Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Competency 4c – DOK 2 8th Grade – Lesson 8.7 Name: ____________________________________ Period: ____ Examine weather forecasting and describe how meteorologists use atmospheric features and technology to predict the weather. I can predict the weather in a region based on a current surface map. Page 7 Unit 8 – Weather: Weather Maps Quick Review: 1. A characteristic that helps an organism to survive in its environment = adaptation For each of the list of characteristics below, give the biome where these would be found. 2. CAM photosynthesis, nocturnal animals with large ears and tan skin = desert 3. Plants with roots that form thick layers, animals with broad flat teeth = grassland 4. Thick fur and blubber, small plants that are low to the ground = tundra 5. Animals with thick fur that hibernate, trees with needles = taiga (coniferous forest) Key Points on Weather Maps: 1. There are three main types weather maps that help us predict how the weather will change. a. Satellite – shows the movement of clouds. Satellites capture infrared and visible light to determine the height of clouds and where they are moving. b. Radar – shows precipitation that is falling. 1) Radio waves are sent out by machines on the surface of the Earth. 2) These waves are reflected off of precipitation that is falling. 3) The more precipitation, the more the radio waves are reflected. 4) Doppler radar can tell the direction that wind is blowing by measuring changes in the wavelength of reflected radio waves. 5) Precipitation is shown on these maps with various colors: green for rain, pink for sleet, white for snow. Very heavy rain is shown in orange and red. c. Surface – shows fronts and high and low pressure areas. 1) Sometimes a surface map is combined with a radar map. 2. To read a weather map, follow the steps below: a. Find the location of interest. b. Determine the meaning of any nearby symbols. c. Look for fronts that are “pointing” at the location. Determine what type of front it is and how this impacts the weather. d. Look to the west because that weather will move eastward. Weather Maps: Guided Practice Source NOAA Weather Underground Weather Channel Local Website Local TV Station Max Temp (o F) Min Temp (o F) Wind Speed / Direction Precipitation % chance, type Quick Description 1. What do you notice about the forecasts? Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Competency 4c – DOK 2 8th Grade – Lesson 8.7 Name: ____________________________________ Period: ____ Examine weather forecasting and describe how meteorologists use atmospheric features and technology to predict the weather. I can predict the weather in a region based on a current surface map. Page 7 Unit 8 – Weather: Weather Maps Quick Review: 1. A characteristic that helps an organism to survive in its environment = For each of the list of characteristics below, give the biome where these would be found. 2. CAM photosynthesis, nocturnal animals with large ears and tan skin = 3. Plants with roots that form thick layers, animals with broad flat teeth = 4. Thick fur and blubber, small plants that are low to the ground = 5. Animals with thick fur that hibernate, trees with needles = ( ) Key Points on Weather Maps: 1. There are three main types weather maps that help us predict how the weather will change. a. – shows the movement of . Satellites capture and light to determine the of clouds and they are moving. b. – shows that is falling. 1) are sent out by machines on the surface of the Earth. 2) These waves are of precipitation that is falling. 3) The , the the radio waves are . 4) radar can tell the that is by measuring changes in the wavelength of reflected radio waves. 5) Precipitation is shown on these maps with various colors: for rain, for sleet, for snow. Very is shown in and . c. – shows and and areas. 1) Sometimes a surface map is combined with a . 2. To read a weather map, follow the steps below: a. Find the location of . b. Determine the meaning of any . c. Look for that are “ ” at the . Determine what of it is and how this the weather. d. Look to the because that weather will move . Weather Maps: Guided Practice Source NOAA Weather Underground Weather Channel Local Website Local TV Station Max Temp (o F) Min Temp (o F) Wind Speed / Direction Precipitation % chance, type Quick Description 1. What do you notice about the forecasts? Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Name: ____________________________________ Period: ____ 2. Which of these describes the weather forecast for Mississippi on Tuesday and Wednesday? 1. Tuesday: cold temperatures with light snow Wednesday: warm temperatures with clear skies 2. Tuesday: thunderstorms with heavy rainfall Wednesday: cold temperatures with sleet and rain 3. Tuesday: cloudy with rainfall on and off during the day Wednesday: windy in the morning, clear skies in the afternoon 4. Tuesday: cold temperatures with clear skies Wednesday: clear skies in the morning, windy with light rain in the afternoon Weather Maps: Independent Practice Answer the following questions as a scientist would using the weather map below. Explain WHY using COMPLETE sentences! 1. What type of front is affecting location #1? 2. Make a prediction for the type of weather that location #1 is currently experiencing. 3. What weather feature is affecting Mississippi (location #2)? Surface Map for Monday, March 26th 4. Make a prediction for the type of weather that location #2 is currently experiencing. 5. What type of front is affecting location #3? 6. Make a prediction for the type of weather that location #3 is currently experiencing. 7. Based on your knowledge of wind patterns and the current surface map, predict the weather in Mississippi on Wednesday.