Download Weather Vocabulary

WEATHER
Weather:
The state of the atmosphere
at a place and time as regards
heat, dryness (or
humidity)sunshine, wind, rain,
etc.
Climate:
The pattern of weather an
area experiences over a long
time.
Atmosphere:
Layers of gases, dust, water,
and other small particles that
surround Earth
Troposphere:
The layer closest to Earth’s
surface. Most of the earth’s
weather happens here!
Pressure:
The ratio of the force over an
area (The force spread over an
area).
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Air Pressure:
The weight (or force) of the
atmosphere pressing down on
Earth
Cold Front:
High pressure cold air
that meets low pressure hot
air and takes over.
Warm Front:
Low pressure hot air
that meets high pressure
cold air and takes over.
Animation of Fronts
Barometer:
An instrument that
measures the atmospheric
pressure, used to determine
weather
Uneven Heating:
Process by which the energy
from the sun is absorbed into
the earth.
Local Winds:
A wind that results from a
local difference in temperature.
Global Winds:
Winds that occur due to the
rotation of the earth and the
differences in temperature
between the equator and the
poles.
Prevailing Winds:
Global winds that always
blow from the same direction.
Caused by rotation of the earth
and uneven heating.
Time to make an Inference…
What causes wind? What are the different types of
wind and where would you find them? Why?
What are some predictions you could make about the
weather where those winds meet? Why?
What kind of storms might you guess would occur
and where? Why?
Hint: What temperatures will the winds from the
pole be? Will the winds from the equator be cold or
warm? What about air pressure?… use Fronts in your
answer and be descriptive!
Convection Currents
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Water Cycle:
The process by which Earth’s
water moves between Earth’s surface
and atmosphere in a constant cycle.
Evaporation:
Liquid water changes to a gas due
to heat from the sun.
Condensation:
When gas water in the air cools, it
changes into a liquid.
Accumulation:
Water stays in one place,
accumulating (growing in quantity)
either in lakes or in clouds!
Precipitation:
Water that falls from the
atmosphere to the Earth’s surface.
Transpiration:
How water leaves pores
of plants or animals as a
vapor
Perspiration:
How water leaves pores of
animals as a liquid
Respiration:
How water leaves animals
through breathing as a
vapor
Humidity:
The amount of water
vapor in the air.
Cirrus Clouds form high in the
atmosphere – made up of
mostly ice crystals.
Cumulus Clouds are puffy and
indicate fair weather, but can
produce rain if they continue to
grow.
Stratus Clouds form low in the
atmosphere and produce light
rain and snowfall.
Cumulonimbus Clouds are
storm/weather clouds that
produce heavy precipitation
Types of Clouds
Prefixes: alto, strato, nimbo
Noctilucent clouds occur in the
upper mesosphere, about 80km
altitude! They can only be seen
after sunset and before sunrise
for a brief moment.
Nacreous clouds are normally
too thin to be visablefrom the
ground. They may go into the
stratosphere! Thunderstorms
can cause them.
TYPES OF PRECIPITATION
Fog: water vapor that
condenses into small droplets
low in the atmosphere.
Rain: water vapor that
condenses in small droplets
that accumulate until they
are too heavy to stay in the
atmosphere.
Snow: water vapor that turns
directly into ice crystals.
Sleet and Hail: water vapor
that condenses in small
droplets then passes through
air cold enough to freeze
them.
Analyzing Weather Data
Stormy Weather