Weather Forecasting Web Quest

Intellicast.com

Name: ______Date: ______

What's the weather like today? Meteorologists look at lots of data to answer that question.

  1. Here's a satellite view of today's United States weather. Read about the color scale used for clouds below the map. Based on today's cloud cover, which parts of the country can expect unsettled or stormy weather today? (hint: high the cloud the greater the chance for stormy weather)
  1. Check out today's temperature map. Look at the color scale. Which part of the country is coldest today? Which is warmest?
  1. Using the wind map, where is the air moving through Mississippi coming from? How far south is the polar jet stream moving? How does this relate to the temperature map from the previous question?
  1. Unsettled weather is often found along weather fronts. Look at today's weather fronts on the current surface analysis map. Describe the positions of today's cold and warm fronts. Based on the information on the map, what would you predict the weather in our area will be like tomorrow. (check the forecast map. Were you correct? ______)
  1. The map also shows areas of high (H) and low (L) barometric pressure. High pressure usually signals clear weather. Low-pressure often means unsettled weather. Where are today's high-pressure areas? Where are the low-pressure areas?
  1. Click on PRECIPcast map. Where is it raining or snowing?
  1. Click on the interactive weather map. How closely do the locations of today's unsettled weather correspond to the locations of low pressure areas and weather fronts?
  1. Click the link & Draw a picture of what is happening to temperatures at a cold front.
  1. Click the link & Draw a picture of what is happening to temperatures at a warm front.

The Scoop on Tornadoes

Do you remember how you felt when you first saw the tornado scene in the Wizard of Oz? For sure, a tornado is one of nature's most terrifying displays. In this activity, you'll explore how tornadoes form and how to stay safe if there's one coming.

1.  Go toTornadoes: Formation and Safety Tips. Read the caption toIntroduction. Where do the most destructive tornadoes come from?

2.  Drag the scrubber (below the picture) to the right toFormation 1. Read the caption. How do huge supercell thunderstorms begin?

3.  Drag the scrubber toFormation 2and read the caption. What causes rising air to begin rotating vertically?

4.  What is a vortex?

5.  Drag the scrubber toFormation 3and read the caption. In what region of the supercell does a tornado develop?

6.  Drag the scrubber toSafety Tipsand read the caption. Click on the icons on the graphic. Summarize the tips for keeping safe during a tornado.