7.3 Weather Patterns

7.3 Weather Patterns

I can analyze weather patterns

Learning Targets

• 7.2d: I can explain the formation and accompanying weather conditions of masses and fronts

• 7.3 I can analyze weather patterns

• a) Interpret a weather map

• b) Describe weather based on information found on a weather map

What are FRONTS?

• A transition zone between two different air masses at the Earth's surface.

• Each air mass has unique temperature and humidity characteristics

• The turbulence alone a front can cause clouds and storms

Cold Front

• Produces dramatic changes in the weather

• They move fast, up to twice as fast as a warm front.

• During a cold front, winds becomes gusty, there is a sudden drop in temperature, heavy rain (sometimes with hail, thunder, and lightning)

Cold Front

• On a weather map, a cold front is usually drawn using a solid blue line with triangles pointing in the direction of the warm air that will be replaced

Warm Front

• Warm front occurs when a mass of warmer air runs into an area of cooler air. Light to moderate precipitation can occur.

• On a weather map, a warm front is usually drawn using a solid red line with half circles pointing in the direction of the cold air that will be replaced

Multiple Choice

Which of the following symbols represents a COLD FRONT

Multiple Choice

A front is...

• Where warm air is cooling at earth's surface

• A line where hot and cold air are seperating

• a line where two different air masses meet

• Where cold air is rising and forming rain clouds

Multiple Choice

A cold front is approaching Minneapolis. What will happen to the air temperature?

• Stay the same

• Increase

• Decrease

Multiple Choice

Which of the following symbols represents a WARM FRONT?

Multiple Choice

What weather is associated with a COLD FRONT?

• Dramatic change in weather. Gusty winds and heavy rain

• Light to moderate precipitation

Multiple Choice

What weather is associated with a WARM FRONT?

• Dramatic change in weather. Gusty winds and heavy rain

• Light to moderate precipitation

Pressure Systems

• Differences in air pressure in the atmosphere can cause wind to form and help forecasters determine the quality of the weather

• Air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

High Pressure System

• A dense air mass that is usually cooler and drier than the surrounding air

• It usually means good/fair weather is on the way

• Clear Skies

• On a weather map: Blue H

Low Pressure System

• A less dense air mass that is usually wetter and warmer than the surrounding air.

• It generally means rainy or cloudy weather

• On a weather map: Red L

Weather Maps

• Weather maps are used to display weather patterns.

• Meteorologists use weather maps as a tool to predict/forecast the weather.

Weather Map Symbols

• Weather maps have different symbols to make information easier to understand and interpret. Some of those include:

• High Pressure System: Blue H

• Low Pressure System: Red L

• Cold Front: Blue line with triangles

• Warm Front: Red line with semicircles

Multiple Choice

What type of weather is associated with a low pressure system?

• Fair weather

• Clouds and storms

Multiple Choice

What type of weather is associated with a high pressure system?

• Fair weather

• Clouds and storms

Multiple Choice

True or False: Texas has a warm front passing through it.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

T/F: There is a warm front headed towards Virginia

• True

• False