Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is primarily made up of which 2 gases? What is the amount of each?
Nitrogen - 78% and Oxygen 21%
What drives the water cycle?
The Sun
Air masses are huge bodies of air that have similar _____________, ____________ and ____________.
Temperature, humidity and air pressure.
What is a scientist who studies and predicts weather called?
A meteorologist
How and when do thunderstorms form?
Thunderstorms form from warm air carrying lots of moisture is forced upward along a cold front. Positive and negative electrical charges build up and discharge causing lightening.
In which layer of the atmosphere does Earth's weather occur?
The troposphere
Water Vapor Condenses.
What two factors influence how air masses move? In what direction do air masses move over the continental US?
Prevailing westerlies and jet streams. Air masses in the US move from west to east.
Which front will bring some clouds and light precipitation?
Warm Front
Why don´t Hurricanes form in oceans in the Northern part of the Earth?
Hurricanes need warm air to form.
As altitude (the distance above sea level) increases, air pressure ____________
Decreases
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is the percent of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold.
What are the four types of air masses?
Continental polar, Continental tropical, Maritime polar, and Maritime tropical.
If you see a high pressure symbol on a weather map what does this tell you about the weather in that area? What about low pressure?
High pressure means the skies will be clear. Low pressure means the skies will be cloudy and it might rain or storm.
What type of damage would a F4 tornado have?
F4 torandos will level houses.
What causes wind? What is the difference between local winds and global winds?
Wind is caused by unequal heating of the Earth's surface. Local winds are caused by unequal heating over small areas. Global winds are caused by unequal heating over much larger areas, from the equator to the poles.
What are the Five Stages of Water cycle?
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, accumulation
What are the four types of fronts?
Warm fronts, Cold fronts, Occluded fronts, and Stationary fronts
What kind of weather would you expect if you see a cold front moving into an area?
Cold fronts bring heavy rain and thunder that move quickly.
What is one way to prevent floods?
Dams and/or Levees
What is the order of the layers of the atmosphere from closest to Earth to farthest away from Earth? (5 of them)
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere
Water droplets come together and get too heavy and fall towards Earth
What air masses will form over Canada?
Continental and Polar
If you see a stationary front on a weather map, what does that tell you?
Stationary fronts mean there is likely to be precipitation and clouds for several days.
What is a storm safety tip that work for all storms?
Find and seek shelter.