Name:________________________________________
Meteorology: Weather Instruments
Date:___________________
Vocabulary
Blizzard:
Forecast:
Hazardous weather:
Hurricane:
Thunderstorm:
Tornado:
Many instruments are used at ground-based weather stations to measure the conditions of
the atmosphere. Weather is monitored with weather balloons that send data to weather stations.
Satellite photographs show cloud cover. Radar gives information about the intensity and speed
of approaching storms. Doppler radar is especially useful in detecting tornadoes. Computers
collect and store large amounts of data and compare present weather data to the past.
Humans can prepare for and protect themselves against hazardous weather if warnings
are given. Tornadoes are rapidly rotating, extremely low-pressure storms. A funnel extends
down from a thunderstorm cloud. Tornadoes form when every cold air meets warm, moist air
from the Gulf of Mexico. The tornado may be on the ground for a few minutes or a few hours.
The path of the tornado is unpredictable. Radar monitors their formation and warnings are sent
out. Tornadoes have hazardous winds and flying debris. People in the path of a tornado should
seek low shelter immediately or go into or under a sturdy structure.
In the winter, ice storms and blizzards pose hazards to people. Blizzards are associated
with heavy snow and winds. Drifting snow can stop transportation. An ice storm can disrupt
electric and phone services. Ice storms can occur suddenly as rainfall begins to freeze. There is
a danger of frostbite and hypothermia. People should stay indoors, not drive, stay warm and
have food, water and medical supplies available.
Hurricanes are low-pressure systems, which form over warm, tropical oceans. Winds are
greater than 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes have high winds, high waves, flooding from rain, and
storm surges of ocean water along coastlines. If you are in the path of a hurricane you should
have food, water and all necessary supplies and stay indoors. If you live in a flood prone area
you should go to an emergency shelter.
Name:________________________________________
Meteorology: Weather Instruments
Date:___________________
Review Questions
1. Which technology has improved our weather forecasting ability?
a. satellites
b. ships
c. airplanes
d. Internet
2. Satellite photographs show ______________________________.
3. Doppler radar can be used for _______________________________.
4. Weather data is compared by using ______________________________.
5. During a tornado you need to protect yourself from wind and
______________________________.
6. Thunderstorms form along a ______________________________.
7. Severe winter storms are called ______________________________.
8. Hypothermia can be prevented by ______________________________.
9. Hurricanes form over ______________________________.
10. Hurricane winds are more than ______________________________ miles per hour.
11. When a hurricane warning is issued the supplies you need should include
____________________________________________________________.
12. Name the type of hazardous weather associated with each precaution:
a. Leave low lying ocean shorelines in the storm’s path ______________________.
b. Stay indoors and keep yourself warm during the storm _____________________.
c. Immediately go to a sturdy underground shelter __________________________.
d. Turn off the computer and do not use the telephone _______________________.
13. Tornadoes are most common in the ______________________________ section of the
USA.
Name:________________________________________
Meteorology: Weather Instruments
Date:___________________
14. Tornadoes form when a very cold, dry air mass meets a very warm, moist air mass.
Which two air masses could form a tornado when they meet?
a. cP and cT
b. cP and mT
c. cT and mP
d. mP and mT
15. On a summer afternoon, the reading on the barometer begins to decrease. This indicates
that
a. A storm is approaching
c. Skies will stay clear
b. Weather conditions will improve
d. It will not rain for the next three days
16. Which is a form of precipitation?
a. Frost
b. Snow
c. Dew
d. Fog
17. The arrows on the map show the movement of
a. Earth’s rotation
b. Northeasterly winds
c. Tsunamis
d. Atlantic Ocean hurricanes
18. The map shows the average number of thunderstorms each year in the United States.
What section of the country gets the most thunderstorms?
a. Northeast
b. Southeast
c. Southwest
d. Northwest
Name:________________________________________
Meteorology: Weather Instruments
Date:___________________
19. The data below gives the positions of a hurricane during a seven day period.
a. Plot the hurricane positions using the hurricane symbol
b. Connect the positions with a line. Use an arrow to show the direction of
movement of the hurricane.
c. Name one specific land location that the hurricane affected.
Name:________________________________________
Meteorology: Weather Instruments
Date:___________________
Location:____________________ Date:____________________
d. Hurricanes form over warm, tropical oceans. The hurricane air mass would be
classified as: (mP) (mT) (cT) (cP)
e. State TWO dangerous conditions that could cause damage as the hurricane strikes
the shoreline.
(1) __________________________________________________________
(2) __________________________________________________________
f. State TWO ways that you can prepare for a hurricane emergency if a hurricane
warning is announced in your area.
(1) __________________________________________________________
(2) __________________________________________________________
20. A student wants to prepare for the winter season. There were many snow and ice storms
last year and meteorologists forecast the same for this winter. List FOUR preparations
that the student and his family can make now before the winter storms arrive.
(1) __________________________________________________________
(2) __________________________________________________________
(3) __________________________________________________________
(4) __________________________________________________________