8th Grade Texas Weather TEKS

What are the primary factors that influence Texas weather?

• Population density, number of lakes, distance from the equator

• Number of highways, amount of farmland, size of the state bird population

• Proximity to the Pacific Ocean, average income, number of national parks

• Size, location, proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Rocky Mountains

Explain the difference between weather and climate.

• Weather only refers to temperature, while climate refers to all weather variables

• Weather and climate are the same thing

• Climate only refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while weather refers to long-term patterns

• Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other weather variables.

How does the Gulf of Mexico affect Texas weather?

• It influences humidity levels, provides moisture for precipitation, and contributes to the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes.

• It causes extreme cold temperatures in Texas

• It leads to drought conditions in Texas

• It has no impact on Texas weather

Describe the typical weather patterns in Texas during the summer months.

• Cool and breezy with frequent fog

• Hot and dry with occasional thunderstorms

• Cold and snowy with frequent blizzards

• Mild and rainy with occasional hurricanes

What role does the jet stream play in Texas weather?

• It causes hurricanes in Texas

• It can influence temperature and precipitation patterns.

• It only affects the weather in other states

• It has no impact on Texas weather

Explain the impact of El Niño and La Niña on Texas weather.

• El Niño and La Niña have no impact on Texas weather

• La Niña brings wetter and cooler conditions to Texas

• El Niño brings drier and warmer conditions to Texas

• El Niño and La Niña can bring wetter and cooler conditions to Texas during El Niño, and drier and warmer conditions during La Niña.

What are some common severe weather events in Texas and how do they form?

• Some common severe weather events in Texas include earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes form when warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air, creating instability in the atmosphere. Tsunamis form when warm, moist air rises and cools, creating clouds and precipitation. Volcanic eruptions form over warm ocean waters, where moist air rises and condenses, releasing heat and causing air pressure to drop.

• Some common severe weather events in Texas include tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and flash floods. Tornadoes form when warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air, creating instability in the atmosphere. Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises and cools, creating clouds and precipitation. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters, where moist air rises and condenses, releasing heat and causing air pressure to drop. Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the capacity of the local drainage system.

• Some common severe weather events in Texas include blizzards, sandstorms, and droughts. Blizzards form when warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air, creating instability in the atmosphere. Sandstorms form when warm, moist air rises and cools, creating clouds and precipitation. Droughts form over warm ocean waters, where moist air rises and condenses, releasing heat and causing air pressure to drop.

• Some common severe weather events in Texas include blizzards, hailstorms, and sandstorms. Blizzards form when warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air, creating instability in the atmosphere. Hailstorms form when warm, moist air rises and cools, creating clouds and precipitation. Sandstorms form over warm ocean waters, where moist air rises and condenses, releasing heat and causing air pressure to drop.

Discuss the importance of understanding weather forecasts and warnings in Texas.

• It is important for staying safe during severe weather events.

• It has no impact on safety

• Understanding weather forecasts is only important for farmers

• Weather forecasts are always inaccurate

How does topography influence weather patterns in different regions of Texas?

• Topography has no impact on weather patterns

• Topography only affects temperature in Texas

• Topography affects temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns

• Topography causes hurricanes in Texas

Describe the impact of global climate change on Texas weather.

• Global climate change leads to cooler temperatures and less extreme weather in Texas

• Global climate change can lead to more extreme weather events in Texas, including increased heat waves, droughts, and intense storms.

• Global climate change has no impact on Texas weather

• Global climate change only causes mild weather changes in Texas