weather 01

Weather Basics

students should be able to:

• Describe the role of the sun in the Earth's weather systems.

• List four factors that influence weather systems and the instruments used to measure them.

• Explain several ways that engineers analyze and use weather measurements to inform their designs.

Have you ever left your house without a jacket on what turned out to be a freezing cold day?

Have you ever been caught in the rain without an umbrella because you thought it was going to be a nice, sunny day?

Shiyo : Cherokee Language Engine : Basic Vocabulary

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air pressure: The weight of the Earth's atmosphere over an area.

anemometer: An instrument that measures wind speed.

atmosphere: Five different layers of air that surround the Earth.

barometer: An instrument that measures air pressure.

climate: The average atmospheric conditions a region tends to have over many years.

humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air.

​hygrometer: The instrument used to measure humidity.

meteorologist: A scientist who specializes in the study and forecasting of weather

precipitation: Condensed water vapor that falls to the Earth's surface.

troposphere: The lowest portion of the Earth's atmosphere.

water vapor: Water in the gas phase that is present in the air.

weather: Phenomena in the atmosphere of a planet over short periods of time, such as hours or days.

wind speed: The speed of moving air.

Open Ended

What visual observations would you use to predict the weather?

Open Ended

Where can you find weather forecasts?

Open Ended

Based on today's weather, what do you think tomorrow's weather will be like?

Is it weather or the climent?

When we say weather, we are talking about things taking place in the Earth's atmosphere over the short term, such as hours or days. Most of our weather is directed by the sun. Areas close to the equator receive more energy from the sun than those closer to the Earth's poles and within those areas, the various surfaces (such as oceans, forests, deserts, etc.) have different abilities to soak up the sun's rays.

Is it weather or the climent?

The resulting temperatures have the biggest affect on the Earth's weather. How is temperature measured? It is measured with an instrument called a thermometer. The tilt of the Earth (which leads to the different seasons) also affects the amount of direct sunlight a specific area receives, leading to even more temperature differences.

Is it weather or the climent?

• Temperature differences influence atmospheric pressure by causing air to expand or contract.

• Variations in air pressure lead to different weather patterns, such as wind and precipitation.

• Instruments like barometers measure air pressure, while anemometers gauge wind speed, aiding in weather prediction.

Is it weather or the climent?

• Humidity, the amount of water vapor in the air, influences weather phenomena like precipitation, dew, and fog.

• Solar energy drives the Earth's water cycle, which involves processes like evaporation, precipitation, and condensation.

• The water cycle describes the constant movement of water across the Earth's surface, including its atmosphere, and plays a crucial role in regulating weather patterns.

Is it weather or the climent?

• Evaporation converts liquid water from the Earth's surface into water vapor in the atmosphere.

• Precipitation refers to condensed water vapor falling to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.

• Condensation occurs when water vapor transforms into liquid water droplets in the air, forming clouds or fog. Humidity is measured by a hygrometer.

Open Ended

name three common kinds of weather events

Open Ended

name at least one kind of rare weather event?

Is it weather or the climent?

• Weather is dynamic and can alter the Earth's surface through processes like erosion and weathering, which contribute to the formation or breakdown of mountains.

• Human activities such as agriculture, industry, and transportation influence weather patterns and can lead to extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and storms.

• To mitigate the impacts of extreme weather, engineers have developed technologies to manage flooding, enhance precipitation, and reduce hail, reflecting efforts to control and adapt to weather changes.

Is it weather or the climent?

• Civil engineers utilize weather data to design structures like houses and bridges that withstand local weather and climate conditions.

• Environmental engineers leverage weather information to determine optimal locations for energy technologies such as wind farms and solar arrays.

Is it weather or the climent?

• Materials engineers study how different materials are affected by weather and design products, including clothing, suited for various climates.

• Computer engineers develop software to integrate and interpret weather measurements for meteorologists and communities.

• Engineers specializing in extreme weather design instruments, structures, and processes to enhance safety during storms, blizzards, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events.

Cherokee, NC 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather UndergroundPreviousNext

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Open Ended

What controls most of the Earth's weather?

Open Ended

Does human activity impact the weather?

Match

match the list of the weather factors, and instruments used to measure them

• temperature

• humidity

• air pressure

• air movement

thermometer

hygrometer

barometer

anemometer

• thermometer

• hygrometer

• barometer

• anemometer