Weather

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 * == Weather Wise ==

** The Elements of Weather **
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** - explain the difference between weather and climate and the factors that influence both of these systems - identify patterns in air movement - identify the effects of air pressure ||

What is Weather?
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1. Define weather. 2. What four factors affect weather


 * The WEATHER is the condition of the atmosphere (or changes in the atmosphere) at a particular time and place. The weather is shaped by 4 main factors: **
 * ** the air **
 * ** the sun **
 * ** water **
 * ** the earth's movement **

Weather vs Climate
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3. What is the difference between climate and weather? **Climate** is the sum or synthesis of all the weather recorded over a long period of time. It tells us the average or most common conditions, or extremes, or counts of events, or frequencies. **Weather** is a description of conditions over a short period of time - a "snap shot" of the atmosphere at a particular time.

Air Pressure
__ [] __ 4. Complete the following chart:

As air descends, it warms, which inhibits the formation of clouds. || . As air rises it cools. As the air cools, the humidity in it begins to condense into tiny drops of water, or if it's cold enough, into tiny ice crystals. If there's enough water or ice, rain or snow begin to fall. || the air descending in high pressure flows out in a clockwise spiral in the Northern Hemisphere. || the air decending is low pressure it is going counter clock wise ||
 * || ==== **High Pressure** ==== || ====** Low Pressure **==== ||
 * Air movement (up or down) || . As the name says, a "high" is an area where the air's pressure is higher than the pressure of the surrounding air   || . A "low' is where it's lower  ||
 * Temperature of air ||
 * Wind movement at ground ||
 * Expected weather || The temputure is warm fair || The temputure is cool stormy  ||


 * || == Weather Wise ==

** Measuring the Weather **
|| **Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design and Communication** - design, construct, and test a variety of weather instruments - use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, in describing their investigations and observations ||

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 * The following web site describes some of the instruments meteorologists use to collect data about the weather. **

Use the information to complete the chart. The source of this information is American so you may have to determine the equivalent metric unit to record in the chart.


 * ** Instrument Name ** || ** What It Measures ** || ** Unit of Measurement ** ||
 * .** Barometer ** || ** measures atmospheric pressure in Millibars. A barometer can also be used by pilots as an altimeter, because as a pilot flies upward, the pointer gives the altitude above sea level. ** || Millibars ||
 * .** Thermometer ** || ** measures the temperature in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit ** || Fahrenheit or celsius ||
 * .** Rain gauge ** || ** measures the amount of rainfall in mm. Not only does a rain gauge measure rainfall, but also all other forms of precipitation. ** || mm ||
 * .** Campbell Stokes Recorder ** || **measures sunshine. This type of recorder is made up of a glass ball which concentrates sunshine on to a thick piece of card. The sunshine then burns a mark on the card which shows the number of hours of sunshine in the day. **  || hours ||
 * .** Anemometer ** || ** measures wind speed in mph. The most common type looks like a toy windmill. Three cups are fixed to a central shaft and the stronger the wind blows the faster they spin around. The wind speed is shown on a dial, just like a car's speedometer. ** || mph ||
 * .** Wind Vane/Wind Sock ** || ** measures wind direction by pointing towards North, East, South or West ** || north,east,south,or west ||
 * ** Hygrometer ** || ** measures the temperature and amount of humidity in degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius. A hygrometer actually uses human hair to tell how much humidity is in the air. It contains a sheaf of blond human hairs treated to remove the oils. As the relative humidity increases, the hairs increase in length and operate the recording mechanism. ** || humitidy in fahrenheit and celsius ||


 * || == Weather Wise ==

** Clouds **
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** - explain the formation of clouds and the effects of different cloud formations on weather and climate ||


 * Use this web site to answer the following questions. **
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1. What are clouds? 2. Explain how clouds form. 3. What are the 3 "families" of clouds and what do their Latin names mean? 4. Follow the links to learn about each type of cloud and then complete the table on the next page. To help you identify clouds, download, print and construct the following "Cloud Key". [] After completing the chart, you could try a Cloud Quiz at; [] 


 * || ==Weather Wise==

**Forecasting**
|| **Understanding Basic Concepts** -recognize large-scale and local weather systems - predict local weather patterns using data from their own observations of weather and from weather reports - identify patterns in air movement ||

The following questions and organizers will help you keep track of the crucial information you’ll need.
 * Read the details at [] and follow the links.**

Cloud Forecasting
seen in clear skys and mean good weather but can mean a change in the weather || good weather || middle heights || Rain or snow || storms with heavey rain ,hail ,winds, and sleet. || Bad weaather ||
 * **Cloud Type** || **Description** || **Possible Weather** ||
 * cirrus || High wispy clouds often
 * altocumulus || Dark heavy water droplet couds at low or lower
 * nimbostratus || a clear sky usually a sign of snow or rain || hard snow or rain ||
 * cumulus || Fluffy lower clouds that often grow during sunny days || fair weather ||
 * cumulonimbus || Giant thunder head clouds that tower to high heights . Thunder

Wind Forecasting
Missing matching for fronts.
 * **Wind Direction** || **Possible Weather** ||
 * North ||  ||
 * South ||  ||
 * East ||  ||
 * West ||  ||