Download weather terms - Stafford County Public Schools

Study Guide
Weather (SOL 4.6)
Grade 4
Created by Jennie M. Carr – Rockingham County Public Schools – 2010 Revised by J. Segerson and J. Copeland – Loudoun County
Public Schools - 2010
WEATHER TERMS
Weather Tools
Temperature - The measure of the amount of heat energy in
the atmosphere. It is measured in degrees Celsius or
Fahrenheit
Thermometer measures Temperature
Barometer measures Air Pressure
Air Pressure - The weight of the air, which is determined by
several factors including the temperature. Low pressure
signals stormy weather
Anemometer measures Wind Speed
Rain Gauge measures Precipitation
Wind: the movement of air. Wind Speed is how fast the wind
is blowing. It is measured in miles per hour. Air moves from an
area of HIGH pressure to an area of LOW pressure
Wind Vane measures Wind Direction
Hygrometer measures Humidity
Precipitation - The amount of water, which falls from the sky.
Can be in the form of snow, sleet, hail or rain. Collects in
clouds
Humidity – The amount of moisture or water vapor in the air.
HIGH humidity means a greater chance of precipitation
Low Pressure: usually brings clouds, rain, and wind;
formed when air is warmed.
High Pressure: usually brings dry, clear conditions;
formed when air is cooled.
CIRRUS
BE ABLE to identify and explain
the steps of the Water Cycle
CUMULONIMBUS
.
•Most common high
cloud.
•Thin, feathery , wispy clouds
•Associated with fair weather
•Dark, tall, billowing cloud that
produces rain and
thunderstorms.
Four Cloud Types
STRATUS
• Gray, smooth cloud, sheetlike
• Covers whole sky blocks all
sunlight.
•Light rain or drizzle usually
occur.
•FOG is example
CUMULUS
•White, fluffy cloud, cottonball
• Flat bottom that rises up.
•Usually indicating fair
weather.
Study Guide
Weather (SOL 4.6)
Grade 4
Created by Jennie M. Carr – Rockingham County Public Schools – 2010 Revised by J. Segerson and J. Copeland – Loudoun County
Public Schools - 2010
WEATHER TERMS
Weather Tools
Temperature - The measure of the amount of heat energy in
the atmosphere.
Thermometer measures Temperature
Barometer measures Air Pressure
Air Pressure - The weight of the air, which is determined by
several factors including the temperature.
Anemometer measures Wind Speed
Rain Gauge measures Precipitation
Wind Speed – How fast the wind is blowing.
Precipitation - The amount of water, which falls from the sky.
Wind Vane measures Wind Direction
Hygrometer measures Humidity
Wind Direction - The direction in which the wind blows.
F
R
O
N
T
Humidity – The amount of moisture in the air.
Air Mass
A meteorologist uses
weather instruments and
data to predict weather
patterns.
A front is a boundary between air masses of different
temperature and humidity.
A cold front is formed when a cold air mass pushes
into a warm air mass; may produce thunderstorms.
A warm front is formed when a warm air mass pushes
into a cold air mass; may produce light rain.
Different atmospheric conditions produce
the four types of precipitation: rain, snow,
sleet, and hail.
CIRRUS
A feathery cloud, usually
associated with fair weather,
but often indicates rain or
snowfall in several hours.
Air Mass
Low Pressure: usually brings clouds, rain, and wind;
formed when air is warmed.
High Pressure: usually brings dry, clear conditions;
formed when air is cooled.
CUMULONIMBUS
Four Cloud Types
A dark, tall, billowing cloud
that produces rain and
thunderstorms.
STRATUS
CUMULUS
A gray, smooth cloud that
covers the whole sky and
blocks all sunlight. Light rain
and drizzle usually occur.
A white, fluffy cloud with a flat
bottom usually indicating fair
weather.
EXTREME atmospheric conditions create a variety of storms:
Thunderstorm:
Hurricane:
Tornado:
A common storm with winds,
rain, thunder, and lightning.
A storm which forms over
water with heavy winds.
A violent storm with a
rotating column of air.