Factors That Affect Weather

The fact that water heats and cools more slowly than land causes many different types of weather.

What is the primary source of heat for land and water?

• energy from the Sun

• energy from electricity

• heat from friction in the air

• heat from inside the Earth

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

In which of the following ways can mountains influence climate?

• Mountains have a higher elevation than surrounding areas. Because these areas are closer to the sun, they enjoy a warmer climate.

• Mountains have no affect on the climate of an area.

• Mountains cause air to rise. The rising air cools, resulting in condensation and precipitation.

• Mountains interfere with moving air. The air moves up the mountain, and circles back down, eventually causing tornadoes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Brandy has built a computer model of a weather system. She has included information about bodies of water, the Sun, and the atmosphere. Brandy records the average daily temperature of a continental city that is at sea level (City A). She then records the noontime temperature of a continental city at the same latitude but at a greater elevation (City B). If all other factors in her model are the same for both cities,

• It will always rain in City B but never in City A.

• City A will have a higher temperature overall than City B.

• City B will have a higher temperature overall than City A.

• It will always rain in City A but never in City B.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The Sierra Nevada mountain range is located primarily in California. Warm, moist air from the Pacific Ocean travels up the western side of the mountain range, causing precipitation, and drying out as it reaches the top of the mountains. As the dry air comes down the eastern side of the mountain range, it causes a rain shadow. The Great Basin region of Nevada is located in this rain shadow. How does this affect the climate of the Great Basin region of Nevada?

• The rain shadow effect causes the Great Basin region to have very cold winters.

• The rain shadow effect causes frequent flooding in the Great Basin region.

• The rain shadow effect causes frequent tornadoes in the Great Basin region.

• The rain shadow effect causes the Great Basin region to have a very dry climate.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

When clouds pass over mountain ranges, precipitation often occurs on the seaward side of the mountain. Which of the following explains why this happens?

• The mountains release heat energy, which warms the water vapor in the air.

• The mountains force the clouds to rise and the air cools, condensation occurs.

• The mountains act as a barrier and prevent precipitation from falling.

• The mountains create a high pressure system which leads to rainfall.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The lower atmosphere is mostly warmed by radiated heat from Earth's surface. However, water heats up and cools down more slowly than land. Knowing this, which of the following statements is most likely true?

• On a cloudy day, the air over a southern section of the ocean will be warmer than the air over a northern section of the ocean.

• On a cloudy day, the air over a northern section of the ocean will be warmer than the air over a southern section of the ocean.

• On a sunny day, the air over a piece of land will be cooler than the air over a bordering lake.

• On a sunny day, the air over a lake will be cooler than the air over the bordering land.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following best explains why the latitude of a region influences its climate?

• The latitude of a region determines its proximity to the ocean.

• The latitude of a region determines the land forms present in the area.

• The latitude of a region determines how much sunlight the area receives.

• The latitude of a region determines its elevation above sea level.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which statement best describes how the distance from a large river affects an area’s climate in the summer?

• Regions far from rivers experience less variation in air temperatures.

• Regions far from rivers have land surfaces that remain cool during the entire season.

• Regions near rivers have water surfaces that rapidly change in temperature from cold to hot.

• Regions near rivers experience winds from the water that prevent extreme temperature changes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which describes how prevailing winds affect precipitation in a region?

• Prevailing winds force cool, moist air from oceans to rise.

• Prevailing winds blow in the opposite direction as normal winds.

• Prevailing winds cause huge air masses, both warm and cool, to move.

• Prevailing winds that move over land usually cause the most precipitation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which accurately describes one way that coastal mountains affect a region’s climate?

• They determine the way that large masses of cool, dry air move over land.

• They control the amount of water vapor present in cool, dry air masses.

• They decrease precipitation on the windward sides of mountain ranges.

• They force cool, moist air from oceans to rise as it moves toward land.