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Weather What do we know about weather? How do people measure and predict the weather? Meteorologist • A scientist who studies the weather • What kind of tools do they use? Thermometer • Used to measure temperature • measures the kinetic energy of air molecules • Fahrenheit & Celsius thermometers Anemometer • Measures wind speed • a system of gears converts the number of turns per minute into wind speed Hygrometer • Measures humidity • the moisture in the air Weather Vane • Measures wind direction • changes in wind usually lead to change in weather Barometer • • • • Measures air pressure high pressure = clear cool skies low pressure = cloudy skies, moist air extreme low pressure = stormy weather Cloud Conditions • Observing clouds can tell a lot about the weather Cumulus • White & puffy • fair weather Cirrus • • • • High in the sky white thin & wispy fair weather Stratus • Low in the sky • thick & gray • usually bring rain Cumulonimbus • • • • Tower high into the sky gray to black Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes anvil shaped How can rising air pressure lead to a prediction about weather? Air Mass • A large body of air that has the same temperature and humidity throughout • take on the characteristics of the region over which they form • 4 types in the the USA Air Masses – Categorized by moisture content and temperature – Moisture categories: m = maritime (wet) and c = continental (dry) – Temperature categories: P (polar; cold), T (Tropical; warm) Continental Polar • Cool dry weather Continental Tropical • Hot dry weather Maritime polar • Cool humid weather Maritime Tropical • Warm wet weather Front • Border where two air masses meet • most weather changes occur along a front • cold front = cold air mass moves under a warm air mass creating cumulonimbus clouds • warm front = a warm air mass moves over a cold air mass forming stratus clouds What kind of air mass causes hot humid weather? Climate • The regular weather pattern for a region • precipitation & temperature determine climate • seasonal patterns • all patterns are driven by the sun • proximity to the equator determines temperature patterns ????? • What is the cause of the seasons? • What are two major factors of climate? • What kind of climate would you find near the equator? • What kind of climate would you find at the poles?