down from Canada to the U.S.
How does lightning form?
when electrical charges build up in clouds creating an area of positive and negative charge
What is storm surge?
a huge mass of ocean water pushed by a hurricane up the coast of an area
Where should you seek shelter in the event of a tornado?
a room or hallway that does not have any windows and is on the ground floor
what happens to the air in a high pressure system and what type of weather forms?
the air sinks and forms clear weather
How does a stationary front form?
forms where cold air and warm air stop moving
How do warm ocean currents affect hurricanes?
makes them stronger
How do tornadoes form?
when warm air rises and horizontal winds cause the air to spin
what are types of severe weather?
thunderstorm, hail storm, tornado, floods, hurricanes
True or false: clouds protect you from the sun
false
what happens to the air in a low pressure system and what type of weather forms?
air rises and forms stormy weather
How does a warm front form?
forms when warm air moves over cold air
Why does wind not go in a straight path on Earth?
Coriolis effect
Earth's rotation
How do hurricanes form?
when thunderstorms move over warm water creating strong winds and a spiral of clouds
Name a state in Tornado alley
Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma
What is the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion
heat exhaustion occurs after being in the sun for awhile and your body can still sweat to cool you down while heat stroke follows heat exhaustion and occurs once your body is too dehydrated to sweat.
Heat stroke needs immediate medical attention