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Chapter Menu
Lesson 1: Weather
Lesson 2: Weather Patterns
Lesson 3: Climate
Lesson 4: California Climate and
Local Weather Patterns
Click on a hyperlink to view the corresponding lesson.
11.1 Weather
weather
humidity
relative humidity
dew point
precipitation
water cycle
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors
• Weather is the atmospheric conditions and
short term changes of a certain area at a
certain time.
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors (cont.)
• Weather factors include:
– Air temperature
– Precipitation
– Barometric pressure
– Humidity
– Cloud cover
– Visibility
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors (cont.)
• Air temperature: the
measure of the average
kinetic energy of the air
molecules
• Air pressure: the measure
of pressure a column of air
exerts on the air below it
• Wind direction: the
direction from which the
wind is coming
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors (cont.)
• Humidity: the amount of water vapor per
volume of air
• Relative humidity: the amount of water
vapor present in the air compared to the
maximum amount it can hold at that
temperature
Humidity
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors (cont.)
• Dew point: the temperature at which air
becomes fully saturated with water vapor
• Cloud: water droplets or ice crystals
suspended in the atmosphere
• Fog: a cloud that forms close to the Earth’s
surface
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors (cont.)
Clouds
11.1 Weather
Weather Factors (cont.)
• Precipitation: water in its liquid or solid
state—such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail—
falling from the atmosphere
11.1 Weather
The Water Cycle
• The water cycle is the constant movement
of water between the hydrosphere and the
atmosphere.
• The hydrosphere: 96 % salt water in the
oceans; 4% fresh water in glaciers, polar
ice, lakes, rivers and ground
Water Cycle
The Water Cycle (cont.)
11.1 Weather
The Sun’s Energy
• Solar radiation causes water in the
hydrosphere to evaporate and enter
Earth’s atmosphere.
• As land and water are cooled, the water
vapor in the air condenses.
• Water droplets form clouds and
precipitation falls from the clouds back to
Earth’s surface.
11.1 Weather
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What is condensation?
A a process in which water
changes from a gas to
a liquid
B a process in which water
changes from a liquid to
a gas
C a process in which water
changes from a solid to
a liquid
D a process in which water
changes from a liquid to
a solid
B
A
B
C
D
A
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2.
3.
4.
11.1 Weather
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What is evaporation?
A a process in which water
changes from a gas to
a liquid
B a process in which water
changes from a liquid to
a gas
C a process in which water
changes from a solid to
a liquid
D a process in which water
changes from a liquid to
a solid
B
A
B
C
D
A
1.
2.
3.
4.
11.1 Weather
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What is relative humidity?
A the temperature at which air
becomes fully saturated with
water vapor and condensation
forms
B the amount water vapor the
air in relation to the maximum
amount it can hold at that
temperature before becoming
saturated
C the amount of water vapor
per volume of air
D the minimum amount of water
vapor the air can hold at that
temperature before becoming
saturated
B
A
B
C
D
A
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2.
3.
4.
11.2 Weather Patterns
air mass
cold front
warm front
season
drought
flash flood
11.2 Weather Patterns
Air Masses
• An air mass is a
body of air that
has consistent
weather features.
• Air masses get their
characteristics from
the surface over
which they develop.
11.2 Weather Patterns
Weather Fronts
• A front is a boundary between two air
masses of different density, moisture, and
temperature.
– A cold front occurs when colder air
moves toward warmer air.
– A warm front forms when lighter, warmer
air moves over heavier, colder air.
11.2 Weather Patterns
Weather Fronts (cont.)
Cold Front
Warm Front
Weather Fronts (cont.)
11.2 Weather Patterns
Highs and Lows
• An area of low pressure is created when
warm air rises causing a decrease in
pressure close to the Earth’s surface.
– Often associated with cloudy,
stormy weather
• An area of high pressure is created when
cold air sinks causing pressure to increase
as more air moves down.
– Often associated with fair weather
11.2 Weather Patterns
Weather Maps
• Weather maps
provide information
on the atmospheric
conditions over an
area of interest.
How do
meteorologists
predict the weather?
11.2 Weather Patterns
Cycles that Affect Weather
• Day and night cycles
– Air goes through a daily cycle of warming
and cooling.
• Seasons are the regular changes in
temperature and
length of day that
result from the tilt
of Earth’s axis.
11.2 Weather Patterns
Cycles that Affect Weather (cont.)
• El Niño
– Sea surface temperatures in the eastern
equatorial Pacific are warmer than normal
• La Niña
– Sea surface temperatures in the eastern
equatorial Pacific are colder than normal
11.2 Weather Patterns
Cycles that Affect Weather (cont.)
11.2 Weather Patterns
Severe Weather
• Drought
– A period of time when precipitation is
much lower than normal or absent all
together
– Can cause problems, such as famine
and economic depression
11.2 Weather Patterns
Severe Weather (cont.)
• Floods occur when water enters an area
faster than it can be taken away, absorbed,
or contained.
– A flash flood is a flood that takes place
suddenly.
– Floods are the leading cause of weather
related deaths in the United States.
11.2 Weather Patterns
Severe Weather (cont.)
11.2 Weather Patterns
What would be the characteristics
of an air mass that forms over the
Gulf of Mexico?
A cold and dry
B warm and dry
C warm and humid
D cold and humid
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C
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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2.
3.
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11.2 Weather Patterns
Which weather scenario is most
likely associated with a cold front?
A clear sky and
cold weather
B clear sky and
warm weather
C cloudy sky and
dry weather
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D
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C
D cloudy sky and
rainy weather
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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11.2 Weather Patterns
Which of the following is the main
reason we have seasons on Earth?
A Earth’s tilt on its axis
B Sun’s power
fluctuates annually
C Earth’s spherical
shape
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D Earth’s speed
of revolution
B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
4.
11.3 Climate
climate
mediterranean climate
highland climate
11.3 Climate
What is climate?
• Climate is the long-term average of the
weather patterns of an area.
• Earth is classified into climate regions based
on temperature, precipitation, and vegetation.
What is climate? (cont.)
11.3 Climate
California Climate
• Most of California has either a mediterranean
or highland climate.
– Mediterranean climates are
characterized by mild, wet winters
and hot, dry summers.
– Highland climates are characterized by
cool-to-cold temperatures and are found in
the mountains and on high plateaus.
11.3 Climate
Climate Controls
• Air and ocean currents influence the
different climate regions.
• Other factors include:
– Distribution of land and water
– Presence or absence of mountain barriers
– Altitude
– Latitude
11.3 Climate
Climate Controls (cont.)
11.3 Climate
Land and Water
• Land surfaces heat and cool rapidly whereas
ocean surfaces heat and cool slowly.
The average
daytime
temperature
increases as
you move
away from
coastal areas.
11.3 Climate
Ocean Currents
• Ocean currents help to redistribute heat
from Sun’s energy on Earth.
– The Gulf Stream moves warm water away
from the equator and carries the heat to
higher latitudes.
– The cold California Current carries cold
water off the California coast.
Ocean Currents
11.3 Climate
Prevailing Winds
• A prevailing wind is a wind that blows most
often across a particular area.
11.3 Climate
What are the characteristics of a
mediterranean climate?
A mild, wet winters and
hot, dry summers
B cold, dry winters and
hot, wet summers
C mild, dry winters and
hot, wet summers
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D
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C
D mild, wet winters and
cool, dry summers
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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11.3 Climate
D
C
Why do oceans affect the climate of an area?
A more solar energy is
absorbed by oceans
than by land
B land surfaces heat up
and cool slower than
ocean surfaces
C ocean surfaces heat up
and cool slower than
land surfaces
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D land surfaces help to
redistribute heat and
oceans do not
B
A
B
C
D
A
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11.3 Climate
Of the following, would you
expect to find the lowest
afternoon temperature in July?
A Bakersfield
B Death Valley
C Santa Barbara
D Palm Springs
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D
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
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11.4 California Climate and
Local Weather Patterns
rain shadow
mountain breeze
sea breeze
Santa Ana wind
land breeze
valley breeze
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
California Climates
• The climate of California is influenced by:
– Pacific Ocean
– Sierra Nevada Mountains
– Prevailing westerly winds
• Highland climates are found locations at
high elevation.
• Locations that are at lower elevations
generally have a mediterranean climate.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
Seasonal Changes in California
• California has mild, wet winters and dry,
warm summers.
– California’s rainy season is typically
from November to March.
– California’s dry season is also referred
to as fire season.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
California’s Fog Belts
• During summer, warm air masses position
offshore.
• The westerlies transport air and moisture
toward the California coast.
• When the air mass travels over the cold
water of the California Current, the
temperature cools to the dew point and
moisture condenses to form coastal fog.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
California’s Rain Shadows
• A rain shadow is an area of low rainfall
on the downwind slope of a mountain.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
Sea Breezes
• A sea breeze is a wind blowing from the
sea to the land and generally occurs
during the daytime.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
Land Breezes
• A land breeze is a wind that blows from
the land to the sea and usually occurs
at nighttime.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
Valley Breezes
• Valley breezes are winds that blow
upward from the valley along the mountain
slopes during the day.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
Mountain Breezes
• Mountain breezes flow downward from
mountains, usually at night, in wide
valleys that were exposed to the sun
during the day.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
Santa Ana Winds
• Santa Ana winds
are winds, in
southern California,
that are hot and dry
and blow from the
east or northeast
toward the coast.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
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What is a rain shadow?
A an area of high rainfall
on the downwind slope
of a mountain
B an area of low rainfall
on the upwind slope
of a mountain
C an area of high rainfall
on the upwind slope of
a mountain
D an area of low rainfall on
the downwind slope of
a mountain
B
A
B
C
D
A
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2.
3.
4.
11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
In what season do fog belts occur
the most?
A spring
B summer
C fall
D winter
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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11.4 California Climate and Local
Weather Patterns
A land breeze is a _____.
A wind that blows from
the sea to the land
B wind that blows from
the land to the sea
C wind that blows
parallel to the coast
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D
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C
D wind that blows up
a valley
B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
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Chapter Resources Menu
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Image Bank
Science Online
Interactive Table
Virtual Lab
BrainPOP
Click on a hyperlink to view the corresponding feature.
Which of the following is defined as
the amount of water vapor per
volume of air?
A humidity
B relative humidity
C dew point
D temperature
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D
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C
0%
B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
4.
Seasons are the result of _____.
A Earth’s daily revolution
B fluctuations in the
Sun’s output
C the tilt of the Earth’s
axis
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D
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C
D Earth’s path around
the sun
B
A
B
C
D
A
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are the characteristics of a highland
climate?
A cool-to-cold temperatures;
occurs in the valleys
B warm temperatures;
occurs in the mountains
C warm temperatures;
occurs in the valleys
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D
0%
C
D cool-to-cold temperatures;
occurs in the mountains
B
A
B
C
D
A
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4.
The _____ are sometimes fiercely
hot and gusty winds that usually
blow from the mountain passes and
canyons of southern California.
A Santa Ana winds
B Mono wind
C sea breezes
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D
0%
C
D valley breezes
B
A
B
C
D
A
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4.
Which of the following statements is true?
A Cold air can hold more
moisture than warm air.
B Condensation forms
when the air temperature
reaches the dew point.
C Relative humidity is the
amount of kinetic energy
in the air.
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D
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C
D Air becomes fully
saturated with water vapor
at the relative humidity.
B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
4.
SCI 4.e
Which best describes precipitation
that freezes to form small ice pellets
close to Earth’s surface?
A rain
B sleet
C hail
D snow
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D
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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SCI 2.d
What is the leading cause of weather
related deaths in the United States?
A landslides
B tornadoes
C flash floods
D lightning
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D
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B
A
B
C
D
A
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SCI 4.d
What are El Niño’s affects on
California weather?
A drier than normal
weather
B wetter than normal
weather
C colder than normal
weather
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D
0%
C
D warmer than normal
weather
0%
B
A
B
C
D
A
1.
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3.
4.
SCI 4.e
Which of the following has the
greatest effect on California’s
climate?
A Gulf Stream
B Polar Jet Stream
C Alaska Current
D California Current
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D
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C
0%
B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
4.
SCI 4.e
Which type of wind results from the
land being heated during the day?
A sea breeze
B land breeze
C Santa Ana
D valley breeze
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D
0%
C
0%
B
A
B
C
D
A
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3.
4.
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Image Bank
Interactive Table
Interactive Table (cont.)