S6E4 Weather & Climate Study Notes
Test: Tues. March 5th
Atmosphere
1. What is the source of all energy in our atmosphere? Sun
2. What three things can happen to the energy that comes from the sun?
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
(1) Reflected back into space, (2) Absorbed by the atmosphere, (3) Absorbed by land and water
List the solids that could be found in the atmosphere? Dust, pollen, salt
Define atmosphere. An atmosphere is a thin layer of air that forms a protective covering around the planet.
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the highest concentration of ozone? Stratosphere
List 4 characteristics of the troposphere. (What can I find in this layer?) Lowest layer; contains 99% of the water
vapor; contains 75% of the atmospheric gases; Rain, snow, & clouds occur here.
What is the job of the ozone layer? Protects us from harmful UV radiation from the sun
What are the two major gases (with %) in the atmosphere? Nitrogen=78%; Oxygen=21%
On a hot summer day, you are lying on the beach and feel the sun’s warmth even though you cannot touch the sun.
Which method of heat transfer is responsible for the warmth you feel? Radiation
Earth’s climate & global temps are influenced by factors such as deforestation & burning fossil fuels that add CO2 to
the atmosphere
Air Pressure/Air Masses/ Fronts
11. Why does cold air have high pressure? Why does warm air have low pressure?
Cold air has high pressure
because the particles pack together resulting in high density pressing down.
Warm air has low pressure because the particles are spread apart resulting in low density.
12. Explain wind formation. (Describe the movement of air.) Wind results when two air masses collide that have a
difference in pressure; the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.
13. As an air mass forms, where does it get its temperature and humidity (moisture content) from?
The land or water over which it forms and the area that tells whether it is cool or warm.
14. If an air mass forms over the Gulf of Mexico and moves northeast across Georgia. What weather conditions are
likely to occur in Georgia? (Forecast the weather like on the ‘Air Masses’ note sheet.) The air mass is Tropical,
Maritime which brings warm, humid (wet) weather.
15. Explain how warm fronts form.
Warm air is less dense than cold air; therefore, when a warm air mass moves
into a cold air mass the warm air mass slides up and over the cold air leading to gentle rain or light snow.
16. Explain how a cold front occurs.
Cold air is denser than warm air; therefore, when a cold air mass pushes under
a worm air mass, forcing the warm air mass to rise.
Explain how a stationary front occurs. Forms when warm and cold air meet and neither has the force to move
the other...a standoff happens
17. On a hot summer day, the wind suddenly starts to blow, clouds start to form, there is a brief thunderstorm, and it
becomes cooler. Which type of front passed? Cold front
18. Currents in the Atlantic Ocean flow from the equator where they are warmed towards areas to the Arctic Ocean
where they are cooled. As they flow back towards the equator, what is the effect on the nearby land?
The air
over the nearby land is cooled by the cooler water as it flows nearby
Storms
19. List the characteristics of a snowstorm.
Heavy snowfalls, blowing winds, blinding snow; air that is colder
than 32°F from the cloud all the way down to the ground
20. Define a hurricane.
A tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean water as a low pressure system;
may last a week or more; loses strength as it crosses land
21. What does it mean when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning?
A tornado has been
sighted and immediate action should be taken.
22. In a thunderstorm, which happens first, thunder or lightning?
Lightning
23. Name the large, dark clouds that produce different types of severe weather such as thunderstorms and
tornadoes.
Cumulonimbus
24. What powers a hurricane? Use an Analogy: Gasoline is to a car as warm ocean water is to a hurricane.
25. Define tornadoes.
Rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped cloud, reaching from the storm cloud to the ground;
winds at different heights in cumulonimbus clouds
26. What is the cause of tornadoes? (How do they form?)
Occur in summer & spring mostly when warm,
moist air from Gulf of Mexico meets cold, dry air from Canada
27. If a hurricane hits the coast of southeastern U.S., in which ocean did it most likely form?
Atlantic Ocean
28. Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas make up an area called Tornado Alley. Why is the area
given this name?
This is an area where over 800 tornadoes may occur yearly because cold, dry air from
Canada meets warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico
Global Winds
28. Which global wind system is responsible for moving weather across North America? Prevailing Westerlies
29. Which global wind system is closest to the equator? Trade Winds (where early traders sailed their routes)
30. What is the Coriolis effect? Coriolis Effect: When the rotation of Earth on its axis causes moving air and
water to appear to turn to the right (clockwise) North of the equator and to the left (counter clockwise)
South of the equator.
Local Winds: Land Breezes vs. Sea Breezes
31. Clearly draw & label how a sea breeze forms, include time of day, warm air & cool air movement directions,
explain heating and cooling of land & water .
Time of day: During the day
Movement of air: Cool air moves from the sea toward the
land
Why does this occur: This happens because land heats
faster than water & the warm air rises over the land,
allowing the cool air to blow in from the sea.
32. Clearly draw & label how a land breeze forms, include time of day, warm air & cool air movement directions,
explain heating and cooling of land & water.
Time of day: At night
Movement of air: Cool air moves from the land toward
the sea
Why does this occur?: This happens because land cools
faster than water, which allows warm air over the
water to rise & the cooler air from the land blows out
from land.
Essay Topics: Some parts of the study guide will help you to prepare for the essay. These are to guide you in
preparing for your 5 sentence paragraph requirement. Specific vocabulary driven details are expected for
each.
1. Define & explain hurricane movement.
2. Explain the differences between cold fronts & warm fronts.
3. Describe land & sea breezes.
4. Describe the formation & movement of a tornado.
5. You’re flying in a balloon across the U.S. Which global winds would help you move and why?