Download Investigating Weather Systems

Investigating Weather Systems
A Review
Developed by Carol Swink and Zebetta King with
modifications for student review
Weather Instruments
• Thermometers measure air
temperature.
• A barometer measures
air pressure.
• A psychrometer measures relative
humidity, using the cooling effect of
evaporation.
Weather Instruments
• An anemometer, like the one shown in the picture,
measures wind speed.
• Weather balloons measure
weather conditions higher
in the atmosphere.
• Meteorologist place all of their data that they collect on to
a weather map. By means of certain symbols, a single
weather map can indicate atmospheric conditions above a
large portion of the earth's surface.
Seasons Content Blast
• Earth is tilted about 23.5 degrees on its axisthis tilt is the cause of our seasons
• As the Earth orbits the Sun, different parts
of the planet are tilted toward the Sun.
Therefore, varying amounts of heat occur
around the world at different times of the
year.
Just for Fun!
For some reason, everyone but Lenore got the wrong
answer on the science test.
“Tell me,” the teacher asked her after returning the
papers, “how did you know that heat causes objects to
expand, and cold causes them to shrink?”
“ Because I’m no dope,” she said. “In the summer,
when it’s hot, the days are longer. And in the winter,
when it’s cold, they’re shorter.”
Jeff Rovin
Teachers Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes, p.217
Just Dew It! Content
• Dew point = moisture in the air
• Maximum amount of water vapor the air
can hold depends on the temperature of the
air (cool air cannot hold as much water
vapor as warm air)
• Most of the water in the atmosphere gets
there through evaporation
Just Dew It! Content
• When warm air with water vapor begins to cool,
the air begins to form droplets.
• When water droplets begin to form, the air is
known as “saturated.” The temperature when this
happens is called the dew point.
• Humid days = days air temperature and dew point
are close
• Why do you feel humid? Water vapor
surrounding us prevents perspiration from
evaporating easily
What is Convection?
"Convection" has several, related meanings in weather....but
it always involves rising air. It usually refers to "moist
convection", where the excess water vapor in rising air
parcels condenses to form a cloud. The heat released
through this condensation can help to sustain the
convection by warming the air further and making it rise
still higher, which causes more water vapor to condense,
so the process feeds on itself.
Step by Step CONVECTION
• Rising air
• Extra water vapor in the rising air condenses and
forms a cloud
• Heat is released through this condensation
• This heat warms the air further and makes the air
rise (warm air rises)
• When the air rises, more water vapor condenses
• The process continues…
The Water Cycle
Model the Water Cycle
• You can model the water cycle using a clear
rectangular container (the size of the Carolina
Land and Water tray is great).
• Put potting soil in half of the tray. Make sure the
soil is at least one fourth of the way up the side of
the tray.
• Place plastic wrap over the top of the container
(instead of the lid).
• Place a bag of ice over the land (on top of the
plastic wrap). Have students observe and record
data.
What Drives the Weather?
•
•
•
•
Heat of the sun
Latitude and insolation
General circulation of atmosphere
Warm winds spread excess heat toward
poles
• Cooler air returns
Cloud Types
Stratus Clouds
The word stratus
comes from the Latin
word that means "to
spread out." Stratus
clouds are horizontal,
layered clouds that
stretch out across the
sky like a blanket.
More on STRATUS Clouds
• Sometimes a layer of warm, moist air passes over
a layer of cool air. Stratus clouds often form at the
boundary where these layers meet.
• Where these two layers of air meet, the warm air
is cooled. If the warm air is cooled below its dew
point, the excess water vapor condenses to form
stratus clouds.
• Stratus clouds may extend for many kilometers
across the sky.
Cloud Types
Cumulus Cloud
•
.
The word cumulus comes from
the Latin word for a heap or a
pile. Cumulus clouds are puffy
in appearance. They look like
large cotton balls. Cumulus
clouds usually form when
warm, moist air is forced
upward. As this air rises, it is
cooled. If it is cooled below its
dew - point temperature,
condensation will occur.
More on CUMULUS Clouds
• Largest cumulus clouds formed by very
strong upward movements of warm, moist
air
• The size of cumulus clouds depends on two
factors:
– Force of the upward air movement
– Amount of moisture in the air
Cloud Types
•
.
Cirrus Clouds
Cirrus clouds are a third
general type of cloud. The
word cirrus comes from the
Latin word for a tuft or curl
of hair. Cirrus clouds are very
wispy and feathery looking.
They form only at high
altitudes, about 7 km above
the earth's surface.
What is Climate?
•
•
Climate - overall weather of an area; determined
by temperature and rainfall
Koeppen Climate Classification is one of the
oldest and most often used climate classification
systems. Based on vegetative indicator species,
it is useful for gaining a mental map of the
global distribution of climatic events such as
temperature and precipitation.
What factors influence climate?
Six main factors control temperature and rainfall
1.
Latitude
Higher latitude = lower average temperature and larger annual temperature
ranges
2.
3.
Altitude- temperature decreases with altitude
Land and sea
Continental climates = large yearly temperature ranges (interior of
continents)
Maritime climates = small yearly temperature ranges
4.
Prevailing Winds
Prevailing westerlies, west coast have cool summers/mild winters and east coasts
have hot summers/cold winters
5.
Topography
Mountains block winds
6.
Ocean currents
Warm currents bring warm temperatures while cold currents bring cold
temperatures
• What will greatly influence the temperature
from any location when striking the Earth’s
surface?
• Sunlight
• What source of energy drives
all weather?
• The Sun
• Seasonal differences on Earth
result from differences in the
amount of the Sun’s energy
that hits Earth’s surface. Why
does this occur?
• Because of the tilt of the
Earth as it revolves around
the Sun.
• What do measurements of
local weather conditions
indicate?
• These measurements indicate
relationships and predictable
patterns.
• What is the relationship
between air temperature and
elevation?
• Air temperature decreases as
elevation increases.
• What is wind?
• Wind is moving air that results from the
uneven heating of the Earth’s surface and
differences in air pressure.
• Which are components of weather that
interact in weather systems and are
interconnected both locally and globally?
• A. the Sun’s energy
• B. proximity to water
• C. elevation
• D. air pressure
• All of the above
Weather Resources
•
Weather WebQuest
Fifth grade students' science curriculum
includes a goal that states "the learner
will build an understanding of weather
and climate". This is a comprehensive
webquest designed to be used over a
period of days or teachers may choose to
focus on only one area.
http://www.davidson.k12.nc.us/webquests/weather/weather.htm
Internet Weather Resources
Information Please Weather Page http://www.infoplease.com/weather.html
• Explore weather disasters, climate, weather extremes, meteorology and
measurement, weather and environment.
Intellicast http://www.intellicast.com/
• The intellicast website contains weather forecasts and satellite images.
• Within the Intellicast site:
• 2) Weather 101 http://www.intellicast.com/DrDewpoint/wx101/
• 3) Weather Q & A http://www.intellicast.com/DrDewpoint/Q_A/.
Meteorology Guide
• http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/home.rxml
• This guide from the University of Illinois provides links to excellent resources
for both students and teachers. Topics include light and optics, clouds and
precipitation, forces and winds, air masses and fronts, weather forecasting,
severe storms, hurricanes, el nino, and hydrologic cycle.
Internet Weather Resources
National Weather Service http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
• This site links to regions information for the United States as well as International
resources. You'll also find specialized centers for particular weather topics.
• Related Websites:
• 2) NOAA Central Library http://www.lib.noaa.gov/docs/education.html
• 3) NOAA Photo Library http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/
Scholastic - Research Tools - Weather
http://teacher.scholastic.com/researchtools/articlearchives/weather/index.htm
• Explore a dozen articles on topics related to weather.
• Within the website:
• 2) Weather Prediction
http://teacher.scholastic.com/researchtools/articlearchives/weather/predict.htm
SERCC http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sercc/education.html
• Explore weather resources for all grades. Specific resources are focused on
intermediate grades.
• Within the website:
Internet Weather Resources
Creative Climates
• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/familyxpeditions/activities/15/15.html
• Explore the climates of the world. This website has information and activities for
different grade levels related to the different climate regions.
• Other Climate Websites:
• 2) Climatic Extremes and Weather Events
Weather: What Forces Affect Our Weather? http://www.learner.org/exhibits/weather/
• Explore this Annenburg sponsored project on weather including the atmosphere,
the water cycle, powerful storms, ice and water, forecasting, our changing
climate, and related resources.
Weather World http://www.ems.psu.edu/WeatherWorld/
• Explore world weather information and weather features, weather people,
educational materials, kid's resources, and other information.