Download Getting to Know: Meteorology

Getting to Know: Meteorology
Have you ever watched a weather report on television? These reports often feature a person standing in front of a large map of your region, explaining how the weather is likely to behave over the next few days. Many people rely on weather reports to prepare
for daily weather conditions. If the report
indicates that the weather is going to be cold, we
make sure to dress in layers and wear hats and
coats. If the weather report predicts rain, we know
that it is wise to bring our umbrellas. Without
weather reports we would have a much harder
time figuring out how to adequately prepare for
the weather.
What is meteorology?
Many people rely on weather reports on
television or in the newspaper to prepare
for daily weather conditions.
Although humans cannot control the weather, we can often predict it. We are able to do this
because of the science of meteorology. Meteorologists are people who study weather patterns
and observe how different factors can influence those patterns. By learning about how
weather behaves, they can make reasonable predictions about what the weather is likely to
be in the near future.
How do meteorologists study and forecast weather?
Meteorologists use different tools to study and forecast weather. Instruments like
thermometers and barometers allow them to record specific conditions in different locations.
They can then compile these data and examine larger weather patterns by using weather
maps that record different weather fronts that are moving across the globe. Meteorologists
also look at factors that affect existing weather patterns such as air pressure and jet streams.
By putting all of this information together, they can forecast the weather.
Misconception 1: Sometimes when I watch a weather report, I see graphics with the
symbols “H” and “L.” Do these symbols stand for “high” and “low” temperatures?
The “H” and “L” on weather maps actually represent the centers of “high” and “low” air
pressure systems. By showing areas where these systems are occurring, these maps
show us which way air masses are likely to move.
Concept: Meteorology
Getting to Know
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How does the movement of air masses affect weather?
Meteorologists focus a great deal on the study of weather patterns known as fronts. Fronts are
the boundaries between large masses of air. Air masses form over large areas of Earth’s surface
and take on the general temperature and moisture characteristics of the area over which
they form. As an air mass moves across a region,
the location of a front will change. Air masses are
generally defined by their overall temperature and
air pressure. As these air masses move and collide
with one another, different types of weather can
occur along a front.
For example, an approaching cold mass moves in by forcing the less-dense warm air upward. The cold air mass replaces the warm air, which can result in violent storms that are followed by periods of cooler weather. On the other hand, a faster-moving warm air mass can overtake a cold air mass and cause hot, humid weather and often rain. How do clouds and rain form?
Clouds form when water vapor condenses around particles in the air. Precipitation occurs when so much water vapor condenses that water droplets become heavy and gravity pulls them to the ground. If the air temperature is cold, these droplets of water may freeze and form snow or sleet. Large cumulus clouds like these can
You can look at clouds for signs of approaching signal a coming storm.
weather. Different kinds of clouds can signal different types of weather. For example, small fluffy cumulus clouds often appear during fair weather. However, if the cumulus clouds grow large and dark, it is often a sign that stormy weather is approaching. You can use this information along with other data to forecast what the weather will be like in the future. Misconception 2: If the regional weather forecast doesn’t match the weather in
my neighborhood, does that mean that the forecast was inaccurate?
Weather changes occur in predictable patterns, which are reflected in the regional
forecasts. However, there is a huge amount of variety of conditions that can occur over a
region. As a result, small changes in those patterns can produce unforeseen changes in
local weather conditions.
Concept: Meteorology
Getting to Know
www.discoveryeducation.com
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© Discovery Education. All rights reserved.
Discovery Education is a subsidiary
of Discovery Communications, LLC.