Weather

Weather

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Learn about the different gases that make up the air we breathe.

• Explore the different layers of the atmosphere and what makes each one unique.

• Recognize and name different kinds of dangerous and powerful severe weather events.

• Tell the difference between major storms like tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards.

Key Vocabulary

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Atmosphere

The blanket of gases surrounding the Earth, held in place by the planet's gravitational pull.

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Air Pressure

The force exerted on a surface by the weight of the air due to gravity's pull.

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Severe Weather

Unusual weather causing dangerous conditions that can damage property and threaten lives.

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Tornado

A violently spinning column of air that touches the ground and a cloud above it.

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Hurricane

A powerful storm with violent winds that forms over the warm waters of tropical seas.

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Troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere where almost all of our weather occurs on Earth.

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What is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

Weather

• Weather describes the atmosphere's condition at a particular time and place.

• It includes daily changes in temperature, wind, rain, and sunshine.

• These conditions can change very quickly, even from one hour to the next.

Climate

• Climate is the average of weather conditions in an area over a long time.

• It helps us understand the typical weather patterns for each season.

• While weather fluctuates daily, climate tends to stay stable over many years.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary difference between weather and climate?

• Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average.

• There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable.

• Weather is the average of climate over a long time.

• Climate describes short-term atmospheric conditions, while weather is long-term.

Weather Prediction Tools

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Thermometer

• A thermometer is a tool that measures air temperature.

• When the air gets warmer, the liquid inside expands.

• As the liquid inside expands, it rises up the tube.

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Barometer

• A barometer is an instrument that measures air pressure.

• High pressure often means the weather will be sunny.

• Low pressure can mean that stormy weather is coming.

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Hygrometer

• A hygrometer is a tool for measuring the humidity.

• Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air.

• Knowing humidity helps to predict the chance of rain.

Multiple Choice

Which weather tool is used to measure air pressure, with low pressure often indicating stormy conditions?

• Thermometer

• Barometer

• Psychrometer

• Hygrometer

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Composition & Layers of the Atmosphere

Composition

• The atmosphere is a mix of permanent gases, mainly Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%).

• Variable gases, like water vapor and carbon dioxide, change amounts based on environmental activities.

• These variable gases are also known as greenhouse gases because they trap heat in the atmosphere.

Layers

• The atmosphere has different layers that are based on changes in temperature.

• The troposphere is the lowest layer where weather happens and the stratosphere contains the ozone layer.

• The mesosphere is where meteors burn up, followed by the thermosphere and the exosphere.

Multiple Choice

In which layer of the atmosphere does almost all of Earth's weather occur?

• Troposphere

• Mesosphere

• Stratosphere

• Thermosphere

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Extreme Water Events: Floods and Droughts

Floods

• A flood occurs when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry.

• They are commonly caused by factors like heavy rainfall or the rapid melting of snow.

• Flash floods are a type that happens very quickly and without much warning.

Droughts

• A drought is a long time with less rainfall than normal, causing water shortages.

• These extended dry periods can lead to dangerous consequences such as large wildfires.

• Droughts also cause major problems for farming and can sometimes lead to famine.

Multiple Choice

A prolonged period of unusually low rainfall that leads to a severe shortage of water is known as what?

• A hurricane

• A flash flood

• A blizzard

• A drought

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Thunderstorms, Hail, Lightning & Thunder

• A thunderstorm features lightning, thunder, and strong, rapidly rising air currents.

• ​A storm is severe if it has hail 1.9 cm or larger, or strong winds.

• Hail is solid ice formed by strong updrafts inside thunderstorm clouds.

• Lightning is a powerful electrical discharge, and thunder is the sound it creates.

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Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between lightning and thunder?

• Lightning is the sound created by thunder.

• They are two separate, unrelated phenomena.

• Thunder is a type of lightning.

• Thunder is the sound that results from a lightning strike.

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Powerful Rotating Storms: Tornadoes & Hurricanes

Tornadoes

• A tornado is a rapidly spinning column of air that forms over land.

• It extends from a thunderstorm down to the ground.

• The visible funnel gets its dark color from the dust and debris it collects.

Hurricanes

• A hurricane is a large, rotating storm that forms over warm ocean waters.

• It is a massive storm system with a calm, clear area at its center called the 'eye'.

• When hurricanes reach land, they bring strong winds, heavy rain, and cause major flooding.

Multiple Choice

What is a key difference between a tornado and a hurricane based on where they form?

• Both form over land, but in different hemispheres.

• Tornadoes form over land, and hurricanes form over warm oceans.

• Tornadoes form over warm oceans, and hurricanes form over land.

• Both form over warm oceans, but at different times of the year.

​Winter Storms and High Winds

• ​Blizzards are intense winter storms with strong winds and heavy, blowing snow.

• A severe blizzard has winds over 72 km/h and frigid temperatures.

• Microbursts and dust devils are other types of powerful, small-scale winds.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following are required characteristics of a blizzard?

• A calm, clear sky with light snow

• Low temperatures, strong winds, and blowing snow

• Heavy snowfall with no wind

• High temperatures and heavy rain

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Common Misconceptions About Weather

Misconception	Correction
Lightning never strikes the same place twice.	Lightning often strikes tall structures multiple times.
The atmosphere is made mostly of oxygen.	The atmosphere is 78% nitrogen and only 21% oxygen.
Opening windows before a tornado saves a house.	This is a myth that can actually increase the damage.
A car is a safe place during a tornado.	Tornadoes are strong enough to pick up and throw cars.

Multiple Choice

If a meteorologist notes a rapidly falling barometer and rising humidity, what type of weather can they most likely predict?

• A calm, sunny day

• A coming drought

• An approaching storm with precipitation

• A mild winter day

Multiple Choice

What feature at the center of a powerful, rotating hurricane remains surprisingly calm and clear even as intense winds and rain surround it?

• The eyewall

• The spiral band

• The vortex zone

• The eye

Multiple Choice

If you suddenly saw strong winds kicking up dust in a tight, fast-spinning column on a hot, dry day, which small-scale wind event would you most likely be witnessing?

• A blizzard

• A hurricane

• A microburst

• A dust devil

Multiple Choice

Why does a tornado’s funnel often appear dark as it touches the ground?

• It absorbs sunlight as it spins

• It is made of storm clouds only

• The spinning air cools and turns black

• It picks up dust and debris, giving the funnel its dark color

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Summary

• Weather is the atmosphere's short-term state; climate is the long-term average.

• The sun's unequal heating of Earth causes weather in the troposphere.

• Tornadoes form over land, while larger hurricanes form over warm oceans.

• Tools like thermometers and barometers help predict weather changes.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4