6th Grade Science Weather Science Study Guide

Climate vs. Weather

  • Key Concepts:

    • Climate: The average weather conditions in a region over a long period.

    • Weather: The current atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.

Graphic Organizer Completion

  • Climate Key Words: Predict, Temperature, Precipitation

  • Weather Key Words: Forecast, Wind patterns

Planetary Heating and Wind Patterns

  • The Earth's surface heats unevenly due to various factors (land, water, etc.).

  • This uneven heating causes:

    • Sea Breezes: Occur during the day when land heats faster than water; air rises over land, creating lower pressure.

    • Land Breezes: Occur at night when land cools faster than water, leading to higher pressure on land, causing air to flow from land to sea.

Jet Streams

  • Definition: Fast flowing, narrow air currents in the atmosphere.

  • Effects on Weather:

    • Can influence weather patterns by pushing air masses and fronts, thus affecting precipitation and temperature.

Impact of Increased Evaporation

  • If evaporation rates increase:

    • Water levels in lakes and rivers will decrease.

    • Higher humidity might lead to more precipitation.

Factors Affecting Weather

  1. Temperature

  2. Air Pressure

  3. Humidity

  4. Wind

  5. Topography (landforms)

Coastal Areas vs. Inland Areas

  • Coastal areas (like Florida) have milder winters due to the influence of ocean water, which retains heat better than land.

Pressure Systems

  • High-Pressure System (HP): Characterized by sinking air, leading to clear skies.

  • Low-Pressure System (LP): Characterized by rising air, often resulting in precipitation and stormy weather.

River and Ocean Interaction

  • When a warmer river enters a cooler ocean:

    • Warmer water stays on top because it is less dense.

    • Cooler, denser water sinks.

Water Cycle and Weather Patterns

  • The water cycle plays a crucial role in influencing:

    • Rainfall patterns.

    • Climate by affecting local humidity levels and potential for precipitation.

El Niño vs. La Niña

  • El Niño: Characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific, often causing extreme weather patterns globally.

  • La Niña: Characterized by cooler ocean temperatures, often resulting in opposite weather effects.

Gulf Stream and Climate

  • If the Gulf Stream ceased to flow:

    • England would experience more extreme winters and harsher weather conditions.

Coriolis Effect

  • Definition: The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.

  • Causes: Results from the differing rotational speeds of the Earth at various latitudes, affecting wind and ocean currents.

Weather vs. Climate Assessment

  • Weather (W):

    • Today is rainy.

    • Tomorrow will be sunny.

  • Climate (C):

    • The average temperature for February is 65°F.

    • Hurricane season is from June 1-November 30.