All About Weather For Kids By: MacLean Bowie,Tanya Kiatsuranon, Libby Hurt
Weather takes place in the atmosphere. There are four layers of the atmosphere the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and then the thermosphere. They are in that order. Most weather takes place in the stratosphere from ten to twenty-five kilometers up. Some weather like wind can be in many layers of the atmosphere. Traveling from high to low air pressure. The thermosphere stops meteorites from hitting Earth and the stratosphere intercepts harmful infrared and ultraviolet light.
Convection Convection is the transfer of heat and energy in gases and liquids through their molecule movements. Solid's molecules are too tightly packed for them to move around. Convection is involved in the condensation phase of the water cycle. When upward flowing currents form clouds.
Wind Currents Wind currents are currents in the open sea caused by wind. If the current is in the northern hemisphere than it will head to the right of the way the wind is blowing. If the wind is blowing in the southern hemisphere than it will head to the left of the way the wind is blowing.
Ocean Currents Ocean currents are caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon or sun. Although the sun is much bigger the mooner has a bigger impact because of the distance. The Earth's rotation also plays a large part in tides, controlling whether it is high or low tide. The winds have very little impact of tides.
Pressure Low pressure is an area where the atmosphere pressure is lower than the area around it.This usually happens with high winds, and warm air. Precipitation occurs in low pressured areas. High pressure is the opposite low winds and cold air.
L=Low H=High
Fronts Fronts are the boundary between two air masses different temperature and humidity. This causes precipitation.There are many fronts like, warm/cold fronts, and occluded fronts.
Warm Front
Cold Front
Occluded Front
Types of Fronts Cold Front- A cold front happens when a cold air mass replaces a warm air mass. Warm Front- When warm air mass passes over the cold air mass, and the air starts to cool. Occluded Front- A occluded front happens when a warm front is taken over by a cold front and an air mass is forced up.
Hurricanes A hurricane is a storm with violent winds. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters. Sometimes they strike land. When a hurricane reaches land, it pushes a wall of ocean water ashore. This wall of water is called a storm surge. Heavy rain and storm surge from a hurricane can cause flooding.
Tornados A tornado is a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of up to 300 mph.They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide to 50 miles long. In an average year, 1000 tornadoes are reported nationwide.
The Sun The sun is the center of our solar system. Most planets revolve and receive light from it. The sun is a medium star. It is about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) away from earth. The sun has a diameter of 864,000 miles (1.4 million kilometers). The Earth's mass multiplied by 330,000, would be equal to the mass of the sun.
The Sun's Energy The energy coming from the sun to the Earth's surface is called solar energy. In the form of electromagnetic waves this energy is then transmitted from the nucleus towards the surface of the Sun and further on in the surrounding space. The Sun's energy is generated in its core.
Weather Maps & Symbols A weather map is a picture of a forecast. Meteorologist use them to show the weather of certain places to people.There are many symbols for weather maps. Weather maps are used in the news when a meteorologist is telling the weather.
Weather Maps & Symbols
Weather Maps & Symbols Weather forecasting is a prediction of what the weather will be like in an hour, tomorrow, or next week. Weather forecasting involves a combination of computer models, observations, and a knowledge of trends and patterns. By using these methods, reasonable accurate forecasts can be made up to seven days in advance.
Isotherm and Isobar Isotherm is a line on a map that connects points that have the same temperature at a certain time or average over a period of time. This can also be known as a curve in the diagram that represents equal temperature. The isobar is different than the Isotherm This has a line on the map that connects the points that have the same atmospheric pressure. It's a curve in the diagram that represents constant pressure.
Types of Precipitation Snow ~ Ice crystals that forms into flakes. This forms at temperatures below freezing. (32 degrees fahrenheit) ) Freezing Rain ~ Liquid precipitation that reaches the surface greater than 0.5 (1/2) millimeters. These drops then freeze on earth. Sleet ~ Frozen raindrops that strike the earth's surface. This is a little above freezing and some of the snow melts of earth.
Rain ~ Liquid precipitation that reaches the surface in forms of droplets.
Types of Clouds There are 4 different types of clouds, the Cirrus, Stratus, Cumulus, and Cumulonimbus The cirrus cloud ~ These have high altitudes, and are composed of mostly ice crystals. These are thin and feather like. They come out when the weather is mild and stable. Stratus Clouds ~ These are the lowest of the low altitude clouds. These are made up of water drops. They come out when the sky is overcast. Cumulus Clouds ~ These are lower and composed of water drops. They can be made into icicles when the weather is cold. They are puffy white clouds and travel in packs. Cumulonimbus Clouds ~ The highest of all clouds in the atmosphere, they can form thunder, heavy winds and rain, tornados, and lightning.
Dew Point ~Dew point is the temperature below where water droplets begin to condense and dew will be able to form.
How Scientists get Images Scientists get images of earth using satellite images, to get pictures of the earth and keep update once in a while to be able to predict upcoming weather conditions.
Meteorological Instruments used by scientists Barometer ~ This measures atmospheric pressure Anemometer ~ This measures velocity or air pressure Wind Vane ~ Shows the direction of wind Rain Gauge ~ Gather and measure the amount of liquid precipitation Thermometer ~ This measures temperature Ceilometers ~ Measures the base of the cloud height
Who Did What MacLean: Vocab 1-5 (Plus I made this slide) Slides: 2-5 and a portion of 6 Libby: Vocab 6-11 Slides: 7- 15 and the other portion of 6 Tanya: Vocab 12-17 Slides: 16 - 21