All About Weather

Before you start watching, explain how clouds form and precipitation happens.

What does mass mean?

• Mass means the amount of matter in an object.
• Mass is a measure of an object's speed.
• Mass refers to the weight of an object in water.
• Mass is the distance between two objects.

Select the areas where a warm air mass would form.

Select the areas where a cold air mass would form.

What is a front?

• A front is a measurement of temperature.
• A front is a line of thunderstorms.
• A front is a type of weather phenomenon.
• A front is a boundary between two different air masses.

Use the text below to gain a deaper understanding of the difference between warm and cold fronts.

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The key difference between a cold front and a warm front is in how the cold and warm air masses move and interact.

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Cold Front – The Bulldozer

Imagine a strong, fast-moving warrior (cold air) charging forward into a peaceful, warmer land. A cold front happens when a cold air mass moves in and forces warm air to rise quickly. Since cold air is denser, it pushes underneath the warm air like a bulldozer. This rapid lifting of warm air causes tall clouds and intense weather, like thunderstorms, heavy rain, or even snow if it’s winter.

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Warm Front – The Gentle Climb

Now, picture a warm, slow-moving breeze gently gliding over a resting cold land. A warm front occurs when warm air slowly moves over a retreating cold air mass. Since warm air is lighter, it rises above the cold air gradually, creating gentler, widespread clouds and steady rain instead of sudden storms.

In both cases, warm air ends up above cold air, but in a cold front, the lifting is fast and dramatic, causing storms. In a warm front, the lifting is slow and steady, bringing prolonged, lighter rain. Does that help

Groups:

(a) Cold front

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(b) BOTH

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(c) Warm front

• Can cause thunderstorms

• Can cause light rain

• Quick, forceful

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• Slow, gradual

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• Warm and cool air masses collide

Which describes a stationary front?

• A stationary front is a type of storm system.
• A stationary front is a boundary between two air masses that are not moving.
• A stationary front is a moving boundary between warm and cold air.
• A stationary front is characterized by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

They give the example of an occluded front being like a sandwich because the warm air is the filling inside the cool air (bread). How could this metaphor explain the 2 cold air masses squeezing the warm air up and out of their way?

Select the location where there is good weather.

Which kind of cloud does lightning occur in?