Science Name_______________________

A Middle School Survival Guide’s

Weather Patterns WebQuest

Includes: Three page guided webquest for

students to read, analyze, and apply information independently using websites..

24 1

Science Name_______________________

Weather Patterns Web Quest

Directions: Type in the URL for each site. Read the website. Then, follow the instructions to complete the problems. Have fun!

Explore the website: http://okfirst.mesonet.org/train/meteorology/AirMasses.html

1. Complete this diagram by labeling the 6 air masses. (hint: there are 6 blanks, but only 5 different types of air masses…)

2. What type of weather is associated with each?

Air Mass Name Air Mass Weather

Science Name_______________________

Explore the website www.PHSchool.com. Type in code “cfp 4031” and click “Go”.

1. Click “Start” and look at the four sections of the activity in the left column. 2. Watch each of the four sections. Read the captions at the top of each section. 3. What are the four types of weather fronts? Write their names on the lines below.

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4. Which statement correctly describes the four types of weather fronts? a. At a front, warm air masses rise over cold air masses. b. Rain, snow, or another type of precipitation may result from a front. c. A front cuts off warm air from the ground. d. A front moves quickly in and out of an area.

Science Name_______________________

Explore the website: http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/primer/primer2.html

1. Read the first two sections: “Lightning” and “Thunder”. 2. Summarize the steps of lightning formation. _________________________

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3. Explain why you see the lightning before you hear thunder.

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Explore the website: http://learn.fi.edu/weather/lightning/detection.html

Complete the following sentences:

On average lightning kills about ___________________ Americans and injures many more. Since the 1970’s, meteorologists have used the National Lightning Detection Network to locate and track thunderstorms. Lightning detection images show ______________________, allowing meteorologists to determine where the most severe storm activity is.

Explore the website: http://wunderground.com/US/Region/US/IRSatellite/html Based on the satellite view of today’s cloud cover, which parts of the country might get unsettled weather today? _____________________________________________________________

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Explore the website: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/investigate/weather_maker.htm

1. Change the dials on the “Weather Maker” to create different types of weather. 2. On the dials below, write a letter to show where the dials were for types of weather… S = Sunny C = Cloudy O = Overcast LS = Light Snow LR = Light Rain