Study Guide
Weather (SOL 4.6)
Grade 4
Created by Jennie M. Carr – Rockingham County Public Schools – 2010 Revised by J. Segerson and J. Copeland – Loudoun County
Public Schools - 2010
WEATHER TERMS
Weather Tools
Temperature - The measure of the amount of heat energy in
the atmosphere.
Thermometer measures Temperature
Barometer measures Air Pressure
Air Pressure - The weight of the air, which is determined by
several factors including the temperature.
Anemometer measures Wind Speed
Rain Gauge measures Precipitation
Wind Speed – How fast the wind is blowing.
Precipitation - The amount of water, which falls from the sky.
Wind Vane measures Wind Direction
Hygrometer measures Humidity
Wind Direction - The direction in which the wind blows.
F
R
O
N
T
Humidity – The amount of moisture in the air.
Air Mass
A meteorologist uses
weather instruments and
data to predict weather
patterns.
A front is a boundary between air masses of different
temperature and humidity.
A cold front is formed when a cold air mass pushes
into a warm air mass; may produce thunderstorms.
A warm front is formed when a warm air mass pushes
into a cold air mass; may produce light rain.
Different atmospheric conditions produce
the four types of precipitation: rain, snow,
sleet, and hail.
CIRRUS
A feathery cloud, usually
associated with fair weather,
but often indicates rain or
snowfall in several hours.
Air Mass
Low Pressure: usually brings clouds, rain, and wind;
formed when air is warmed.
High Pressure: usually brings dry, clear conditions;
formed when air is cooled.
CUMULONIMBUS
Four Cloud Types
A dark, tall, billowing cloud
that produces rain and
thunderstorms.
STRATUS
CUMULUS
A gray, smooth cloud that
covers the whole sky and
blocks all sunlight. Light rain
and drizzle usually occur.
A white, fluffy cloud with a flat
bottom usually indicating fair
weather.
EXTREME atmospheric conditions create a variety of storms:
Thunderstorm:
Hurricane:
Tornado:
A common storm with winds,
rain, thunder, and lightning.
A storm which forms over
water with heavy winds.
A violent storm with a
rotating column of air.