Severe Weather Review

Meteorologists often try to predict what the high temperature of a day will be several days beforehand. Why do meteorologists not try to predict the high temperature of a day six months in the future?

• Meteorologists have this information but choose not to share it with the public.

• Weather does not follow any predictable patterns.

• Weather is a highly complicated system that is very difficult to predict.

• It is impossible to know what season it will be six months in the future.

A cold air mass and a warm air mass are predicted to meet. What type of weather can be expected between the two air masses?

• cold weather

• stormy weather

• dry weather

• warm weather

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The weather map below shows a zone of possible flash flooding in front of a cold front.

If the cold front continues to move toward the southeast,

• the zone of possible flash flooding will also move toward the southeast.

• no flash flooding will occur.

• the zone of possible flash flooding will enlarge to cover the entire United States.

• the zone of possible flash flooding will move toward the northeast.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The conditions in a local area include temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, and humidity. The combination of all these conditions determines

• the climate in the area.

• the geology in the area.

• the weather in the area.

• the time of day in the area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A weather map of the United States is shown below.

What type of weather will Salem most likely experience as the approaching front passes over?

• heavy snow

• icy and clear

• dry and hot

• light rain

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

To prepare for the first day of school, Jeremy watches the weather forecast on television. The weather map he sees is shown below. "H" indicates a high pressure system, "L" indicates a low pressure system, the blue line with triangular symbols indicates a cold front, and the red line with semicircular symbols indicates a warm front. A mixture of the two indicates a stationary front.

If Jeremy lives at point _______, he can expect mild weather conditions for his first day of school.

• Z

• X

• Y

• W

Answer explanation

The weather map shows several different regions that are forecast to experience several weather types. Point X lies in the high pressure system, which will create fair weather conditions. Point W lies in the low pressure system which produces clouds and rain, Point Y lies under the influence of warm front where showers are expected, and Point Z lies close to the cold front which would experience rain or storms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Weather is best defined as

• a prediction of atmospheric conditions in the coming season.

• the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place.

• a pattern of regional temperature, precipitation, and humidity.

• the study of the entire atmosphere and how it changes over time.

Answer explanation

Weather is best defined as the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place. For example, the weather in one location may be "clear and sunny" at 10 AM, "cloudy and windy" at 12 PM, and "rainy with thunderstorms" at 2 PM.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which of the following statements about air masses is true?

• Air masses are responsible for creating holes in the ozone layer.

• Air masses are created by patterns of heating and cooling of the Earth's surface.

• Air masses are areas of condensed water vapor, which are also known as clouds.

• Air masses maintain the same moisture and temperature as they move over new areas.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following factors drives all the weather on Earth, including large-scale storms and local weather systems?

• The Coriolis effect curves the motion of wind due to the Earth's rotation.

• The ocean holds thermal energy more efficiently than land.

• The greenhouse effect ensures that some thermal energy will always be trapped near the Earth's surface.

• The Sun heats up the air at different rates, and the atmosphere undergoes changes to equalize temperatures and pressures.

Answer explanation

The Sun's unequal heating of the air is the driving force behind all weather systems on Earth. As the atmosphere undergoes changes to equalize temperature and pressure, fronts and storms are created

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Solar energy heats the surface of the Earth, including the ground, rocks, and even roadways. As the temperature of these surfaces increases, heat energy is released back into the atmosphere, forming a pocket of warm air. As the warm air pocket rises, it is replaced by cooler air. This process is responsible for many of the weather patterns in our atmosphere, and is known as

• evaporation.

• convection.

• conduction.

• transpiration.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5