Meteorology

4th Grade Science

EQ:

What is meteorology?

What are the 5 layers of the atmosphere?

Meteorology K-W-LKnow Want to Know Learned

What is meteorology?

• Root and suffix– meteor means “things high

in the air, atmosphere”– ology means “the study of”

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and weather.

Layers of the Atmosphere Key Termsatmosphere- the mass of air surrounding Earthionosphere- the portion of the Earth’s atmosphere where

ionization created by solar radiation affects radio wavesmesosphere- the layer of atmosphere above the

stratosphere and below the thermosphere, where temperature decreases with height

stratosphere- the portion of Earth’s atmosphere between the troposphere and the mesosphere where temperature increases with height

troposphere- the lowest portion of Earth’s atmosphere where most weather occurs and temperature decreases with height

Thermosphere: The air is very thin here, but very hot- thousands of

degrees hot! It is heated by the Sun’s energy. Both the space shuttle and the International Space Station orbit in the middle-to-upper part of this layer. Also the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) occurs in this layer.

Exosphere: atmosphere is extremely thin here. The upper part is the

beginning of true space. Some manmade satellites orbit the Earth within this layer.

Mesosphere: This is the coldest layer. Temperatures are as low as 90

C (-130 F). Although the air is thin, it is still thick enough to burn up meteors.

Stratosphere: Most of the ozone in our atmosphere is found here. Some weather balloons can reach the lower part of this layer.

Troposphere: This is the layer closest to Earth, where all living things are found. It is also the layer where weather occurs and jets fly.

Meteorologist for A Day ProjectObjective:

Demonstrate understanding of meteorology by delivering an informative and accurate weather forecast as part of a four member collaborative meteorological team.

Important Dates:

Script Due- February 13, 2015

Tentative Presentation- February 27, 2015

Evaluations:

Peer Review

Teacher Review

EQ:

What is weather?What is climate?

Weather Key Termsair pressure- the force of the atmosphere on its surroundings

anemometer- a tool for measuring wind speed and direction

barometer- a tool for measuring air pressure

prevailing wind- air that moves in a consistent direction over time

temperature- the degree of hotness in an environment

thermometer- a tool for measuring temperature

weather map- a map showing the principal weather conditions in a region at a given time

weather- state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, caused by temperature, humidity, and wind velocity

weather satellite- a satellite that observes the conditions of earth and atmosphere, including cloud cover

Meteorology Instruments

anemometer

thermometer

barometer

measures wind speed and direction

measures temperature

measures air pressure

measures precipitationrain gauge

Anemometer

• Meteorologist use an anemometer to measure wind speed.

• The Greek root “anemos” means wind.

• The Greek root “meter” means measure.

EQ:

Identify the symbols for a high pressure, low pressure, cold front, warm front, and stationary front.

Weather Fronts Key Terms

air mass- a large body of air that has similar horizontal temperature and moisture characteristics

cold front- the boundary between an advancing cold air mass and a retreating warm air mass

high pressure system- location where the force of the air is greater than the surrounding atmosphere; usually air spirals outward in a clockwise direction- generally results in cool, fair weather

low pressure system- location where the force of the air is less than the surrounding atmosphere; usually air spirals inward in a counterclockwise direction- generally associated with precipitation

prevailing wind- air that moves in a consistent direction over time

warm front- the boundary between an advancing and rising warm air mass and a retreating cold air mass

High and Low Pressure? Huh?

H L

Weather Map Symbols

H

L

High Pressure

Low Pressure

Cold Front

Warm Front

Stationary Front

Partly Sunny

Sunny Cloudy

Thunderstorm

Rain

Snow

EQ:

What are the 5 basic parts of the water cycle?

Water Cycle Key Termscondensation- the process in which gas turns into a liquidevaporation- the process in which liquid changes to a gaspercolation- the process in which water seeps through the

layers of soil down to the bedrock.precipitation- water droplets and ice crystals in clouds

that become too large to remain suspended in the atmosphere and so fall to earth; ex: rain, snow

radiation- energy directed outward from a source in the form of waves or particles

run-off- the process in which water follows the force of gravity to lower points, usually in the form of a stream or river.

transpiration- water released into atmosphere from plants in the form of vapor

The Water Cycle -Hydrologic Cycle

Solar radiation

Condensation

The Hydrologic Cycle

“Raining cats and dogs”

• England

• Australia

Wet All Over!

EQ:

Name 3 basic cloud types.

Types of Clouds Key Termscirrus cloud- a kind of cloud that has a feathery or wispy

appearance and is found at high levels in the atmosphere

cumulus cloud- a kind of cloud that has a flattened base but a puffed appearance with rounded tops and can be found at all altitudes

stratus cloud- a relatively uniform thin, flat sheet of cloud that occurs in the atmosphere’s lower levels

thunderhead- the swollen upper part of a thundercloud

cumulonimbus- a kind of cloud that has a flat bottom, but a swollen upper part shaped like an anvil. It is associated with thunderstorms.

Water Cycle Processes

evaporation-

condensation-

precipitation-

liquid changes to a gas

vapor changes to a liquid

water falls back to the earth asrain, snow, sleet, or hail

What is a cloud?

A collection of tiny water drops or ice crystals in the atmosphere

• 3 basic types– Cirrus

– Cumulus

– Stratus

CirrusCirrus

• Thin, wispyThin, wispy• Look like feathers, Look like feathers,

horsetailshorsetails• Made of ice Made of ice • Form high in the skyForm high in the sky

CumulusCumulus

• Puffy, whitePuffy, white• Look like cottonLook like cotton• Flat bottomFlat bottom• Form at middle levelForm at middle level

StratusStratus

• Flat layersFlat layers• Look like sheets or Look like sheets or

blanketsblankets• Cover most of the skyCover most of the sky• Gray or whiteGray or white• Often lowest cloudsOften lowest clouds

What kind of weather?

• cirrus-fair weather near future, storm is on the way

• cumulus-when they grow tall, a thunderstorm may form soon.

• stratus-increase means rain, drizzle, or snow is on the way. If they lift quickly in the morning, signals a fair day.

EQ:

How is a hurricane and a tornado similar?

How is a hurricane and a tornado different?

Severe Weather Key Terms

hurricane- a large tropical storm with winds greater than 74 miles per hour

lightning- an ionized stream of particles flowing between two oppositely charged areas (either between two clouds or between the clouds and Earth)

thunder- sound produced by the rapid heating and expanding of air in the path of a lightning discharge

tornado- a very fast spiraling wind caused by an extreme drop in pressure and rising air, often associated with funnel-shaped cloud with a diameter of only a few hundred yards/meters

Hurricanes• Develop over warm water• Spin

– N. Hemisphere counterclockwise– S. Hemisphere clockwise

• Formed from thunderstorms• Rain• Powerful storm• Summer-Fall

• Winds > 74 mph• Can be 500 miles across• Also called cyclones/typhoons• Hurricane Hunters• Tracked by satellite• Storm Surge

Tornadoes

• Formed from super-cell thunderstorms

• Rain

• Powerful storm

• Summer-Fall

• Winds can be 300 mph

• Last 20 seconds to 1 hour

• Storm Chasers

• Tracked by satellite

• Most occur in the United States

Hurricane Tornado

Channel 13 NewsChannel 13 News

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Bill Nye “Science Guy”

Atmosphere23 min