Download Predicting the Weather

Predicting
the
Weather
Weather Forecasting
• A weather forecast is a prediction of the weather.
• You use weather forecasts to decide what to wear
each day and what activities you can participate in.
• Scientists use tools to measure the current weather
to help make their predictions about future
weather.
Weather Maps
• Weather maps can show what the weather was like
in a place on a certain day.
• Scientists use data from weather stations all over
the world to create weather maps.
Weather Maps and Symbols
Click the link below to see an
explanation of weather maps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=9NZz-EeveJ8
Air Masses
• Weather maps show the movement of air masses. An air
mass is a large body of air with about the same
temperature and humidity throughout.
• There are 4 basic types:
– Cold and Dry
- Warm and Dry
– Cold and Humid
- Warm and Humid
Fronts
• Weather Maps also show fronts. A front is a
place where 2 different air masses meet.
Click below to learn
more about air
masses and fronts:
http://studyjams.scholasti
c.com/studyjams/jams/sci
ence/weather-andclimate/air-masses-andfronts.htm
Cold Front
• Cold air mass
bumps against
warm air mass
• Strong storms
happen here
(thunderstorms in
warm weather,
snowstorms in
winter)
• Causes
temperature in an
area to drop.
Warm Front
Stationary Front Occluded Front
• Warm air mass
• Forms when 2 air
• An occluded front
meets colder air
masses meet and
is a combination of
mass and rises over
stop moving
two fronts that
it
• Bring clouds and
form when a cold
• Stratus clouds form
precipitation
front catches up
which often bring
lasting longer
and overtakes a
rain
because air masses
warm front.
• Causes
are not moving
temperature in an
area to rise
Air Pressure
• Air pressure is measured with a barometer.
• Low air pressure usually brings rainy or stormy
weather.
• High air pressure usually brings fair weather.
Weather Patterns in the United States
• In the United States, weather usually moves from WEST to EAST.
• Rain forming over the Pacific Ocean moves east over California and
weather forming over the middle of the U.S. often moves towards
North Carolina and other eastern states within days.
WEST to EAST