Weather vs Climate
What term describes short-term conditions of the atmosphere, like today’s temperature or rain?
Weather
What is the main source of energy that drives weather and the water cycle?
The Sun (solar energy)
What process changes liquid water into water vapor?
Evaporation
What natural hazard is powered by warm ocean water and low pressure?
Hurricanes
What tool shows precipitation intensity and movement using radio waves?
Radar
What term describes long-term patterns of weather measured over 30 or more years?
Climate
What happens to warm air compared to cool air?
Warm air rises; cool air sinks
Which force pulls precipitation back to Earth and moves water downhill?
Gravity
What weather event involves long, narrow bands of water vapor that can cause flooding in California?
Atmospheric rivers
What is the difference between a weather watch and a weather warning?
A watch means conditions are possible; a warning means the hazard is happening or imminent
Which of the following is used to compare climates: one week of weather data or 30+ years of data?
30+ years of data
What do we call the movement of air caused by warm air rising and cool air sinking?
Convection
During which phase change is energy released into the atmosphere?
Condensation (gas → liquid)
What is wind shear, and why is it important for tornado formation?
Wind changing speed or direction with height; it helps storms rotate
Name two ways communities prepare for natural hazards.
Evacuation routes, emergency kits, warning systems, risk maps, building codes (any two)
Los Angeles has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. What climate zone is this?
Mediterranean climate
Name two factors that influence climate in different regions of the world.
Latitude, elevation, large bodies of water, ocean currents, global wind patterns (any two)
Name three processes in the water cycle.
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration, infiltration, runoff (any three)
What is storm surge, and why is it dangerous?
A rise in ocean water pushed onto land by strong winds, causing coastal flooding
What is one example of Indigenous knowledge used to predict weather or seasonal change?
Animal behavior, wind direction, cloud formations, plant phenology, seasonal calendars
Why can’t scientists use just one storm or one year of data to describe climate?
Climate requires long-term patterns and averages over decades, not short-term events
Explain how uneven heating of Earth leads to wind and storms.
Uneven heating causes warm air to rise and cool air to sink, creating pressure differences that move air and transfer energy, forming wind and storms
How do solar energy and gravity work together to keep the water cycle moving?
Solar energy causes evaporation and heats air, while gravity pulls precipitation down and moves water as runoff and groundwater
Why are heat waves becoming more dangerous due to climate change?
They last longer, occur more often, strain energy systems, increase health risks, and raise wildfire danger
How does combining modern forecasting tools with Traditional Ecological Knowledge improve community resilience?
It combines technology with long-term observation to improve preparedness, decision-making, and safety