Weather Assessment Mi-Star

1. Your class is planning an outdoor field trip at 4 pm tomorrow. Today’s weather is warm, sunny, and dry but you want to be prepared for tomorrow’s weather conditions. There are hourly forecasts available up until 3 pm tomorrow.

Figure 1 shows an example of weather report information.

Your task is to predict tomorrow’s weather at 4 pm using your understanding of air mass interactions and weather forecast patterns. 

In Figure 1, “chance of rain” is shown as a PERCENTAGE because __________ . Choose one answer below.

• 1. weather is easy to predict so forecasts are always accurate

• it describes how much rain is going to fall

• weather is complex and can only be predicted using probability

• rain is guaranteed to occur

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The air mass over a location determines the location’s __________ . Choose all answers that apply.

• 1. rock type

• temperature

• hours of sunlight

• pressure

• humidity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The weather forecast patterns in Figure 2 show that the most likely temperature conditions at 4 pm tomorrow will be __________ . Choose one answer below.

• 1. 52 F

• 1. 64 F

• 72 F

• 85 F

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Describe the type of air mass interaction that is occurring between 12 noon and 4pm. May be more then 1 answer

• freezing rain

• The weather forecast indicates a cold air mass is moving into the area

• snow

•  colliding with a warm air mass between 12 noon and 4 pm.

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Describe how the temperature and precipitation forecast patterns in Figure 2 are evidence of the air mass interaction you’ve identified.

• The forecast is for the weather to change between 12 noon and 4 pm

• The forecast is for the weather to change between 12 noon and 6 pm

• The forecast is for the weather to change between 2pm and 4 pm

• The forecast is for the weather to change between 12 midnight and 4 pm

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

• Describe how the temperature and precipitation forecast patterns in Figure 2 are evidence of the air mass interaction you’ve identified. 

• temperatures to increase and the chances of precipitation (and clouds) to increase.

• temperatures to decrease and the chances of precipitation (and clouds) to decrease.

• temperatures to decrease and the chances of precipitation (and clouds) to increase.

• temperatures to increase and the chances of precipitation (and clouds) to decrease.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

• Describe how the temperature and precipitation forecast patterns in Figure 2 are evidence of the air mass interaction you’ve identified. 

•  By 6 pm the weather pattern will continue to change to cooler temperatures, and no clouds or rain are likely as the warm air mass is replaced by a cold air mass

•  By 4 pm the weather pattern will continue to change to warmer temperatures, and clouds and rain are likely as the cold air mass is replaced by a warm air mass

•  By 2 pm the weather pattern will continue to change to cooler temperatures, and clouds and rain are likely as the warm air mass is replaced by a cold air mass

•  By 4 pm the weather pattern will continue to change to cooler temperatures, and clouds and rain are likely as the warm air mass is replaced by a cold air mass

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Changes in weather are caused by the interaction of _____ of different _______ 

• mountains; plains

• air masses; temperatures

• air fronts; altitudes

• clouds; kinds

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

1. Scientists have identified a weather system in Pennsylvania  (Figure 3). They want to use a weather model to forecast the weather in a specific location in the state.

Your task is to use weather data to identify the air masses, complete a weather model, and use it to make a precipitation prediction for a given location.

Warm air has __________ compared to cold air. Choose one answer below.

• 1. the same pressure

• 1. higher pressure

• 2. lower pressure

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Figure 4 is a partial weather model on a county map of Pennsylvania:

• Surface temperature values for some Pennsylvania counties are provided in the boxes .

• The Weather Front is shown as a line.

• Three surface locations (A, B, C) are marked on the map.

Based on Figure 4, precipitation is most likely occurring CURRENTLY at __________ . Choose one answer below.

• location A

• location B

• location C

• location A & C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5