5th Grade SOL 4.6 Weather

state of the atmosphere at any time, including things such as temperature, precipitation, air pressure, and cloud cover. Daily changes in the weather are due to winds and storms. Seasonal changes are due to the Earth's rotation around the Sun.

the study of weather

people who study weather

how much heat energy is in the atmosphere

a tool that measures the temperature of the air

the measure of the weight of the air

a tool that measures air pressure

moving air

measures the direction of the wind

measures the speed of the wind

a tool that measures precipitation

rain, snow, sleet, or hail

the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air

the air that is the result of liquid water evaporating and becoming a gas

when a large mass of air and temperature and humidity meets another mass of air with a different temperature and humidity

most air is cool and usually from the big, violent clouds and thunderheads. Cool weather usually follows.

most air is warm and usually form the low flat clouds and bring rain. Warm, humid weather usually follows.

a prediction of what the weather will be in the future

a huge storm up to 600 miles across and strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75-200 mph. Usually lasts over a week, moving 10-20 mph over the open ocean. Gather heat and energy through contact with warm oceans. Evaporation from the seawater increased their power. Rotate counter-clockwise around the "eye." The "eye" is the calmest part.

a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. Can have winds in excess of 300 mph. Form from thunderstorms.

is a rotating cone-shaped column of air extending downward from the base of a thunderstorm, but not touching the ground. When it reaches the ground it is called a tornado.

a weak tornado that forms over water. They are most common along the Gulf Coast. Waterspouts can sometimes move inland, becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries.

created when small water droplets are caught in the updraft of a thunderstorm. They are lifted higher and higher until they freeze into ice.

a storm with lightning and thunder. Its produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, usually producing gusty winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail.

is a bright flash of electricity produced by a thunderstorm. All thunderstorms produce lightning and are very dangerous.

derive their energy from the clash of two air masses of different temperatures and moisture levels. Usually form when mass of cold, dry, Canadian air moves south and meets with a a warm, moist mass from the Gulf of Mexico.

is commonly formed when water vapor undergoes deposition, which is when water vapor changes directly to ice without first becoming liquid, high in the atmosphere at a temperature of less than 32 degrees and then falls to the ground.

is a long-lasting snowstorm with very strong winds and intense snow fall. You need 3 things for a blizzard: 1) cold air at the surface; 2) lots of moisture, and 3) lift.

made of ice crystals, six-sided and made of as many of 200 ice crystals. Snowflakes form in clouds where the temperature is below freezing. The ice crystals form around tiny bits of dirt that has been carried up into the atmosphere by the wind. AS the snow crystals grow, they become heavier and fall to the ground.

is just raindrops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. It can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.

rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.

winter storm caused by freezing rain. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25 inch of ice on exposed surfaces.

while ice crystals that form on a surface, like the ground or leaves of plant. Frost is created when the air temperature drops below freezing and the water vapor in the air freezes into ice crystals.

moving mass of snow that may contain ice, soil, rocks, and uprooted trees. Begin when an unstable mass of snow breaks away from a mountainside and moves downhill. Can reach speeds of 245 mph.

large collection of very tiny droplets of water or ice crystals. The droplets are so small and light that they can float in the air.

most common of the high clouds. Composed of ice and are thin, wispy clouds blown in high winds into long streamers. Usually white and predict fair to pleasant weather. When you see Cirrus clouds, it usually predicts that a change in the weather will occur within 24 hours.

uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky. Resemble fog that doesn't reach the ground. Light mist or drizzle sometimes falls from these clouds. Fog is a cloud on the ground.

white puffy clouds that look like pieces of floating cotton. "fair-weather" clouds. Base is flat and top is rounded towers. When top resembles cauliflower it is called a cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. They grow upward and they can develop into giant cumulonimbus clouds, which are thunderstorm clouds.

are thunderstorm clouds. High winds can flatten the top of the cloud into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and even tornadoes. The anvil usually points in the direction the storm is moving.

water droplets form from warm air. The warm air rises and cools. Water vapor form clouds, when they get big enough the droplets fall and we have rain.