Directions: Read the following information and highlight the important information. Here are
the objectives that you need to take in to consideration.
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Weather associated with warm and cold fronts.
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Regional factors and how they affect weather in that region.
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How can dramatic drops in barometric pressure affect weather?
Warm Fronts
A warm front forms where a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass. Because the warm air is
less dense, it slides up and over the colder air. At first, cirrus clouds might appear. They may be
followed by stratus clouds and some precipitation, either rain or snow. When the front passes, the
sky clears and the air pressure rises. Temperatures also rise as warm air replaces cold air.
Cold Fronts
A cold front forms where a cold air mass moves into a warm air mass. Cold air contracts,
becomes more dense, and thus heavier than warm air, so the cold air pushes underneath the warm
air. Cumulus clouds and showers or thunderstorms may be scattered along cold fronts. As the
front passes, the wind changes direction. Skies begin to clear, and the temperature usually drops.
Factor that affect weather in a particular region:
Geographic features in your area such as large bodies of water and mountains can affect local
weather. For example, if you live near the Atlantic Ocean, conditions to the east often influence
your weather. And whether you live near the east coast or west coast, temperatures near the
ocean may be higher than they are even short distances inland. The heat-holding ability of large
bodies of water causes warming of the air along the coast. In a city such as Chicago, which is
located on Lake Michigan, forecasters often give two sets of information: one for people living
within 5-10 miles of the lake, and the second for people in outlying areas. In the spring, for
example, it's generally warmer in the outlying areas than it is closer to the lake.
People who live on the eastern side of a mountain range such as the Sierra Nevada’s have mostly
dry weather. Even when moisture-laden air masses move into the area, their interaction with the
mountains causes most of the moisture to fall on the western slopes.
So keep in mind that you can't just look at a weather map and expect to make totally accurate
predictions. Lots of factors affect what happens in an area on any given day.
For geography, remember these six points:
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Coastal areas have more moderate temperatures than inland areas, and are generally
warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
In hilly areas, hot air moves up the slopes during the day and down the slopes at night.
High altitude areas are usually colder and receive more precipitation than low altitude
areas.
The air above cities is often warmer than the surrounding area. In certain situations, this
can create an artificial low pressure system.
In coastal areas, cool air usually blows inland during the day and out to sea at night.
Areas located closer to the equator are warmer than areas located closer to the polesLatitude
Barometric Pressure
Changes in atmospheric pressure are one of the most commonly used ways to forecast changes in
the weather because weather patterns are carried around in regions of high and low pressure.
A slowly rising atmospheric pressure, over a week or two, typically indicates settled weather that
will last a long time. A sudden drop in atmospheric pressure over a few hours often forecasts an
approaching storm, which will not last long, with heavy rain and strong winds.
By carefully watching the pressure on a barometer, you can forecast local weather using these
simple guidelines:
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Decreasing barometric pressure indicates storms, rain and windy weather.
Rising barometric pressure indicates good, dry, and colder weather.
Slow, regular and moderate falls in pressure suggest a low pressure area is passing in a
nearby region. Marked changes in the weather where you are located are unlikely.
Small rapid decreases in pressure indicate a nearby change in weather. They are usually
followed by brief spells of wind and showers.
A quick drop in pressure over a short time indicates a storm is likely in 5 to 6 hours.
Large, slow and sustained decreasing pressure forecasts a long period of poor weather.
The weather will be more pronounced if the pressure started rising before it began to drop.
A rapid rise in pressure, during fair weather and average, or above average pressure,
indicates a low pressure cell is approaching. The pressure will soon decrease forecasting
poorer weather.
Quickly rising pressure, when the pressure is low, indicates a short period of fair weather
is likely.
A large, slow and sustained rise in pressure forecasts a long period of good weather is on
its way.