West Wing Weather Whimsy

Why do scientists collect data about the amount of water vapor in the air?

• A. to determine humidity levels
• to monitor evaporation rates
• to predict wind speed and direction
• to determine atmospheric pressure

Which is the most useful data scientists can use to help determine drought conditions?

• weather radar and satellite pictures
• wind speed records and temperature records
• rainfall measurement and barometric pressure
• rainfall measurement and lake and river water levels

Which method of collecting weather data is most likely to be accurate?

• collecting daily from the same place at the same time
• collecting daily from different places at different times
• collecting weekly from different places at the same time
• collecting weekly from the same place at different times

Jane wants to measure the amount of precipitation in her backyard for the month of January. Which weather instrument should Jane use?

• barometer
• rain gauge
• thermometer
• weather vane

Look at the temperature table.
Which temperature was MOST likely recorded at 12:00 p.m.

• 47
• 50
• 55
• 59

Which statement about Hawaii refers to its climate?

• A blizzard occurs one day on one of Hawaii’s tallest mountain peaks.
• A high temperature of 37.8°C was recorded earlier today in Hawaii.
• The mountains were shaded by cumulus clouds on a Tuesday afternoon.
• The coolest months are February and March.

A student states the weather is the same as the climate. Which response BEST tells the student the difference between weather and climate?

• Weather is about the wind and the rain, but climate is about the clouds.
• Weather is the conditions in one day, but climate is the conditions over a long time.
• Weather is measured with tools like thermometers, but climate is measured with tools like forecasts.
• Weather is recorded on charts, but climate is recorded on world maps.

Which is true of the seasonal weather patterns of places that are at the same latitude?

• They have the same wind patterns.
• They have the same amount of rain.
• They have the same amount of direct sunlight.

Which observation describes a change in climate rather than a change in weather?

• The thunderstorm dropped about three centimeters of rain today.
• The average summer temperatures have increased over the last ten years.
• The snowfall in this area was more this week than it was last week.
• The average wind speed in April was less than it was in March.

Which statement is accurate about seasonal temperatures in North Carolina?

• The temperatures are varied during each of the different seasons.
• The average temperature stays close to 60°F during most seasons.
• It is difficult to notice the change in temperatures between seasons.
• It is difficult to predict what the temperatures will be during each season.