Download Wind and Weather

Wind and Weather Notes – Part 1
WIND
Why is Wind Important?
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Because wind systems determine major ___________________________
on Earth.
Wind also helps determine where _______________ and
_______________ travel most ____________________.
How Wind Moves #1: Convection Currents
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______________________________of Earth by the Sun causes some
areas to be ______________ than others
Warm air rises = molecules ________________________; is _________
dense; has ______________ pressure
Cold air sinks = molecules __________________ together; is __________
dense; has ______________ pressure
Cooler air _________________ the warmer air causing
_____________________________________ (remember the lava lamp!)
How Wind Moves #2: Coriolis Effect
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The winds _______________ because of Earth’s _______________ on its
_______________
_______________ near the _______________ rises & moves toward
poles
_______________ near the _______________ falls & moves toward
equator
Their paths are curved because of the _____________________________
– Northern Hemisphere = curves _______________
– Southern Hemisphere = curves _______________
Global / Prevailing Winds
Westerlies:
• Found between ________________north & south latitudes
• Blow from the __________ (from the west to east)
• Move weather systems in the US from _______________________
Doldrums:
• Nearly _________________, ________________ zone found along
___________________
Trade Winds:
• Air sinking near _________ north & south latitudes
• Creates ___________________ that blows from the __________
• Called trade winds because early sailors used their dependability to
establish _______________________
Polar Easterlies:
• Found _________________________
• Blow from the __________ (from the east to west)
Jet Streams:
• Narrow belts of strong winds in the __________________________
• In US moves from _________________ to _________________
• Planes = if flying _________________, pilots use jet stream to save
______________________; if flying _________________, pilots fly
at different altitudes to ______________________________
60o
30o
0o
30o
60o
WEATHER = Condition of atmosphere at a specific
_______________ and _______________
• Occurs as result of Sun’s ____________________ and Earth’s
__________ and _____________ interacting
Weather Factors:
o ______________________________
o ______________________________
o ______________________________
Air Temperature:
• Measure of average amount of _______________ of
______________
• Low Temperature = ______________________________________
• High Temperature = _____________________________________
Wind:
• Wind is caused by ______________ put into motion by the
______________ from the ______________
• Warm air = ______________ dense & ______________ pressure
(RISES)
• Cold air = ______________ dense & ______________ pressure
(SINKS)
• Wind results because HIGH pressure air (_________________)
moves toward LOW pressure air (_________________) and
replaces it (the __________ air moves up and the __________ air
takes its place)
• __________ moves _______________ systems around Earth.
Humidity:
• Amount of ______________________________________________
• As temperature _______________, the amount of water vapor it
can hold _______________
• Warm air = _____________________________________________
• Cool air = _______________________________________________
Wind and Weather Notes – Part 2
Weather Patterns
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Air masses, pressure systems, and fronts cause
______________________________
Air Masses =
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Large ____________________________________________
Its properties are similar to part of Earth where it ________
Air mass developed over land = __________
Air mass developed over water = __________
Air mass developed in tropics = __________
Air mass developed in poles = __________
Cool / Moist Air Mass =_______________________________
Cold / Dry Air Mass =________________________________
Warm/ Moist Air Mass =______________________________
Hot / Dry Air Mass =_________________________________
Pressure Systems =
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Measured with a ____________________________
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Low pressure system =
o Areas of rising air (aka - _______________ = less dense)
o Usually ________________________________________
High pressure system =
o Areas of sinking air (aka - _______________ = more dense)
o Usually ________________________________________
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Fronts =
Naming Air Masses:
________________ = Forms Over Land (dry)
________________ = Forms Over Water (wet)
________________ = Forms Over Polar Areas (cold)
________________ = Forms Over Tropical Areas (Warm)
o A boundary between 2 air masses with different characteristics,
such as _______________, _______________, or
_______________
o At these boundaries you sometimes get cloudiness, precipitation,
or storms
o 3 types:
 ______________________________
 ______________________________
 ______________________________
Cold front =
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__________air advances toward __________ air
__________air is pushed up quickly by __________ air
If temperature difference is ___________, ____________________
(even _______________) can form
Draw Symbol for a Cold Front Below:
Warm front =
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__________ air advances toward __________ air
__________ air moves _________ & over ____________ front
Can lead to long periods of ______________________________
Draw Symbol for a Warm Front Below:
Stationary front =
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Neither __________ air or __________ air moves
Can lead to long periods of ____________________
Draw Symbol for a Stationary Front Below: