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SOL 4.6 WEATHER
Study Guide
Temperature
 is the measurement of the amount of heat of an object
 The more directly the sunlight hits the earth’s surface, the higher the
temperature will be.
 The faster air molecules move the higher their temperature.
 A thermometer measures temperature.
 Warm air rises. Cold air is heavier and sinks down to the ground.
Air Pressure and Wind
 Air pressure is the force with which air presses against the earth’s surface.
 Wind is air moving from a high pressure area to a low pressure area.
 A barometer measures air pressure.
 An anemometer measures wind speed.
 A wind vane measures the direction of the wind.
 High pressure areas have fair weather. Low pressure areas have stormy
weather.
 Air pressure is higher closer to the ground. Mountains have lower air
pressure. Valleys have higher air pressure.
Clouds
 No two clouds are exactly the same.
 Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets.
 A cloud that forms close to the ground is called fog.
 A stratus cloud forms in layers across the sky. It usually brings rain.
 A cumulus cloud is puffy and white. It usually brings fair weather.
 A cirrus cloud is thin and made of ice crystals. It usually brings fair
weather. It is formed high in the sky.
 A cumulonimbus cloud is a storm cloud. It brings rain or snow. It is also
called a thunderhead.
Humidity and Precipitation
 Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air.
 A hygrometer measures humidity.
 Precipitation falls from the clouds. Snow, sleet, rain, and hail are examples.
It is measured using a rain gauge.
Fronts, air masses, and weather maps
 An air mass is a large amount of air that has the same temperature and
humidity.
 The place where two air masses meet is called a front.
 A warm front forms when warmer air pushes against colder air. It is shown
on a weather map with a red bumpy line.
 A cold front forms when colder air pushes against warmer air. It is shown
on a weather map as a blue pointed line.
 Air masses and fronts move from west to east in the United States.
Thunderstorms, Hurricanes, and Lightning
 Lightning is caused by electrical charges that build up inside a cloud.
 A hurricane is a violent storm that develops over tropical water. The eye of
the hurricane is a calm region in its center.
 A tornado is a funnel shaped cloud with high winds.
 A hurricane is much bigger than a tornado. It also has stronger winds and
lasts longer than a tornado.