HCE: weather and climate

The kinds of data that reflect climate are different from the conditions described in weather data. Which of the following is a description of climate?

• Today it is hot and sunny in Phoenix, Arizona.

• Summers are usually mild in Lansing, Michigan.

• Last week it rained every day in San Antonio, Texas.

• Yesterday was cold and windy in Anchorage, Alaska.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following is NOT a statement the meteorologist would make about the weather?

• The high temperature will be 55°F and the low will be 37°F.

• A cold front is bringing in colder weather.

• The wind speed will increase to 25 mph in the afternoon.

• The average weather condition of the area is rainy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Students at an elementary school set up a weather station in 1985. The fifth grade classes have been responsible for measuring and recording the daily temperature, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation, and cloud cover every year.

Which characteristic of the area would students be able to describe only after 30 or more years?

• Weather

• Climate

• Atmospheric disturbances

• Earthquakes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The table shows some weather data collected over a five-day period. What pattern over the five days can be observed in the collected data?

• There was more rain on the warmer days.

• Rain came along with lower temperatures.

• There were fewer clouds as the week went on.

• Temperature increased during the week.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

On a summer day which clouds are most likely to bring rain?

• thin, fluffy clouds
• red clouds at sunset
• thick, dark-gray clouds
• clouds that look like white sheep

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which is the warmest climate zone?

• Arctic Zone
• Temperate Zone
• Tropical Zone
• Intermediate Zone

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Most water vapor in the atmosphere comes from 

• evaporation from oceans.
• evaporation from soil.
• transpiration from plants.
• the burning of fossil fuels. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following is typical of a tropical climate?

• cold, dry air
• cool, moist air
• hot, dry air
• warm, moist air

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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 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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5