Download WC Chapter 3 study guide SRC`12

Study Guide for Test on Chapter 3: Weather Patterns
Test on Friday, March 23, 2012 – Bring textbook to turn in on Friday, also.
Study Materials:
Chapter 3 of the text: Section 1 (Air Masses and Fronts), Section 2 (Storms), and Weather Maps on pages
102-104 in section 3-4
“Air Masses” and “Fronts” notes sheets
“Modeling a Front” lab
“Exploring a Weather Map” (to be returned) and the key to map symbols
“Quiz on Air Masses, Fronts, Cyclones, Anticyclones, and Weather Symbols”
“Hurricanes” notes sheet including comparisons of cyclones and anticyclones in table on the back
“Tracking a Hurricane” (to be returned)
“Pressure and Wind” lab (to be returned)
“Notes on Thunderstorms and Tornadoes” and “Comparison of Hurricanes and Tornadoes”
Study Topics: Section 3-1, Section 3-2, and Weather Maps on page 102 in section 3-4
• know the definition of an air mass, the characteristics of the main types of air masses, and how air masses
are named using combinations of the terms polar, tropical, continental, maritime and what those terms mean
• know which two types of air masses affect NJ’s weather the most
• know the definition of a front and why, how and where clouds form at fronts
• identify cold and warm fronts by definition or description and by picture, know the possible types of
weather changes with each, and know the symbol for each on a weather map and which way they move
• be able to read a weather station symbol (an example and key will be given so you will not have to
memorize any symbols) and list that site’s weather conditions, including the correct units that correspond to
each data set (example: atmospheric pressure is measured in millibars or mbar)
• know how a weather map can be used to show weather conditions and to help forecast weather
• know that wind tends to blow from high to low pressure, but is deflected by the Coriolis effect, and know
how pressure differences affect wind speed
• compare cyclones to anticyclones (CCW or CW rotation direction in each hemisphere, center of high or
low pressure, wind direction spirals inward towards center or outward away from center, rising or sinking
air, clouds or clear skies, whether they occur along fronts)
• compare mid-latitude cyclones and tropical cyclones (hurricanes) (where formed, fronts or eye, etc.)
• know the importance of warm, moist air to storms including hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornadoes
• know hurricanes form over warm water a few degrees from the equator and usually move toward the poles
from east to west in the trade wind zone then from west to east in the mid-latitude prevailing westerlies
• know the hazards from a hurricane and how conditions are different in the eye of the storm
• define storm surge and understand why it is so dangerous
• define lightning and thunder and describe how they happen
• understand law of charges (opposite charges ______________, while like charges ______________)
• know the weather conditions and times that are capable of creating thunderstorms and tornadoes
• know differences between a hurricane and a tornado (size, how and where it forms, how long it lasts)
• know the hazards from hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornadoes
• know the difference between watches and warnings for hurricanes and tornadoes
• know safety rules for hurricanes, thunderstorms, and tornadoes and how they compare and differ
Name ________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _____
Chapter 3 Practice Test – Part 1
Air Masses Fill in the blanks.
1. An air mass is a large body of air with uniform _____________________ and _________________.
2. A maritime polar air mass is _________________ and ________________.
3. A continental tropical air mass is _________________ and ________________.
4. Air masses that form at high latitude have the word _________________________ in their names.
5. Air masses that form over land have the word _________________________ in their names.
Fronts – Identify the following as “warm front”, “cold front”, “both” or “neither”.
1. __________________________ Front at which cold air rises.
2. __________________________ Front at which a warm air mass pushes a cold air mass.
3. __________________________ Front with a steep slope that can produce thunderstorms.
4. __________________________ A boundary between warm and cold air masses.
High and Low Pressure Centers – Identify the following as “high”, “low”, “both” or “neither”.
1. __________________________ Known as cylcones.
2. __________________________ Winds rotate clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
3. __________________________ Winds rotate clockwise everywhere in the world.
4. __________________________ Have mainly sinking air.
5. __________________________ Generally have cloudy skies.
6. __________________________ Winds rotate around the center due to the Coriolis effect.
Mid-Latitude Cyclones (MLC) and Tropical Cyclones (TC) – Identify the following as “MLC”, “TC”,
“both”, or “neither”.
1. __________________________ Center of high pressure.
2. __________________________ Usually has fronts.
3. __________________________ Typically has clouds and precipitation.
4. __________________________ Can produce snow in winter due to cold air.
5. __________________________ Forms over warm, ocean water and weakens over land.
6. __________________________ Gets its rotation from the Coriolis effect.
7. __________________________ Causes damage through strong winds, rain, and storm surge.
Fill in the blanks.
1. Larger differences in air pressure cause __________________ winds.
2. Hurricanes are moved from east to west by the _________________ winds after they form. They can
later move from west to east when they move into the prevailing _______________________.
3. The three major hazards from hurricanes are _________________________________________________
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