Download weather test study guide

WEATHER TEST STUDY GUIDE
Completing this study guide is optional! This will not be taken up or used for a grade. This is
designed to provide extra practice in helping to prepare for the test on February 16.
1. For each cloud type, describe what the cloud looks like, where it is located in the sky, and
what type of weather it typically brings.
 Stratus – covers the sky like a blanket; low in the sky; brings light rain or snow

Cumulus – puffy, cotton ball; middle of the sky; brings fair weather

Cirrus – thin, wispy; high in the sky; brings fair weather

Cumulonimbus – thick, dark; starts low and stretch high; brings heavy rain and
thunderstorms
2. What is temperature? How is it measured?
A measure of how hot or cold the air is; measured by thermometer
3. What is air pressure? How is it measured?
The weight of air/amount of force pushing down on an area; measured by
barometer
4. Why type of pressure does cold air have? In what direction does cold air move?
High; sinks
5. What type of pressure does warm air have? In what direction does warm air move?
Low; rises
6. Describe the weather for high pressure.
Fair – sunny, few clouds, little breeze
7. Describe the weather for low pressure.
Cloudy, precipitation, windy
8. What is humidity?
The amount of moisture in the air
9. What is dew point?
The temperature when the air cannot hold any more moisture, the
temperature when dew forms, when water vapor in the air changes to liquid
form
10. What happens when the dew point and temperature are closer?
The closer the dew point and temperature are, the more humid the air is.
11. How does the temperature of the air affect humidity?
Warm air tends to be more humid and cold air tends to be less humid
12. What is wind? How is wind speed measured? How is wind direction measured?
Wind is the movement of air. Wind speed is measure with an anemometer. Wind
direction is measured with a wind vane.
13. What causes wind?
Movement of air from high to low pressure
14. How does wind affect temperature?
Warm winds (from the south) increase temperature and cold winds (from the
north) decrease temperature
15. How does wind affect humidity?
Winds that blow over bodies of water pick up moisture and increase humidity
16. What is the difference between weather and climate?
Climate is the average/typical weather for a location calculated using many years of
weather data. Weather describes the current conditions of a location.
17. How does latitude affect temperature?
The closer to the equator – the hotter; the closer to the poles – the colder
18. How does elevation affect temperature?
The higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature. The lower the elevation, the
warmer the temperature.
19. Why do coastal locations tend to have milder temperatures than locations farther inland?
Coastal locations have a constant wind blowing because of the difference in
temperature between the land and water. The wind helps even out the temperature.
20. Explain the direction of the wind at the beach during the day and a night and why these
different winds occur.
During the day, the beach heats up hotter than the water. Therefore, the hot air
above the beach rises and the cooler air above the water sinks, creating a sea breeze.
At night, the beach cools down colder than the water. Therefore, the cooler air above
the beach sinks and the warmer air above the water rises, creating a land breeze.