HIgh vs. Low Pressure Notes

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a high pressure system?

• A region where the atmospheric pressure is higher than the surrounding areas

• A region where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding areas

• A region with constant temperature throughout the year

• A region with frequent rainfall

Open Ended

Why do you think understanding high and low pressure systems is important for predicting weather?

Labeling

Label the symbol for a high pressure system and low pressure system.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

High pressure system

Low pressure system

​YBarometer: an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure

Multiple Choice

Based on the diagrams, what is the main difference between high pressure and low pressure systems in terms of air movement?

• High pressure has air rising, low pressure has air sinking

• High pressure has air sinking, low pressure has air rising

• Both have air rising

• Both have air sinking

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank: Molecules in warm air are

apart compared to molecules in cold air.

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements are true about warm air and cold air?

• Warm air molecules are far apart and move a lot

• Cold air molecules are close together and do not move much

• Warm air sinks while cold air rises

• Cold air rises while warm air sinks

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiYyCurh_SU

Open Ended

Why is high pressure associated with fair, clear skies while low pressure systems are associated with clouds and precipitation?

Multiple Choice

According to the diagram, what happens to air as it sinks in a high pressure system?

• It cools down and forms clouds

• It warms up and there is less chance of condensation

• It rises and forms rain

• It becomes more humid

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes the weather associated with a high pressure system?

• Clear, sunny skies

• Cloudy with precipitation

• Stormy and windy

• Humid and rainy

Open Ended

How does the movement of air in high pressure systems differ between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is true about a high pressure system?

• Air rises towards the center of the system.

• Air sinks in the center of the system.

• Winds in a high pressure system turn in the same direction in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Multiple Choice

What happens to air as it rises in a low pressure system?

• It warms and dries out

• It cools and condenses, forming clouds

• It sinks and becomes denser

• It remains unchanged

Open Ended

Compare and contrast the weather patterns produced by high pressure and low pressure systems.

Fill in the Blanks

Low pressure systems are usually associated with

and precipitation.

Fill in the Blanks

Air in low pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere moves inward toward the center and

.

Multiple Choice

How does the direction of air movement in low pressure systems differ between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

• In the Northern Hemisphere, air moves inward and counterclockwise; in the Southern Hemisphere, air moves inward and clockwise.

• In the Northern Hemisphere, air moves outward and clockwise; in the Southern Hemisphere, air moves outward and counterclockwise.

• In both hemispheres, air moves inward and clockwise.

• In both hemispheres, air moves outward and counterclockwise.

Multiple Select

Select all statements that are correct about low pressure systems:

• Air moves inward toward the center.

• They turn counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

• They are associated with nice weather.

• They turn clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is true about low pressure systems?

• They turn counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Air sinks in the center of a low pressure system.

• Nice weather is usually associated with low pressure systems.

Fill in the Blanks

What instrument is commonly used to measure air pressure?

Open Ended

Explain how high and low pressure systems affect weather patterns.

Draw

On this map of the U.S., draw the symbol for a low pressure over California and draw the symbol for high pressure over Texas. Use the correct colors!

Fill in the Blanks

Air is

in the center of a high pressure system.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference in air movement between high pressure and low pressure systems?

• High pressure systems have sinking air, while low pressure systems have rising air.

• High pressure systems have rising air, while low pressure systems have sinking air.

• Both systems have sinking air.

• Both systems have rising air.

Multiple Choice

What happens to water vapor in a low pressure system as the air rises?

• It condenses to form clouds and precipitation.

• It disappears from the atmosphere.

• It causes the air to sink.

• It creates clear skies.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are characteristics of a low pressure system?

• Rising air

• Cloud formation

• Clear skies

• Precipitation

Open Ended

Explain why high pressure systems are usually associated with nice weather, while low pressure systems are associated with poor weather.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following descriptions does not describe a high pressure system?

• Warmer air that rises

• Cooler air that sinks

• Clear skies

Open Ended

What is one key difference between high pressure and low pressure systems that you learned in this lesson?