weather unit test

Weather

Atmospheric conditions of a certain place at a certain time.

Weather Impact

Affects daily lives by changing what we wear and do.

Climate

The average weather of a place over 30 years.

Low Pressure

Atmospheric condition associated with stormy weather.

High Pressure

Atmospheric condition associated with fair weather.

Predicting Weather

Cloud patterns can be used to forecast upcoming conditions.

Anemometer

Instrument used to measure wind speed.

Wind Vane

Instrument that points where wind is coming from to show direction.

Temperature and Humidity

Higher temperatures are usually associated with higher humidity.

Ceiling

The measurement of how high the clouds are.

Humidity

How much water vapor is in the air.

Wind

The movement of air.

Temperature

The measurement of air temperature.

Cirrus (Ci)

Thin, wispy clouds above 20,000 ft; indicate fair weather or change.

Cirrostratus (Cs)

Thin, sheet-like clouds creating halos; indicate rain/snow within 24 hours.

Cirrocumulus (Cc)

Small, white, rippled clouds; indicate cold fair weather or tropical storms.

Altocumulus (Ac)

Mid-level ripples; warm morning sightings may indicate afternoon thunderstorms.

Altostratus (As)

Gray/bluish mid-level sheets; indicate a storm with continuous rain/snow.

Stratus (St)

Low, uniform layered clouds; indicate overcast days or light drizzle.

Cumulus (Cu)

Puffy, cotton-like clouds; indicate fair weather but can grow into storms.

Stratocumulus (Sc)

Low, lumpy, grayish clouds; indicate generally fair weather or light drizzle.

Cumulonimbus (Cb)

Massive towering clouds with anvil tops; indicate thunderstorms and lightning.

Nimbostratus (Ns)

Dark, thick low-level clouds; indicate steady, long-lasting precipitation.

Cumulus Congestus

Tall, cauliflower-like towers; indicate impending heavy showers.

Atmospheric Heating

Light hits ground, transforms to heat, and enters air via conduction.

Conduction

Heat transfer by direct contact, typically solid to solid.

Greenhouse Effect

Heat trapped in atmosphere by gases like CO₂ or methane.

Color and Heat

Darker colors absorb more heat.

Conductors vs. Insulators

Metals conduct heat while nonmetals are better insulators.

Wind Movement

Air moving horizontally.

Convection

Heat transfer between gases and/or liquids.

Air Density and Heat

When air heats up, it becomes less dense and rises.

Cold Air Density

Denser than warm air because molecules are closer together.

Convection Currents

The circular motion of rising and sinking air.

Density Definition

The amount of mass per unit volume.

Storm Energy Source

Thermal energy from the ground, originally from the sun.

Barometer

Instrument used to measure air pressure.

Dew Point

The temperature when gas becomes a liquid (saturates).

Evaporation

The process of a liquid becoming a gas.

Front

The boundary where warm and cold air masses meet.

High-pressure Air

Cool, dense air.

Low-pressure Air

Warm, less dense air.

Warm Front (Mechanism)

Warm air moves fast and slides over a retreating cold front.

Cold Front (Weather)

Heavy precipitation, sudden temp drop, and thunderstorms.

Cold Front (Symbol)

Blue line with triangles pointing in the direction of movement.

Warm Front (Weather)

Widespread clouds, steady prolonged rain, fog, and gradual warming.

Warm Front (Symbol)

Red line with half-circles pointing in the direction of movement.

Stationary Front

Boundary stalls; causes extended periods of continuous rain and overcast skies.

Occluded Front

Fast cold front lifts warm air; purple line with alternating symbols.

Weather Map Features

Shows fronts, air currents, precipitation, temperature, and pressure areas.