No PRESSURE—Just be upFRONT with your Weather Wisdom!
(all about Pressure and Fronts)
**Use this “USA TODAY” special list of websites
(www.usatoday.com/weather/wstorm0.htm) to answer the following questions, or…………
1. ...just use the first three bulleted hyperlinks on “Air Pressure & Weather”
from the list
(http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/whighlow/whighlow.htm , http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wlowpres/wlowpres.htm ,
to list AND make a T-CHART to compare &
contrast High & Low Pressure systems. Make sure to explain just exactly how each of
these affect the weather we experience. Stick with 5-7 statements about each.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/whighp/whighp.htm )
HIGH
LOW
1.
Pressure is higher than surrounding air
Pressure is lower than the surrounding air
2.
Air is slowly descending
Air is ascending
3.
The air is warmed upon descending
Air is cooled upon reaching high altitudes
4.
Cloud formation is inhibited
Condensation & cloud formation is likely
5.
The descending air flows out
in a clockwise direction
The ascending air flows inward
in a counterclockwise direction
6.
Fair, sunny weather is the norm
Precipitation is probable
7.
Stable air
Can produce instability & storms of
various intensities including t-storms and
hurricanes
2. Also under the “Air Pressure & Weather” list, use the last bulleted link
(http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wbasebal/wbasebal.htm ) to
explain to Joe Mauer why he has a better
chance of hitting a homerun in Denver than in New York City. (give him the science behind it) 
Batters should thank Denver’s lower air pressure compared to lower elevation ballparks.
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As a baseball travels towards the bleacher seats, it collides with the gas molecules that make up air.
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This creates friction or “drag”. The less drag, the farther the ball will fly.
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3. Under the “FRONTS” list use the top 2 bullets: (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wcfront/wcfront.htm
Sketch & label each type of front & explain
HOW cold & warm fronts work so that a 3 grader could understand how this works.
& http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wwfront/wwfront.htm )
rd
Cold Front sketch
Heavier, colder air pushes under the lighter, warmer air
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The warm air rises abruptly and cools quickly
Warm Front sketch
The approaching lighter, warm air rises over the cooler
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The warm air rises gradually and cools slowly
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If the humidity is high enough, condensation and clouds form
4.
With high humidity, condensation and clouds form
Watch this short video about warm and cold fronts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huKYKykjcm0&feature=youtu.be …add 3 VIPS to remember about a Cold
front and 3 VIPS to remember about a warm front. **CIRCLE THESE!!** you’ll add them
to your Front foldable tomorrow!
Cold Front
Is like a big wedge, pushing under warm air.
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Towering thunderheads form
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Intense, short-lived storms are produced.
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Warm Front
Warm air pushes cold out
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A series high clouds gives way to rain
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Precipitation is lighter and less intense
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5. Under the “How Storms Form” list, go to the ‘How Winter Storms Bring Rain, Ice & Snow’
page (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wrisnow/wrisnow.htm ). Go to the “How it Happens” graphic, go
through the slideshow and explain using text or pictures why some storms can bring
different types of precipitation (rain, hail, sleet, snow).
It all starts with snow, but when snow falls into warm air, it produces rain
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Snow melts and refreezes into sleet as it travels through cold air
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Snow falling through cold air stays as snow
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