Download Meteorology Webquest

Name ____________________________Date_____________________Hour________
Earth Science: WW2010 University of Illinois – Packet 1
To start each module always log on to:
ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/home.rxml
After logging on to the site above, click on the “Clouds and Precipitation” module.
You will have 2 days of lab time to answer questions 27-65. MAKE GOOD USE OF
YOUR TIME! The answers are in order. Click on either one of these arrows
at the bottom of the page to go to the next page.
Once you have completed questions 27-65 you can work on the extra credit module
“Light and Optics”.
II. Clouds and Precipitation
27. What is a cloud? ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
A. Development
28. Give an example of a solid form of water in the atmosphere. __________
29. Give an example of a liquid form of water in the atmosphere __________
30. Give an example of a gaseous form of water in the atmosphere_________
31. What is a cloud made of? _______________________________________
32. What is a common source of moisture for the United States? _______
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
33. What is “relative humidity”?__________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
34. What is the formula or “ratio” for relative humidity?
RH = ----------------------------35. Using the table, what would be the RH if the actual vapor pressure was
o
13.3 mb with the air temperature at 16 C? _________ (label your answer)
36. Using the table, what would be the RH if the actual vapor pressure was
o
29.6 mb with the air temperature at 75 F? __________(label your answer)
37. Looking at the table, what happens to the ability of the air to hold water
vapor as the temperature goes up? _________________________________
38. What is the relationship between air temperature and the air’s ability to
hold water vapor? ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
39. What happens to air that rises through the atmosphere? (use terms such
as temperature, relative humidity, condensation, etc.) _______________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
40. What are four ways air can rise in the atmosphere to form clouds?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
41. Convection is a big word simply meaning _________________________
________________________________________________________________
42. If there is cold air aloft or cold air higher in the atmosphere then
continued _______________ growth is likely which will develop a _________
cloud.
43. Stable air is associated with ______ weather cumulous. Unstable air is
associated with _____________________ clouds.
44. What is convergence? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
45. Draw a simple picture of convergence, be sure to label your drawing.
46. Orographic clouds are clouds that form due to the ________________
of earth.
47. In our Climate unit we learned that regions on the __________________
side of the mountain receive the majority of the precipitation.
48. Frontal boundaries separate __________________________________.
49. What are the 2 fronts mentioned? Describe both fronts using terms such
as rising air, condenses, slope, types of rain or storms they produce.
a. _________________ -- _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw a simple diagram of this type of front.
b. ________________ -- ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw a simple diagram of this type of front.
50. The form of precipitation that hits the ground depends upon
_____________________________. If it is _________ then the temperature
o
must be above 32 F. If it is __________ then the temperature must be below
o
32 F.
B. Cloud Types
51. Fill in the blanks.
Latin Root
____________
Translation
heap
Example
fair weather cumulus
stratus
_________
altostratus
cirrus
curl of hair
__________
________
rain
cumulonimbus
Describe the following clouds and give 2 examples of each kind.
52. High-Level Clouds - _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
53. Mid-Level Clouds - __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
54. Low-Level Clouds - __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
55. Vertically Developed Clouds - _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
56. Other Cloud Types - __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
C. Precipitation
57. What happens inside a cloud to cause precipitation to fall to the ground?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1. Rain and Hail
58. What other form of precipitation does rain start as and how does it end
up as rain?
_____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
59. Explain how a hail stone can become bigger and bigger inside of a
cloud.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. Freezing Rain
60. Describe the conditions needed for freezing rain to occur. (use
terms like supercooled, snow, warm layer, cold layer, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw a simple diagram of the conditions for freezing rain.
61. What are some impacts on the environment due to freezing rain?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(Continue clicking on the arrow at the bottom of the page until you reach
“conditions” to answer question 62)
62. Describe the most common scenario for freezing rain. (use terms
like mid-latitude cyclone, condenses, rising air, low pressure center,
etc.)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw a simple diagram showing where the regions of freezing rain.
3. Sleet
63. Where are areas of sleet usually found in comparison to freezing
rain?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw a simple diagram showing the band of sleet that is associated
with a low pressure center.
64. What is the difference between freezing rain and sleet?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. Snow
65. Compare snow, sleet, and freezing rain. What makes them
different?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________Date___________________Hour_________
Earth Science: WW2010 University of Illinois – Packet 2
To start each module always log on to:
ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/home.rxml
After logging on to the site above, click on the “Forces and Winds” module. You
will have 2 days of lab time to answer questions 66-90. MAKE GOOD USE OF
YOUR TIME! The answers are in order. Click on either one of these arrows
at the bottom of the page to go to the next page.
Once you have completed questions 66-90 you can work on the extra credit module
“Light and Optics”.
III. Forces and Winds
66. What is pressure? ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
A. Pressure
67. Draw a diagram off to the right,
of a column of air.
68. What happens to the column of air when pressure increases?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
69. What happens to the column of air when pressure decreases?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
70. Atmospheric pressure is measured with what instrument? ____________
71. The average air pressure at sea level is 14.7 pounds per square inch
2
(lbs/in ). On television, pressure is given in __________________(_____).
Average air pressure at sea level given in this unit of measurement is _______
72. The unit of measure found on weather maps and used by meteorologists
is ______________________(____).
Average air pressure at sea level given in this unit of measurement is _______
73. Which unit of measurement is in English units and which is in Metric units?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
74. The number of air molecules _____________ with height and so _______
also decreases with height.
75. Under what altitude does half of the molecules in the atmosphere exist?
_________. What would that level be in millibars? _____________
76. Why does the air pressure drop so quickly close to the earth and then at
a slower rate further from the earth?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
77. Lines on a weather map that connect points of equal pressure are called
_______________.
78. A new Isobar is drawn every _____ millibars (mbs).
The 1032 isobar has been drawn for you. Draw the 1028, 1024, 1020, 1016,
1012, and 1008 mb isobars for the following pressure reports.
1032
1032
79. What is an isobaric surface? _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw a simple diagram to the right
showing different isobaric surfaces
in the atmosphere.
Pressure
Sea Level
1000 mb
850 mb
700 mb
500 mb
300 mb
200 mb
100 mb
Approximate
0m
100 m
1500 m
3000 m
5000 m
9000 m
12000 m
16000 m
Height
0 ft
300 ft
5000 ft
10000 ft
18000 ft
30000 ft
40000 ft
53000 ft
Approximate
15 C
15 C
05 C
-05 C
-20 C
-45 C
-55 C
-56 C
Temperature
59 F
59 F
41 F
23 F
-04 F
-49 F
-67 F
-69F
80. Using the table above approximately how high above the ground is the
500 mb pressure surface? ___________ ft or _____________ m
81. The 5 atmospheric variables or conditions that are usually kept tracked
of are _______________, _________________, __________________,
_______________, and __________________.
82. Which is more dense and compacted together, warm air or cold air?____
83. Explain how a given pressure surface can have a different height at
different locations. (use a diagram and word explanation)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
84. Word Association with a HIGH pressure center.
Letter = _______
Color = ___________
Another name = _______________________
Winds flow = ____________________ into or out of a HIGH pressure center.
(scribble out the wrong answer above)
Movement of air = sinking or rising
(scribble out the wrong answer above)
Kind of weather associated with a HIGH pressure center = ____________
85. Word Association with a LOW pressure center.
Letter = _______
Color = ___________
Another name = _______________________
Winds flow = ____________________ into or out of a LOW pressure center.
(scribble out the wrong answer above)
Movement of air = sinking or rising
(scribble out the wrong answer above)
Kind of weather associated with a LOW pressure center = ____________
B. Pressure Gradient
86. What is “pressure gradient”? _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
87. A pressure gradient force causes the air to move from a __________
pressure center to a ____________ pressure center.
C. Coriolis Force
88. The winds deflect or curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere due
to the ______________________ _________________.
89. This force increases as the winds become _______________ and as you get
closer to the earth’s _____________.
Geostrophic Winds
90. Winds that flow parallel to the isobars because of the balance between
the pressure gradient force and the coriolis force are called _______________
winds.
Draw a simple diagram of this type of wind.
Name ____________________________Date_______________Hour_______
Earth Science: WW2010 University of Illinois – Packet 3
To start each module always log on to:
ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/home.rxml
After logging on to the site above, click on the “Air Masses and Fronts” module.
You will have 2 days of lab time to answer questions 91-111. MAKE GOOD USE
OF YOUR TIME! The answers are in order. Click on either one of these
arrows at the bottom of the page to go to the next page.
Once you have completed questions 91-111 you can work on the extra credit module
“Light and Optics”.
IV. Air Masses and Fronts
A. Air Masses
91. What is an air mass? ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
92. Give an example of two air masses that affect our weather in the United
States. (include there names, symbol, where they originated from, what are
their characteristics, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
93. A cold air mass moving south out of Canada would have cold, dry, dense
air creating a pressure center called an ____________ ____________.
94. Contrast, or explain how the maritime Tropical (mT) air mass is
different than the continental Polar (cP) air mass.(use terms like temperature,
moisture, etc)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
B. Fronts
95. Name the 4 common fronts and a brief description.
A. ______________ B. ______________ C. ______________ D. ______________ 96. Discuss a stationary front. (include symbol, what kind of weather is
associated with it, commonly observed things, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Draw the symbol to the right ------>
97. Discuss a cold front. (include symbol, what kind of weather is
associated with it, commonly observed things, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
98. Sometimes temperatures will change drastically from the northwest side
of the cold front to the southeast side of the cold front. What other 2
indicators can be used to identify the location of a cold front?
A. ______________________
B. ______________________
99. What is “dew point temperature”? __________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
100. Draw a diagram of a cyclone and cold front labeling the fronts and the
air masses.
View the animation of “Precipitation Along a Cold Front” with the table below for better
understanding of what happens as a Cold Front passes over you.
Common Characteristics Associated with a Cold Front
Before Passing
south-southwest
While Passing
gusty; shifting
After Passing
west-northwest
Temperature warm
sudden drop
steadily dropping
Pressure
minimum
rising steadily
Winds
falling steadily
Clouds
then sharp rise
increasing:Cirrus and
Cumulonimbus
Precipitation short period of
showers
Cumulonimbus
Cumulus
heavy rains sometimes with
heavy rains sometimes with
hail, thunder, and lightning
showers then clearing
Visibility
fair to poor in haze
poor followed by improving
good, except in showers
Dew Point
high; remains steady
sharp drop
lowering
101. Discuss a warm front. (include symbol, what kind of weather is
associated with it, commonly observed things, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Common Characteristics Associated with a Warm Front
Winds
Before Passing
south-southeast
While Passing
variable
After Passing
south-southwest
Temperature cool-cold, slow warming steady rise
warmer then steady
Pressure
usually falling
minimum then sharp rise
slight rise, followed by fall
Clouds
in this order: Ci, Cs,
As, Ns, St, and Fog
stratus-type
clearing with scattered
Stratocumulus
Precipitation light to moderate rain
snow, sleet, or drizzle
drizzle or none
usually none, sometimes
light rain or showers
Visibility
poor
poor but improving
fair in haze
Dew Point
steady rise
steady
rise then steady
102. Again, like a cold front, what are 2 other indicators other than temperature that
signal the passing of warm front?
A. ____________________
B. ____________________
View the animation of “Precipitation Along a Warm Front” with the table above for
better understanding of what happens as a Warm Front passes over you.
Go back to the home site and click on “Weather Forecasting”
V. Weather Forecasting
A. Methods
103. What is the “Persistence Method” of forecasting? _______________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
104. When and where does the Persistence Method work well? ________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
105. What is the “Trends Method” of forecasting? ___________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
106. When and where does the Trends Method work well? ____________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
107. What is the “Analog Method” of forecasting? __________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
108. Which method uses computers to forecast the weather? ___________
B. Surface Features
109. Look just under the title of each of the following and give the short
description written there.
A. Anticyclones - ____________________________________________
B. Cyclones - _______________________________________________
C. Cold Fronts - _____________________________________________
D. Warm Fronts - ____________________________________________
E. Stationary Fronts - _______________________________________
F. Occluded Fronts - _________________________________________
C. Temperatures
110. Give the forecast tips for temperature:
1. Cloud Cover
Daytime - _________________________________________________
Nighttime - ________________________________________________
2. High and Low Pressure Centers
Forecast Tip 1 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Forecast Tip 2 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. Effects of Temperature Advection
Forecast Tip 1 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. Effects of Snow Cover
Forecast Tip 1 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5. Effects of Wind
Forecast Tip 1 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
D. Precipitation
111. Give the forecast tips for precipitation:
1. Effects of Frontal Lifting
Forecast Tip 1 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. Effects of Moisture
112. The availability of moisture is indicated on a surface map
through __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ temperatures.
3. Rain or Snow?
Forecast Tip 1 - ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Do Section 24.1, 24.2, and 24.3 Worksheets. Plus the review questions on pages 483,
488, and 493 in your textbook. Use the space below to answer the questions. Be
sure to write out the questions or include the question in your answer.
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Do Section 23.1, 23.2, and 23.3 Worksheets. Plus the review questions on pages 462,
468, and 473 in your textbook. Use the space below to answer the questions. Be
sure to write out the questions or include the question in your answer.
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Do Section 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, and 25.4 Worksheets. Plus the review questions on pages
501, 508, 511, and 517 in your textbook. Use the space below to answer the
questions. Be sure to write out the questions or include the question in your answer.
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