Download Weather Study Guide

Science (Weather) Study Guide
Be able to define and explain the following terms:
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Condensation: When water changes from a gas to a liquid. When clouds form
Evaporation: when water turns into water vapor (changes from a liquid to a gas)
Climate: the weather over a long period of time
Weather (be able to give specific examples of weather): temperature
Water Cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, accumulation
Snow: water freezes up in the atmosphere and then falls as snow
Rain: liquid precipitation
Sleet: frozen rain
Hail: rain falls and gets blown back up in the atmosphere and refreezes
Be able to identify cloud types and the type of weather that each cloud brings.
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Cumulus: white and fluffy, bring fair weather
Stratus: flat and layered, bring rain
Cirrus: wispy, brings warm air
Nimbus: dark and grey, bring thunderstorms
Cumulonimbus: puffy and grey, bring thunderstorms
Describe and identify weather fronts (cold and warm) on a weather map and be able to tell what type
of weather each front brings.
Draw a cold front:
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What type of weather does a cold front bring? Cold weather
What direction will the weather move based on the direction of the front? The triangles point in
the direction that the front is moving
Draw a warm front:
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What type of weather does a warm front bring?
What direction will the weather move based on the direction of the front?
Draw a stationary front:
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What type of weather does a stationary front bring? Fair weather
What direction will the weather move based on the direction of the front? Not moving
What type of weather does an area of high pressure bring? How would high pressure be labeled on a
weather map?
Hot weather, fair weather (H)
What type of weather does an area of low pressure bring? How would low pressure be labeled on a
weather map?
Cold, rainy weather (L)
Draw, identify and explain what the following weather instruments measure:
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Anemometer- wind speed
Barometer- air pressure
Hygrometer- humidity (how much moisture is in the air)
Thermometer- temperature
Wind Vane- wind direction
Rain gauge-how much rain
What are the boiling and freezing points of water in both Celsius and Fahrenheit? What state of
matter is occurring at each of these temperatures?
Boiling point: 150 degrees Fahrenheit, 100 degrees Celsius
Freezing point: 32 degrees Fahrenheit, 0 degrees Celsius
What four things do scientists look at when determining and measuring weather? (pg. D66-67)
1. air temperature
2. humidity
3. wind
4. air pressure
Be able to identify and define the stages of the water cycle.
Draw and label each stage of the water cycle. Be sure to draw arrows showing which direction the
water is moving.
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What is condensation?
Evaporation?
Precipation?
Runoff? When it rains and flows down the Earth’s surface
What type of climate is near the equator? Hot
Near the North and South Poles? Cold, snowy
Temperate or tropical zones? warm and rainy
What data do scientists use when studying climate change over Earth’s history?
Temperature, rain,
What factors affect an area’s climate?
Where is it located in relation to the equator
Describe how wind moves. (D68-D69). Be able to draw a picture explaining this. Remember how cold
and warm air move.
Because of the uneven heat of the air
Warm air rises, cool air falls
Be able to read a weather map.