Weather Basics
What do we call the atmospheric conditions that last from a few hours to several days?
weather
Which type of air mass is cold and moist?
Maritime polar
What direction do global winds generally move across North America?
From west to east
Weather patterns observed over several years describes what?
climate
Which severe weather limits water for crops and people?
Drought
What variables are used to describe weather? Name at least 3.
Air temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, humidity, cloud cover, and precipitation
What air mass brings unusually warm and humid air from the equator to Florida?
Maritime tropical
What are fast-moving bands of air that circle the globe called?
Jet streams
What defines climate zones?
Air temperature and precipitation.
Which severe weather event is most destructive on Earth?
Hurricane
What term describes the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor?
Dew Point
What is it called when a cold air mass pushes a warm air mass straight upward?
cold front
The larger the curve in the jet stream, the farther what can travel south?
Cold air
Why aren’t weather fronts used to classify climates?
They don’t last long enough.
What front brings steady rain for several to many days?
Stationary front
Both of these form when saturated air reaches its dew point and water vapor condenses. You must name both to get the questions correc.
Clouds and fog
What type of front brings days of cloudy, steady rain?
Stationary front
Why are tornadoes more common in spring and summer? What does the jet stream do?
The jet stream moves northward, allowing warm, moist air to move farther north.
Why don’t hurricanes form farther north or south of 30 degrees latitude?
The water is too cold and lacks enough water vapor.
What front causes short, heavy thunderstorms?
Cold front
What determines whether precipitation is rain, sleet, or snow?
Air temperature
Which air mass brings cold, dry air to areas north of the jet stream?
Continental polar
How do global winds influence weather systems?
They move weather systems in the same direction they blow—west to east.
Why does Florida have a warm, humid climate year-round?
Maritime tropical air masses dominate the area.
Why do hurricanes require warm air and water?
Warm water adds water vapor and energy for storm formation.