Forecasting the Weather Web Quest
Introduction: How do meteorologists forecast the weather? In this web quest, we will explore air
masses, fronts, weather symbols, and weather forecasts.
Procedure: Follow the links for each question and write down your responses on the Forecasting
the Weather Worksheet.
1. What is an air mass? Question #1 Link
2. Describe the temperature, moisture, and air pressure associated with a continental Polar air mass.
Question #2 Link
3. Describe the temperature, moisture, and air pressure associated with a maritime Tropical air mass.
Question #3 Link
4. Describe a high pressure center. What is another name for a center of high pressure?
Question #4 Link
5. What is a cyclone? What direction do winds flow in cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere? In the
Southern Hemisphere? Question #5 Link
6. Watch the animation on how winds flow around cyclones (pressure lows) and anticyclones
(pressure highs) in the Northern Hemisphere. Draw and describe what you see. Question #6 Link
7. What is the definition of a front? Question #7 Link
8. Individual surface weather stations us a standard format to report weather. Question #8 Link
9. What is a cold front? Describe the winds, temperature, and precipitation before, during, and after a
cold front. Question #9 Link
10. What is a warm front? Describe the behind and ahead of a warm front. Question #10 Link
11. What is the Persistence Method of weather forecasting? When does this method work well?
Question #11 Link
12. What is the Trends Method of weather forecasting? When does this method NOT work well?
Question #12 Link
13. What are three other methods of forecasting the weather? Provide a brief description of each.
Question #13 Link
14. Independent Research Question #14 Link