Science Study Guide: Types & Predicting Weather

The following diagrams show the formation of air masses over different areas. Which air mass contains the warmest air?

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Radar uses radio waves to detect objects. It works by bouncing waves off objects to determine their location, size and speed. For which of the following purposes do meteorologists use Doppler radar?

• to determine the location of storms

• to determine cloud type and humidity

• to measure yearly precipitation amounts

• to determine the difference in temperature between two fronts.

Evan watches the weather report on the news. The announcer states that an air mass formed over a tropical ocean is moving into the area where Evan lives. Which type of weather can Evan expect?

• cold and dry

• warm and dry

• cold and wet

• warm and wet

Consuela records the following information in her science journal: "The temperature is 10 °C, the wind speed is 5 km/hr, and the barometer reads 752 mb." Which of the following is Consuela describing?

• atmosphere

• climate

• precipitation

• weather

Precipitation is water that falls to Earth. Hail, Sleet, Rain and Snow are four types of precipitation. Which type of precipitation is most likely to occur when the cloud and air temperatures are several degrees above freezing?

• hail

• sleet

• rain

• snow

Lila observes that the sky is covered with a sheet of thick, gray clouds. What kind of weather is most likely to occur?

• rainy

• sunny

• very cold

• windy

Which of the following is the main cause of wind?

• high humidity

• difference in air pressure

• lack of precipitation

• low temperatures

A person observing weather conditions states that the wind in an area is blowing at 5 km/hr. Which tool could the weather observer have used to gather this information?

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The weather in Sam's town has been cool and very cloudy for several days. Then, steady rain falls for a day, and the temperature gets warmer. What is the best explanation for this weather pattern?

• A hurricane has formed at sea.

• An area of low pressure is moving in.

• A warm front has moved through the area.

• A cold front is stalled over the area.

Which of the following BEST explains why storms occur along cold fronts?

• Cold air pushes warm air downward, causing condensation and cloud formation.

• Cold air pushes warm air upward, causing condensation and cloud formation.

• Warm air pushes cold air downward, causing condensation and cloud formation.

• Warm air pushes cold air upward, causing condensation and cloud formation.