Study Island
Copyright © 2013 Edmentum - All rights reserved.
Generation Date: 11/19/2013
Generated By: Christiana Coburn
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
1. John recorded and graphed the average monthly temperature for his town, Centerville, for the
years 1999-2001. His graphs are shown below.
John doesn't like hot weather very much. He wants to take a vacation and go somewhere cooler
during the hottest month of the year.
If Centerville's pattern of weather stayed the same for 2002, during which month would you
suggest John go on vacation?
A. August
B. July
C. September
D. June
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
2. Carlton has been measuring the amount of rain his town gets each month for the past three
months. He has recorded his data in the table below.
March
April
May
2 inches 8 inches 1 inch
Carlton wants to predict how much rain will fall next April. Which of these would be the best
guess?
A. 8 inches
B. 2 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 1 inch
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
3. Marco notices that it is raining today.
If it is raining today, what can Marco definitely say about the weather one week from now?
It might be rainy, sunny, or cloudy.
A.
B.
C.
D.
It will definitely be sunny.
It will definitely be rainy.
It will definitely be cloudy, but it will not rain.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
4. In some places, water near the surface of the ocean travels in predictable patterns called
currents. Some of these currents are shown in the image below. The large arrow on the right
shows how water temperature normally changes between the equator and the north pole.
Image modified from NASA
A warm current can make the nearby climate warmer. A cold current can make the nearby
climate cooler.
At which point would a shown current make the climate colder?
A. X
B. Z
C. Y
D. W
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
5. Britany thinks it is colder today than it was yesterday. What could she do to measure if the
weather is hotter or colder?
A. She can use an outdoor thermometer.
B. She can use a weather vane.
C. She can use a rain gauge.
D. She can look at the number of clouds.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
6. The change of seasons is an example of
A. change that has a pattern.
B. unpredictable change.
C. change that happens suddenly.
D. random change.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
7. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. Knowing the atmospheric pressure can help
people predict the weather. Study the picture of the barometer. It shows an atmospheric pressure
of about 28.3 inches of mercury.
Based on the readings of the barometer in the picture, what type of weather is most likely
happening where the picture was taken?
A. The weather is changing.
B. The weather is stormy.
C. The weather is very dry.
D. The weather is fair.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
8. Carmen recorded the high temperature outside her house every day for the first 2 weeks of
May. Her calendar is shown below.
May
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
69°F
70°F
70°F
71°F
73°F
73°F
73°F
73°F
74°F
73°F
74°F
75°F
76°F
77°F
Which statement below describes the weather in her city?
A. There is not enough information to tell anything.
B. The temperature is generally staying the same.
C. The temperature is generally falling.
D. The temperature is generally rising.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
9. A group of students place a beaker outside during a storm. After one hour, they collect the
beaker and use a ruler to measure the depth of water in the beaker.
What are the students measuring?
A. precipitation
B. humidity
C. air pressure
D. temperature
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
10. Juan has noticed that the weather is changing. It is becoming more hot and dry where he
lives. What seasonal change is most likely taking place?
A. Winter is ending and spring is beginning.
B. Spring is ending and summer is beginning.
C. Summer is ending and fall is beginning.
D. Fall is ending and winter is beginning.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
11. How will the weather most likely change when summer ends and fall begins?
A. The weather will be cooler and rainier.
B. The weather will be warmer and sunnier.
C. The weather will be very cold and dry.
D. The weather will be hotter and more windy.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
12. Which of the following weather conditions might result in a hurricane?
A. light rain over a small area of land
B. a thunderstorm that moves slowly
C. a tornado that starts over a sandy area
D. strong winds that start over the ocean
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
13. The following image shows the Earth's jet streams. In this picture, most of the United States
lies in the yellow zone between the polar jet and the subtropical jet streams. The United States is
marked with an X.
Image courtesy of NOAA/NWS
Based on the directions in which air moves in the jet streams, how would you expect weather
patterns in the United States to move?
A. from west to east
B. from east to west
C. from south to north
D. from north to south
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
14. The weather report says that tomorrow will be warmer than today.
What tool could a person use to tell how much hotter it is tomorrow than today?
A. a thermometer
B. a flag pole
C. a rain gauge
D. a weather vane
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
15. This picture shows a wind vane.
What does a wind vane measure?
A. the number of clouds in the sky
B. how much rain has fallen
C. the direction the wind is blowing from
D. the direction that airplanes fly
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
16. The picture below shows clouds that a student observed on a day when the weather was fair
and sunny.
What type of cloud is shown in the photo?
A. cumulus
B. cirrus
C. stratus
D. cumulonimbus
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
17. The map below shows the continental United States. Weather patterns in the United States
generally move in predictable ways.
If the state of Nebraska has a heat wave, which state would most likely feel the same heat wave
within the next day or two?
A. Utah
B. Indiana
C. Texas
D. North Dakota
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
18. How does a rain gauge measure rainfall?
A. by measuring the darkness of clouds
B. by counting raindrops
C. by measuring the sound of rainfall
D. by collecting rain in a measuring container
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
19. Francis watches the clouds moving over his house. He sees that the clouds are always
moving and changing shape.
When the clouds are overhead, it rains on Francis' house. When they move past, it stops raining.
From this, Francis sees that
A. weather is always changing.
B. weather always stays the same.
C. it is always raining.
D. it never rains.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
20. It is a nice spring day. It is warm and a little windy. You look up at the sky and you see
bright white puffy clouds.
What kind of clouds do you see?
A. stratus clouds
B. cumulonimbus clouds
C. cirrus clouds
D. cumulus clouds
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
21. In the United States, weather patterns generally move in which direction?
A. east to west
B. north to south
C. south to north
D. west to east
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
22. Which weather condition would most likely result from stratus clouds?
A. thunderstorms
B. hail
C. fair weather
D. drizzle
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
23. It is very warm outside. Many animals only come out at night, when it is cooler. You must
water the grass often so it won’t dry out and die.
What season is it?
A. spring
B. summer
C. winter
D. autumn
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
24. One cause of seasonal weather patterns is the tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun.
This results in one hemisphere receiving more sunlight and experiencing higher temperatures,
while the other receives less sunlight and experiences lower temperatures.
If it is autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
A. winter
B. summer
C. spring
D. autumn
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
25. Temperatures change with the changing seasons. What general pattern of temperature change
would be expected in the Northern Hemisphere from September to October?
A. increase in temperatures
B. temperatures stay exactly the same
C. it is different every year
D. decrease in temperatures
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
26. How does a rain gauge measure rainfall?
A. by collecting rain in a measuring container
B. by measuring the sound of rainfall
C. by measuring the darkness of clouds
D. by counting raindrops
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
27. The movement of air across the planet creates
A. new species of animals.
B. large bodies of water.
C. new layers of atmosphere.
D. global weather patterns.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
28. Which tool measures how hot or cold the air is?
A. telescope
B. rain gauge
C. wind sock
D. thermometer
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
29. It is warm outside, and there is a lot of moisture in the air. The air cannot hold any more
moisture at this temperature.
What will happen next?
A. It will snow.
B. It will continue to be a dry day.
C. It will sleet.
D. It will rain.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
30. Darla walked outside to go to school one morning and noticed that the sky was covered with
low, gray clouds. It looked like a blanket settling over the sky.
Image provided by Ralph F. Kresge from NOAA.
Should Darla take a rain jacket to school?
A. Yes; these clouds will likely bring drizzling rain.
B. No; the blanket of clouds will only keep her city warmer.
C. Yes; these clouds will bring thunderstorms and maybe snow.
D. No; these gray clouds always lift and bring a sunny day.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
31. El Niño and La Niña are climate patterns that sometimes develop over the tropical Pacific
Ocean. El Niño causes higher ocean temperatures than normal, while La Niña causes lower
ocean temperatures than normal. Both patterns can cause extreme weather such as storms, floods,
and droughts.
The picture below shows the change in ocean temperatures during an El Niño period that lasted
one year and a La Niña period that lasted two years.
Image adapted from NOAA
Based on the information above, how are El Niño and La Niña able to affect the climates of
North and South America?
A. by letting more sunlight reach the ocean's surface
B. by making ocean temperatures more stable
C. by lowering the temperature of the Earth over time
D. by changing normal weather patterns
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
32. Clouds that are very _______ in the sky are _______ likely to produce precipitation.
A. high; more
B. scattered; less
C. thick; less
D. thin; more
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
33. Look at the graph below. The graph shows Dodge City's weather throughout the year.
The line on the graph shows the average monthly temperature. The bars on the graph show the
average monthly rainfall. How does Dodge City's weather change throughout the course of the
year?
The weather does not change throughout the year.
A.
B.
C.
D.
The weather is cold and dry in winter, but warm and wet in the summer.
The weather is warm and wet in the winter, but cold and dry in the summer.
The weather is cold and wet in winter, but warm and dry in the summer.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
34. The following image is a cross-section showing how air near the Earth's surface generally
moves. It also shows how the polar jet stream tends to cause rain, while the subtropical jet stream
tends to bring dry weather. The bottom of the image shows the latitude—the approximate
distance from the equator—of each jet stream's average position.
Image modified from image courtesy of NOAA/NWS
Based on this image, where are deserts and other dry climates most likely to be located?
A. near the equator
B. near the subtropical jet
C. near 60° latitude
D. near the polar jet
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
35. The following image shows two jet streams in the northern hemisphere. The polar jet stream
carries cold air. The subtropical jet stream carries warm air.
Image courtesy of NOAA/NWS
In the Summer, the polar jet stream is usually north of the United States. In the Winter, the polar
jet moves down, often past the place marked with an "X".
How will the weather at point X change as the polar jet moves from north of it to south of it?
A. the winds will change direction
B. the weather will stay the same
C. it will get warmer
D. it will get cooler
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
36. The amount of rain that falls is measured using a rain gauge like the one shown here. Look at
the rain gauge.
How much rain has fallen recently?
A. 1 inch
B. 2 inches
C. 5 inches
D. 3 inches
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
37. Fronts are boundaries between air masses of different temperatures and humidity levels (e.g.,
between warm and cold air masses). Warm air rises as cool air moves in to take its place, causing
a front between the two different air masses.
Which of the following can be expected at such fronts?
A. dry weather
B. fog
C. clouds and precipitation
D. clear skies
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
38. It is a clear, cloudless, windless day in January in Oklahoma City. At noon the temperature is
46°F. What can you expect about the temperature later that night at 10 P.M.?
A. It will be exactly 46°F.
B. It will be cooler than 46°F.
C. It will begin to rain.
D. It will be warmer than 46°F.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
39. Monica notices white, wispy, thin clouds, high in the atmosphere. Which type of weather is
most likely taking place?
A. light rainy weather
B. foggy, overcast conditions
C. fair, pleasant weather
D. thunderstorms
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
40. Which is true?
A. Ocean currents affect temperatures on land.
B. The ocean has no affect on the temperature on the land.
C. Ocean water does not move between locations.
D. All ocean water is the same temperature.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
41.
The tool shown in the picture is used to measure
A. wind speed.
B. humidity.
C. air temperature.
D. wind direction.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
42. How does a rain gauge measure rainfall?
A. by counting raindrops
B. by measuring the darkness of clouds
C. by measuring the sound of rainfall
D. by collecting rain in a measuring container
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
43. Wallace has been keeping track of the weather for one week in a weather calendar, shown
below.
Weather Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
sunny
cloudy
rainy
rainy
sunny
cloudy
sunny
How many days did it rain?
A. seven
B. one
C. two
D. three
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
44. A group of students place a beaker outside during a storm. After one hour, they collect the
beaker and use a ruler to measure the depth of water in the beaker.
What are the students measuring?
A. precipitation
B. temperature
C. air pressure
D. humidity
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
45. Paul has been recording the average temperature in his home town, Cityville, for the past
year. He has graphed this data below. In the graph, the tallest bars stand for the highest
temperatures.
Next year, which month should Paul expect to be the coldest?
A. January
B. August
C. March
D. December
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
46.
The tool shown in the picture is used to measure
A. air temperature.
B. humidity.
C. wind speed.
D. wind direction.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
47. Katie knows that each of the last two years it has snowed about 30 inches in January. In
April, it has snowed about 15 inches each year. And in July it has snowed about 3 inches each
year.
Katie wants to predict this year's snowfall with a graph. Which graph should she draw?
W.
X.
Y.
Z.
A. X
B. Y
C. Z
D. W
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
48. Manny has been recording the amount of rain that falls in his town for one year. He found
that the most rain fell in April, and the least rain fell in August.
Rainfall Data
Highest Lowest
Month
April
Amount 7 inches
August
1 inch
What can Manny safely guess about rainfall next year?
Exactly 1 inch will fall in August.
A.
B.
C.
D.
It will not rain at all.
The most rain will fall in April.
Exactly 7 inches will fall in April.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
49. Yesterday was a warm summer day. At what time during the day was the temperature most
likely at its coolest point?
A. 5 A.M.
B. 4 P.M.
C. 9 P.M.
D. 12 noon
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
50. San Angelo is a city in the United States. The graph below shows the amount of precipitation
received by San Angelo over the course of a year.
Which of the following statements correctly describes a pattern shown in the graph?
A.
B.
C.
D.
San Angelo received most of its precipitation in the fall.
San Angelo received most of its precipitation in the summer.
San Angelo did not receive as much precipitation this year as it did last year.
San Angelo received more precipitation this year than any year before.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
51. A meteorologist studies the weather. Which change would a meteorologist most likely
record?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The ice cream melted after sitting on the counter.
There are more clouds today than yesterday.
The leaves on the trees are changing color.
The water in the pond is clearer than yesterday.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
52. Sarah lives beside the ocean in Eureka, California. Her penpal, Ruby, lives in Redding,
California, which is located inland.
As a school project one year, Sarah and Ruby decide to collect local climate data and compare
the average monthly high and low temperatures from their cities. The data they collect are shown
below.
Month
Eureka Average
High
Eureka Average
Low
Redding Average
High
Redding Average
Low
January
54°F
41°F
55°F
35°F
February
55°F
43°F
58°F
38°F
March
55°F
43°F
70°F
41°F
April
56°F
45°F
71°F
45°F
May
58°F
48°F
80°F
52°F
June
60°F
51°F
89°F
60°F
July
61°F
52°F
98°F
64°F
August
62°F
53°F
97°F
61°F
September
63°F
51°F
89°F
56°F
October
61°F
49°F
69°F
45°F
November
58°F
45°F
60°F
40°F
December
55°F
42°F
55°F
34°F
Based on the climate data that Sarah and Ruby collect, they can conclude that
locations by the ocean typically get much colder in the winter and much hotter in the summer
A. than locations that are located inland.
locations by the ocean typically do not get as cold in the winter or as hot in the summer as
B. locations that are located inland.
locations by the ocean typically get much less precipitation during the summer than locations
C. that are located inland.
locations by the ocean typically get much less precipitation during the winter than locations
D. that are located inland.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
53. The movement of air across the planet creates
A. new species of animals.
B. large bodies of water.
C. new layers of atmosphere.
D. global weather patterns.
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
54. A farmer's crops need two inches of rain to fall this week in order to be healthy.
How can the farmer measure how much rain falls during this week?
A. with an umbrella
B. with a thermometer
C. with a rain gauge
D. with a weather vane
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
55. The table below shows the average monthly temperature for a town called Greenville.
Average Monthly Temperatures for Greenville
Month
Average Temperature
(degrees Fahrenheit)
January
56
February
62
March
67
April
71
May
76
June
81
July
84
August
88
September
80
October
75
November
68
December
62
If last month's average temperature was 53 degrees, it was most likely _______.
A. June
B. September
C. August
D. January
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
56. Jordan took a walk at sunset and noticed that the sky was cloudy. He looked at his outdoor
thermometer and saw that it was 30°F and getting colder.
Based on the evidence Jordan saw, what form of precipitation would be most likely to fall during
the night?
A. fog
B. snow
C. rain
D. dew
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
57. A scientist could best predict and explain local and global weather events by
calculating the growth rate of plants in a particular location.
A.
B.
studying global patterns of atmospheric movement.
C.
D.
studying the behavior of fish.
observing the phases of the Moon.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
58.
In East Africa, there are two rainy seasons: the long rains which can fall from March through
May, and the short rains which start in October and continue through December. The region
experiences dry weather and very little precipitation during the months of June through October.
The information above is describing one aspect of East Africa's _______.
A. seasonal weather pattern
B. average air pressure
C. annual temperature range
D. hurricane warning system
Measuring & Predicting Daily Weather Conditions
59. Heather and Andrew were planning a trip to the zoo. They looked out the window and saw
some high wispy clouds in the sky, like the ones in the picture below.
Based on the clouds that they saw, what could they have predicted about the weather for their
trip?
A. There will be lightning and thunder while they are at the zoo.
B. There will probably be rain while they are at the zoo.
C. The weather will probably be dry while they are at the zoo.
D. The weather will probably be very hot while they are at the zoo.
Seasonal & Global Weather Patterns
60. The Earth's oceans are generally warmer near the equator and cooler near the poles. Currents
in the water near the surface circulate the water. Some of these currents are shown in the image
below. Warm currents are shown in red. Cool currents are shown in blue.
Image modified from NASA
Which of the following best describes what the pictured currents do?
A. carry warm water toward the equator
B. carry warm water away from the poles
C. carry cool water toward the poles
D. carry warm water away from the equator
Answers
1. A
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. A
6. A
7. B
8. D
9. A
10. B
11. A
12. D
13. A
14. A
15. C
16. B
17. B
18. D
19. A
20. D
21. D
22. D
23. B
24. C
25. D
26. A
27. D
28. D
29. D
30. A
31. D
32. B
33. B
34. B
35. D
36. A
37. C
38. B
39. C
40. A
41. A
42. D
43. C
44. A
45. A
46. C
47. D
48. C
49. A
50. A
51. B
52. B
53. D
54. C
55. D
56. B
57. B
58. A
59. C
60. D
Explanations
1. From 1999 to 2001, August has had the highest average monthly temperatures. If this pattern
were to hold, August would also be the hottest month in Centerville for 2002. Therefore, it
would be best for John to take his vacation in August to get away from the heat.
2. 8 inches is the best guess.
The amount of rain or snow that falls can be very different from one day to the next. But the
amount of rain or snow that falls over an entire month usually changes very little from year to
year. So since it rained 8 inches this April, it will most likely rain something close to 8 inches
again next year.
3. It might be rainy, sunny, or cloudy.
Weather patterns are always changing on Earth. If it's rainy one day, it could be rainy, cloudy, or
sunny the next day. Since weather is always changing, just because it is raining today doesn't
mean that it will be raining again in one week. So Marco really can't say exactly what the
weather will be like in one week.
4. At points W and X, warm water from the equator raises the temperature. This warmer water
flows east. When it reaches point Y, it is still warmer than the surrounding water. However, it
then moves south. At point Z, the surrounding water is warmer than the current. This is the
California Current, and it keeps the California coast cool all summer.
5. How hot or cold the weather is can be measured with an outdoor thermometer. If the
weather is colder today than it was yesterday, the temperature on the thermometer will be lower.
Meteorologists take outdoor temperature readings every day at the same times to measure
changes in weather.
A rain gauge measures how much rain has fallen. A weather vane measures the direction that the
wind is blowing.
6. The change of seasons is an example of change that has a pattern because the season order
is the same every year: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
The change of seasons is caused by the tilt of the Earth and the revolution of the Earth around the
Sun. The part of the Earth that points toward the Sun is having summer. The part of the Earth
that points away from the Sun is having winter. In the picture below, Africa is shown having
summer on the left and having winter on the right.
7. Many barometers, like the one shown in the picture, show what type of weather usually
happens at different air pressures. The needles on the barometer are pointing to the area marked
as "stormy." So, the weather is most likely stormy where the barometer is located.
8. Looking at the temperatures shown on the calendar, it can be seen that the temperature is
generally rising, with only one drop of one degree on the 10th day. Overall, there is an eightdegree rise from the first day she recorded the temperature to the last day she recorded it.
9. The students measured the amount of rainfall or precipitation that occurred in one hour. The
equipment described is a simple type of rain gauge. The amount of rainfall would be reported as
the depth of the water in the beaker, either in millimeters, centimeters, or inches.
10. Spring is often warm and rainy. Summer is often hot and dry. Since the weather is becoming
more hot and dry, it is most likely that the spring is ending and summer is beginning.
11. At the end of the summer and the beginning of the fall, the weather in many places becomes
cooler and rainier.
12. A hurricane could result if there are strong winds that start over the ocean.
Hurricanes require warm air, lots of moisture, and an area where there is a disturbance in the
atmosphere in order to form. These factors are part of the reason why hurricanes form over
oceans.
13. The prevailing winds in the United States are westerlies, which cause weather patterns in the
United States to generally move from west to east.
14. Temperature is measured with a thermometer. A person can test whether tomorrow is hotter
than today by reading the temperature on the thermometer at the same time on both days.
15. A wind vane measures the direction that the wind is blowing.
The arrow on the wind vane points in the direction that the wind is blowing from.
16. The student is observing cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds form high in the Earth's atmosphere
and appear thin and wispy.
Cirrus clouds usually accompany good weather although they can sometimes indicate the
approach of rain.
17. Weather patterns generally move from west to east across the United States because of the jet
stream in the upper atmosphere. Although conditions can change over time, since Indiana is
located to the east of Nebraska, the state of Indiana would most likely experience the heat wave
next.
Map provided courtesy of NationalAtlas.gov
18. A rain gauge measures rainfall by collecting rain in a measuring container. Usually, a funnel
is connected to a graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder is usually marked in milliliters.
19. Weather is always changing.
Just as the clouds over Francis' house were always moving and changing, weather is also always
changing. If it rains, it will not rain forever. And if it is sunny, it will not be sunny forever.
20. Cumulus clouds are the puffy clouds that look like puffs of cotton. Cumulus clouds that do
not get very tall are indicators of fair weather. If they do grow tall, they can turn into
thunderstorms. The bottoms of cumulus clouds are fairly close to the ground.
21. Weather patterns in the United States generally move from west to east because of the jet
stream in the upper atmosphere. The jet stream is an air current that flows from west to east. It
moves weather patterns in this same direction.
22. Stratus clouds are grey clouds that tend to form low in the Earth's atmosphere and cover the
sky. In general, stratus clouds create overcast conditions which may lead to rain or snow.
23. It is usually very warm or hot during summer. Many animals find a cool shady spot during
the day and become more active at night. When it is hot, plants must be watered more often.
The change of seasons is a natural pattern that can be predicted. Summer is always the season
between spring and autumn.
24. Because of the tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun, the Earth receives uneven
sunlight. This results in opposite seasons taking place at any given time in the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres. When it is autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, it is spring in the
Southern Hemisphere.
25. The Northern Hemisphere experiences the beginning of the fall season around September or
October. This time of year generally brings a decrease in temperatures.
26. A rain gauge measures rainfall by collecting rain in a measuring container. Usually, a funnel
is connected to a graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder is usually marked in milliliters.
27. The movement of air across the planet creates global weather patterns. The weather of a
particular area depends on the movement of the atmosphere. This movement can determine an
area's temperature, air pressure, and precipitation.
28. The air temperature tells how hot or cold the air is. A thermometer is the tool used to
measure air temperature.
29. When the air cannot hold any more moisture at a particular temperature, the drops of water
will join together, and it will rain.
30. Stratus clouds form a low, blanket-like cover in the sky. If they lift quickly, fair weather can
follow. However, they often bring drizzling rain. Darla should probably take her jacket with her
to stay dry at school.
31. El Niño and La Niña are able to affect the climates of North and South America by changing
normal weather patterns. The differences in air and ocean temperatures that come with these
periods cause extreme weather (such as storms, floods, and droughts) that can change the
weather of an area for a long period of time.
32. Clouds that produce precipitation are usually thick, dark colored, and low in the sky. Thin
clouds, scattered clouds, and clouds that are very high in the sky, are less likely to produce
precipitaion.
33. The graph shows that Dodge City's weather changes over the course of the year.
In the winter, the weather is cold and dry. In spring, the weather becomes warmer and wetter.
The weather is the warmest and wettest during the summer. Then, the weather cools off and
becomes drier in the fall.
34. Many of the Earth's deserts are found at a latitude of about 30°, near the subtropical jet.
When the jet streams move, they can bring rain or drought to new areas.
35. The jet streams are said to follow the Sun. In the spring and summer in the northern
hemisphere, as the midday Sun moves farther north, both jet streams move farther north. In the
winter, the midday Sun is low in the south in the northern hemisphere. Both jet streams move
south during the autumn and winter, making the weather in the United States cooler.
36. The water in the rain gauge lines up with the mark at 1 inch, so there has been 1 inch of rain
recently.
This rain gauge is marked with the tenths of an inch. Meteorologists who study the weather
measure rain to the hundredths of an inch.
37. Fronts are boundaries between air masses of different temperature and humidity (e.g.,
between warm and cold air masses). Fronts cause warm, moist air to rise. As the warm air rises,
it cools down and forms clouds and precipitation as it cools.
38. Most of the heat in the Earth's atmosphere comes from the Sun. The Sun heats the Earth
during the day and the temperature rises. When the Sun goes down, some of the heat radiates
back into the atmosphere and outer space and the temperature decreases.
It is most likely that it will be cooler than 46°F at night, because the temperature is usually
lower at night than during the day.
39. Cirrus clouds are white, wispy, thin clouds located high in the troposphere. They are usually
associated with pleasant weather.
Stratus clouds are low clouds that seem to cover the sky with a gray blanket. These clouds can
mean light rain. Cumulonimbus clouds are tall, fluffy heaps of clouds which indicate
thunderstorms and other types of violent weather.
40. Ocean water moves around the world in a pattern. These currents affect temperatures on
land. The Gulf Stream is an ocean current. It carries warm water that releases heat into the
atmosphere. This causes warmer temperatures in parts of the United States, Ireland, and England.
41. Wind speed is measured with an anemometer. Cup anemometers, like the one shown in the
picture, are the simplest types. These have cups facing outwards set on a vertical arm. The wind
flowing into the cups causes the vertical arm to turn, with the movement of the vertical arm used
to determine wind speed.
42. A rain gauge measures rainfall by collecting rain in a measuring container. Usually, a funnel
is connected to a graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder is usually marked in milliliters.
43. From Wallace's calendar, it rained on two days: Tuesday and Wednesday.
Weather is always changing. One day is rarely exactly the same as the next. Very often it is
sunny one day, and rainy the next day. But it can also rain two days in a row.
44. The students measured the amount of rainfall or precipitation that occurred in one hour. The
equipment described is a simple type of rain gauge. The amount of rainfall would be reported as
the depth of the water in the beaker, either in millimeters, centimeters, or inches.
45. January will probably be the coldest month in Cityville next year.
The temperatures in most places tend to be high, medium, or low in the same months every year.
Where Paul lives, the coldest month is January. It will probably continue to be January for most
years in the future.
46. Wind speed is measured with an anemometer. Cup anemometers, like the one shown in the
picture, are the simplest types. These have cups facing outwards set on a vertical arm. The wind
flowing into the cups causes the vertical arm to turn, with the movement of the vertical arm used
to determine wind speed.
47. W is the best option.
Although weather changes from day to day, it tends to run in cycles from year to year. So Katie
should expect that the amounts of snow that fall this year should be very close to the amounts
from the last two years. And the graph that is most like the previous two years is W.
48. Manny can safely guess that the most rain will fall in April.
The amounts of rain or snow in any area tend to be high, medium, or low in the same months
every year. This is a pattern that repeats itself most years. So since it rained the most in April and
the least in August this year, next year the same thing will probably happen, even if the exact
amounts are different.
49. The temperature is usually the highest in the afternoon, when the Sun is still overhead. It is
usually the coolest just before sunrise, when the Sun has been down all night.
So, 5 A.M. was most likely the coolest time.
50. The graph shows the precipitation that San Angelo received over the course of a single year.
Therefore, only patterns related to that year can be observed.
During the year shown on the graph, San Angelo received most of its precipitation during the
months of October, November, and December. Since San Angelo is in the Northern hemisphere,
this shows that San Angelo received most of its precipitation in the fall.
51. A meteorologist makes observations and measurements on every kind of change in the
weather, including temperature, wind speed, humidity, and the amount of rain that falls.
Clouds are part of the weather, so a meteorologist would want to record if there are more
clouds today than yesterday.
The leaves change color in the fall because the weather changes, but the trees are not part of the
weather itself.
52. Bodies of water warm up and cool down more slowly than land. This causes bodies of water
to have a more constant temperature. Because the temperature of the water affects the
temperature of the air above and around the water, areas near the water tend to have moreconstant temperatures as well.
The result of the stabilizing effect of oceans on climate is that locations by the ocean typically
do not get as cold in the winter or as hot in the summer as locations that are located inland.
53. The movement of air across the planet creates global weather patterns. The weather of a
particular area depends on the movement of the atmosphere. This movement can determine an
area's temperature, air pressure, and precipitation.
54. A rain gauge is a weather tool that collects water when it rains. The farmer can tell how
much rain falls with a rain gauge. A rain gauge measures in units of inches.
55. Average temperatures tend to follow a pattern throughout the year.
During the winter, temperatures tend to be at their lowest, and during the summer they tend to be
at their highest. Spring and autumn will often experience similar average temperatures.
In this case, an average temperature of 53 degrees is most likely to happen during the coldest part
of the winter. From the chart, the coldest month of the year is January, so this temperature is
most likely from January.
56. Rain, sleet, snow, and hail are all forms of precipitation that fall from the sky. Rain falls
when the air temperature is above freezing. Sleet forms when the air temperature is near the
freezing point of water (32°F). When the air temperature is below the freezing point of water,
precipitation generally falls as snow.
57. A scientist can explain and predict weather events by studying global patterns of
atmospheric movement.
Atmospheric movement is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth. Some areas of Earth
receive more sunlight. Others receive less. The warmer air expands and begins to rise. Once it
reaches a certain elevation, the air begins to cool and sink. This movement causes regular,
predictable air flow patterns above the Earth. Weather systems often travel along these patterns
of air flow.
58. The information given is describing the precipitation during East Africa's seasonal weather
pattern. Seasonal weather patterns also include changes in the wind speed and direction,
temperature, and humidity of an area.
59. Clouds that produce precipitation are usually thick, dark colored, and low in the sky. Thin
clouds, scattered clouds, and clouds that are very high in the sky, are less likely to produce rain.
Since the clouds that Heather and Andrew saw were thin and high, the weather will probably
be dry while they are at the zoo.
60. The surface currents in the picture carry warm water away from the equator and carry
cool water toward the equator.
The Earth's rotation causes these currents to be clockwise in the northern hemisphere and
counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.