S6E4 Weather ClimateStudy Notes

Atmosphere

  1. What is the source of all energy in our atmosphere? Sun
  2. What three things can happen to the energy that comes from the sun?

(1) Reflected back into space, (2) Absorbed by the atmosphere, (3) Absorbed by land and water

  1. List the solids that could be found in the atmosphere? Dust, pollen, salt
  2. Define atmosphere. An atmosphere is a thin layer of air that forms a protective covering around the planet.
  3. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the highest concentration of ozone? Stratosphere
  4. List 4 characteristics of the troposphere. (What can I find in this layer?) Lowest layer; contains 99% of the water vapor; contains 75% of the atmospheric gases; Rain, snow, & clouds occur here.
  5. What is the job of the ozone layer? Protects us from harmful UV radiation from the sun
  6. What are the two major gases (with %) in the atmosphere? Nitrogen=78%; Oxygen=21%
  7. On a hot summer day, you are lying on the beach and feel the sun’s warmth even though you cannot touch the sun. Which method of heat transfer is responsible for the warmth you feel?Radiation
  8. Earth’s climate & global temps are influenced by factors such as deforestation & burning fossil fuels that add Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere

Air Pressure/Air Masses/ Fronts

  1. Why does cold air have high pressure? Why does warm air have low pressure? Cold air has high pressure because the particles pack together resulting in high density pressing down.

Warm air has low pressure because the particles are spread apart resulting in low density.

  1. Explain wind formation. (Describe the movement of air.) Wind results when two air masses collide that have a difference in pressure; the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
  2. As an air mass forms, where does it get its temperature and humidity (moisture content) from?

The land or water over which it forms and the area that tells whether it is cool or warm.

  1. If an air mass forms over the Gulf of Mexico and moves northeast across Georgia. What weather conditions are likely to occur in Georgia? (Forecast the weather like on the ‘Air Masses’ notesheet.)The air mass is Tropical, Maritime which brings warm, humid (wet) weather.
  2. Explain how warm fronts form. Warm air is less dense than cold air; therefore, when a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass the warm air mass slides up and over the cold air leading to gentle rain or light snow.
  3. Explain how a cold front occurs. Cold air is denser than warm air; therefore, when a cold air mass pushes under a worm air mass, forcing the warm air mass to rise.

Explain how a stationary front occurs. Forms when warm and cold air meet and neither has the force to move the other...a standoff happens

  1. On a hot summer day, the wind suddenly starts to blow, clouds start to form, there is a brief thunderstorm, and it becomes cooler. Which type of front passed? Cold front
  2. Currents in the Atlantic Ocean flow from the equator where they are warmed towards areas to the Arctic Ocean where they are cooled. As they flow back towards the equator, what is the effect on the nearby land? The air over the nearby land is cooled by the cooler water as it flows nearby

Storms

  1. List the characteristics of a snowstorm. Heavy snowfalls, blowing winds, blinding snow; air that is colder than32°F from the cloud all the way down to the ground
  2. Define a hurricane. A tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean water as a low pressure system; may last a week or more; loses strength as it crosses land
  3. What does it mean when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning? A tornado has been sighted and immediate action should be taken.
  4. In a thunderstorm, which happens first, thunder or lightning? Lightning
  5. Name the large, dark clouds that produce different types of severe weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes. Cumulonimbus
  6. What powers a hurricane? Use an Analogy: Gasoline is to a car as warm ocean water is to a hurricane.
  7. Define tornadoes. Rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped cloud, reaching from the storm cloud to the ground; winds at different heights in cumulonimbus clouds
  8. What is the cause of tornadoes? (How do they form?) Occur in summer & spring mostly when warm, moist air from Gulf of Mexico meets cold, dry air from Canada
  9. If a hurricane hits the coast of southeastern U.S., in which ocean did it most likely form? Atlantic Ocean

28. Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas make up an area called Tornado Alley. Why is the area given this name? This is an area where over 800 tornadoes may occur yearly because cold, dry air from Canada meets warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico

Global Winds

  1. Which global wind system is responsible for moving weather across North America?Prevailing Westerlies
  2. Which global wind system is closest to the equator? Trade Winds (where early traders sailed their routes)
  3. What is the Coriolis Effect?Coriolis Effect: When the rotation of Earth on its axis causes moving air and water to appear to turn to the right (clockwise) North of the equator and to the left (counter clockwise) South of the equator.

Local Winds: Land Breezes vs. Sea Breezes

31. Clearly draw & label how a sea breeze forms, include time of day, warm air & cool air movement directions, explain heating and cooling of land & water.

32. Clearly draw & label how a land breeze forms, include time of day, warm air & cool air movement directions, explain heating and cooling of land & water.

Essay Topics: Some parts of the study guide will help you to prepare for the essay. These are to guide you in preparing for your 5 sentence paragraph requirement. Specific vocabulary driven details are expected for each.

1. Define & explain hurricane movement.

2. Explain the differences between cold fronts & warm fronts.

3. Describe land & sea breezes.

4. Describe the formation & movement of a tornado.

5. You’re flying in a balloon across the U.S. Which global winds would help you move and why?