Download Weather Basics Matrix - pams-hoey

Definition:
Weather is the state of the
atmosphere at a specific time
and place. Weather is the
result of heat from the sun
and earth's air and water.
Air Temperature
DEFINITION
Measure of the amount of
heat (average amount of
motion, or kinetic energy,
of molecules) in the air
Air Temperature
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Location on Earth- how
directly the sun’s rays strike
the area
•Amount of radiation from
the sun
Air Temperature
MESUREMENT
Thermometer in degrees
Celsius (°C)
Air Pressure
(Atmospheric Pressure)
DEFINITION
The force of air exerted on
an area from all directions,
including directly down,
on Earth
Air Pressure
(Atmospheric Pressure)
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Gravity pulling on air
•Altitude
•Density of the air – how close
the molecules are together
•Temperature of air – kinetic
motion of molecules
Air Pressure
(Atmospheric Pressure)
MEASUREMENT
Barometer – average pressure
of atmosphere at sea level = 1
bar; unit for reporting air
pressure is millibar (1/1000 of
a bar)
Wind
DEFINITION
Movement of air from an area
of high pressure to an area of
low pressure
Described by direction and
speed
Wind
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Differences in the amount
of solar radiation received
•Coriolis effect- rotation of
the Earth
Wind
MEASURMENT
Wind vane- measures wind directionarrow points in the direction from which
wind is blowing; a compass point may
also be used
Anemometer- measures wind speed in
kilometers (or miles) per hour
MOISTURE:
DEFINTION
Water in the atmosphere;
transitions between any of
water’s three states in
Earth's normal temperature
range
MOISTURE:
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Air Temperature
MOISTURE:
MEASURMENT
Measured as humidity
MOISTURE:
Humidity
DEFINITION
Amount of water vapor in
the air
MOISTURE:
Humidity
FACTORS THAT EFFECT
•Air temperatureHeat from the sun
evaporates water
MOISTURE:
Humidity
MEASUREMENT
Hygrometer–
measured in percent
MOISTURE:
Relative Humidity
DEFINITION
Amount of water vapor in
volume of air compared to
the maximum amount the
air can hold (saturation) at
a given temperature
MOISTURE:
Relative Humidity
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Humidity
•Air Volume
•Temperature
MOISTURE:
Relative Humidity
MEASURMENT
Psychrometer- measure
can range from 0-100
percent
MOISTURE:
Dew Point
DEFINITION
Temperature at which air is
saturated (holding all the
moisture it can hold) and
condensation (dew or
frost) forms
MOISTURE:
Dew Point
FACTORS THAT EFFECT
•Humidity
•Temperature
•Air Pressure
MOISTURE:
Dew Point
MEASUREMENT
•Calculated using humidity,
temperature, and air
pressure
MOISTURE:
Cloud Formation and Type
DEFINITION
Warm air forced upwards,
expands, and cools; When the
air is saturated, water vapor
condenses around small
particles such as dust or salt
MOISTURE:
Cloud Formation and Type
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Temperature
•Air Pressure
•Humidity
MOISTURE:
Cloud Formation and Type
MEASUREMENT
Shape and Height:
•Stratus- smooth layers at
low elevation
•Cumulus- puffy, white
•Cirrus- High, thin, white,
feathery
MOISTURE:
Precipitation
DEFINITION
Water falling from clouds
MOISTURE:
Precipitation
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
•Air Temperature- rain,
snow, sleet, hail
MOISTURE:
Precipitation
MEASUREMENT
Rain Gauge- Measured in
centimeters or inches