Local Climate Review

Using the model below, how will a rooftop garden MOST LIKELY affect the air temperature on the roof?

• A. Plants both absorb and reflect more sunlight than asphalt, so the air above the garden will be cooler.

• B. Plants absorb less and reflect more sunlight than asphalt, so the air above the garden will be cooler.

• C. Plants both absorb and reflect less sunlight than asphalt, so the air above the garden will be warmer.

• D. Plants absorb more and reflect less sunlight than asphalt, so the air above the garden will be warmer.

The Rocky Mountains stretch from the southwestern United States to the western end of Canada. The Pacific Ocean is located to the west of the Rocky Mountains. During the winter months, the peaks often receive heavy precipitation, but the eastern side of the mountains can experience powerful, warm winds. When these winds pass over snowdrifts, the snow often vaporizes instead of melting. Use the illustration to model these wind patterns, assuming the left side of the mountain faces the ocean. Which of the following labels could be added to the model to best explain the wind patterns on the eastern side of the mountains?

• A. Left side: Cool, dry air moves up the mountain; Peak: Water condenses; Right side: Dry air warms as it moves down the mountain

• B. Left side: Warm, moist air moves up the mountain; Peak: Water condenses; Right side: Dry air warms as it moves down the mountain.

• C. Left side: Cool, moist air moves up the mountain; Peak: Condensation decreases; Right side: Dry air warms as it moves down the mountain.

• D. Left side: Warm, dry air moves up the mountain; Peak: Condensation decreases; Right side: Moist air warms as it moves down the mountain.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Cajamarca and Iquitos are two cities located in Peru. Both are located close to the equator. The map below shows the topography of the cities. The graph shows the monthly average precipitation and temperature for Cajamarca. What factor causes Iquitos to be warmer than Cajamarca despite being at similar latitudes?

• Iquitos would be warmer because it has a lower elevation in the rainforest.

• Cajamarca would be cooler because it has a lower elevation being in the Andes Mountains.

• Iquitos would be warmer because it has more trees due to the rainforest.

• Cajamarca would be cooler because it has more winter precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Rogue Valley is located in Oregon between the Siskiyou Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, and the Southern Oregon Coast Range. During the nighttime hours, this region has a wind pattern that is shown in the model below. How would this model change during the daytime hours?

• The sun heats the mountaintops, which causes the wind to move down the other side of the mountains.

• The sun heats the mountaintops, which causes the wind to strengthen as it moves down the mountainside.

• The sun heats the valley floor, which cools the air above the floor and causes the wind to completely stop.

• The sun heats the valley floor, which warms the air above the floor and causes the wind to move up the mountainsides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is the main reason Buffalo, New York, experiences lake-effect snow?

• It is located near the equator.

• It borders Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes.

• It has a desert climate.

• It is at a high altitude.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A decrease in ice cover on the Great Lakes would most likely have which effect on lake-effect snowfall?

• Increase lake-effect snowfall

• Decrease lake-effect snowfall

• Have no effect on lake-effect snowfall

• Completely stop lake-effect snowfall

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

If the Earth continues to warm as current trends in data suggest, how will this creek and nearby residents be affected?

• An increase in snowfall will cause lower water levels when the snow melts, and a decreased risk of flooding for nearby residents.

• A decrease in snowfall will cause lower water levels when the snow melts, and an increased risk of drought for nearby residents.

• A decrease in snowfall will cause higher water levels when the snow melts and a decreased risk of drought for nearby residents.

• An increase in snowfall will cause higher water levels when the snow melts and an increased risk of flooding for nearby residents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Which of the following best describes how the surfaces of Las Vegas, as seen in the photograph, affect the amount of sunlight that’s reflected and absorbed?

• The dark surfaces absorb more sunlight and reflect less, increasing temperatures.

• The light surfaces absorb more sunlight and reflect less, decreasing temperatures.

• All surfaces reflect the same amount of sunlight regardless of color.

• The surfaces in Las Vegas have no effect on sunlight absorption or reflection.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

How could modifying the surfaces of Las Vegas, as seen in the photograph, affect its temperature in a beneficial way?

• By increasing the amount of dark, paved surfaces, the temperature would rise due to more heat absorption.

• By increasing the amount of vegetation and lighter surfaces, the temperature would decrease due to more heat reflection.

• By removing all buildings, the temperature would remain the same.

• By covering all surfaces with metal, the temperature would decrease.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Fill in the blank: The sun heats up the surfaces of Las Vegas and that the surfaces warm the air above, which causes ______ to increase.

• temperatures

• clouds

• wind speed

• precipitation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6