Benchmark SC.912.E.7.5
Predict future weather conditions based on present observations and conceptual models and recognize
limitation and uncertainties of such predictions.
Bellwork Questions
42. How does Earth’s rotation impact ocean and air currents?
43. What are the four main types of air masses?
44. What are the causes of stormy weather? -fair weather?
Coriolis effect (also called the Coriolis force) is defined as the apparent deflection of objects (such as airplanes, wind, missiles, and ocean currents) moving in a straight path relative to the earth's surface. Its strength is proportional to the speed of the earth's rotation at different latitudes but it has an impact on moving objects across the globe such ocean and air currents.
What is The Coriolis effect?
Coriolis effect
Bellwork Questions
42. How does Earth’s rotation impact ocean and air currents?
43. What are the four main types of air masses?
44. What are the causes of stormy weather? -fair weather?
Air MassesAir masses are masses of air that have the same characteristics of the surface over which it develops.
Pressure Systems
descending (going down)=High pressure
ascending (going up)=Low pressure
What are Air masses?
What are the two main pressure
systems?High
Pressure>
Low Pressure>
Air Masses
Type of Air Mass Characteristics
1) Continental Polar (cP)
dry and cold
2) Continental Tropical (cT)
dry and warm
3) Maritime Polar (mP) wet and cold
4) Maritime Tropical (mT)
wet and warm
cP cT mPmT
These are four types of air masses important in understanding weather & climate.
The air temperature and humidity is determined by WHERE the air mass
formed.http://video.about.com/weather/Types-of-Air-Masses.htm
Bellwork Questions
42. How does Earth’s rotation impact ocean and air currents?
43. What are the four main types of air masses?
44. What are the causes of stormy weather? -fair weather?
The 4 Weather Fronts
Warm front
Cold front
Occluded front
Stationary Front
A Cause of Stormy Weather
#1Stormy Weather is generally associated within an air of low pressure, where warm moist air rises, or is forced to rise and condense at a considerably rapid rate. The intensity of the lifting mechanism, humidity (water vapour content) and thus ambient temperature, determine the strength/ferocity of the storm.
Fronts: the boundary between 2 air masses
Warm Front: warm air slides over departing cold air- large bands of precipitation form and sometimes stormy weather.This is the symbol on a map for a warm front
In the case of cold fronts: Typically cold fronts move faster than their warmer counterparts. The combination of higher speed and slope push warm air masses upward very quickly. This quick upward air movement causes the warm air being displaced to cool quickly, becoming turbulent. This turbulence often can be the cause of extremely violent weather.
A Cause of Stormy Weather
#2
A Cause of Stormy Weather #2: Cold
FrontsCold air pushes under a warm air mass. Warm air rises quickly=narrow bands of violent storms form but after results in clear & cool skies.
This is the symbol for a cold front
A Cause of Stormy Weather #3:
Occluded Front 2 air masses merge and force warm air between them to rise quickly. Strong winds and heavy precipitation will occur
This is the weather map symbol for an occluded front
Stationary Front Warm or cold front stops moving. Light wind and precipitation may occur across the front boundary
This is the weather map symbol for a stationary front
Reading a weather map
ISOBAR= connects areas of equal pressure BAR comes from BARometric pressure
Reading a weather map...
Isotherm: Connects areas of equal temperature; therm means temperature