Download Weather Conditions and Systems Notes

Weather Conditions & Systems Notes
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Weather is a condition of Earth’s atmosphere at any time.
The interactions between air masses, fronts, and pressure systems result in various weather conditions.
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AIR MASSES
Huge bodies of air that are formed over water or land in tropical or polar regions.
Temperature and humidity within the air masses is important to the weather conditions that develop.
FRONTS
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As air masses move and collide they form fronts between them.
WARM FRONTS
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Warm air mass collides and moves over a slowly moving cold air mass.
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Long periods of precipitation and warmer temperatures.
COLD FRONTS
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Cold air mass slides under warm air.
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May produce thunderstorms, tornadoes, and cooler temperatures.
STATIONARY FRONTS
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A cold air mass and a warm air mass do not move at a front.
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Produces long periods of precipitation.
OCCLUDED FRONTS
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A warm air mass is caught between two cold air masses.
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Causes clouds, rain and snow.
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HIGH/LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS
Caused by warm air rising or cold air sinking combined with the spinning of the Earth.
Air moves out from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
High Pressure Systems: signal fair weather with winds circulating around the system clockwise.
Low Pressure Systems: signal rain and stormy weather with winds circulating counter-clockwise
STORMS
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Occur when pressure differences cause rapid air movement causing severe weather conditions.
THUNDERSTORMS
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Storm with lightning, thunder, heavy rains, and strong wind that form within large cumulonimbus clouds.
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Usually form along a cold front.
TORNADO
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Rapidly, whirling funnel-shaped clouds that reach down from a storm cloud.
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Very low pressure and strong winds can cause great damage.
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Likely to form within the frontal regions where strong thunderstorms are also present.
HURRICANE
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Winds form a spinning circular pattern around the center (eye).
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The lower the air pressure at the center, the faster the winds blow.
Other Weather Conditions
Include:
 fair weather
 showers or light rain
 humid conditions
 clear skies with cold conditions
 days of clouds and precipitation
Weather Conditions & Systems Notes


Weather is a condition of Earth’s atmosphere at any time.
The interactions between air masses, fronts, and pressure systems result in various weather conditions.


AIR MASSES
Huge bodies of air that are formed over water or land in tropical or polar regions.
Temperature and humidity within the air masses is important to the weather conditions that develop.
FRONTS

As air masses move and collide they form fronts between them.
WARM FRONTS

Warm air mass collides and moves over a slowly moving cold air mass.

Long periods of precipitation and warmer temperatures.
COLD FRONTS

Cold air mass slides under warm air.

May produce thunderstorms, tornadoes, and cooler temperatures.
STATIONARY FRONTS

A cold air mass and a warm air mass do not move at a front.

Produces long periods of precipitation.
OCCLUDED FRONTS

A warm air mass is caught between two cold air masses.

Causes clouds, rain and snow.




HIGH/LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS
Caused by warm air rising or cold air sinking combined with the spinning of the Earth.
Air moves out from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
High Pressure Systems: signal fair weather with winds circulating around the system clockwise.
Low Pressure Systems: signal rain and stormy weather with winds circulating counter-clockwise
STORMS

Occur when pressure differences cause rapid air movement causing severe weather conditions.
THUNDERSTORMS

Storm with lightning, thunder, heavy rains, and strong wind that form within large cumulonimbus clouds.

Usually form along a cold front.
TORNADO

Rapidly, whirling funnel-shaped clouds that reach down from a storm cloud.

Very low pressure and strong winds can cause great damage.

Likely to form within the frontal regions where strong thunderstorms are also present.
HURRICANE

Winds form a spinning circular pattern around the center (eye).

The lower the air pressure at the center, the faster the winds blow.
Other Weather Conditions
Include:
 fair weather
 showers or light rain
 humid conditions
 clear skies with cold conditions
 days of clouds and precipitation