Benchmark SC.912.E.7.5

Predict future weather conditions based on present observations and conceptual models and recognize

limitation and uncertainties of such predictions.

Bellwork Questions

42. How does Earth’s rotation impact ocean and air currents?

43. What are the four main types of air masses?

44. What are the causes of stormy weather? -fair weather?

Coriolis effect (also called the Coriolis force) is defined as the apparent deflection of objects (such as airplanes, wind, missiles, and ocean currents) moving in a straight path relative to the earth's surface. Its strength is proportional to the speed of the earth's rotation at different latitudes but it has an impact on moving objects across the globe such ocean and air currents.

What is The Coriolis effect?

Coriolis effect

Bellwork Questions

42. How does Earth’s rotation impact ocean and air currents?

43. What are the four main types of air masses?

44. What are the causes of stormy weather? -fair weather?

Air MassesAir masses are masses of air that have the same characteristics of the surface over which it develops.

Pressure Systems

descending (going down)=High pressure

ascending (going up)=Low pressure

What are Air masses?

What are the two main pressure

systems?High

Pressure>

Low Pressure>

Air Masses

Type of Air Mass Characteristics

1) Continental Polar (cP)

dry and cold

2) Continental Tropical (cT)

dry and warm

3) Maritime Polar (mP) wet and cold

4) Maritime Tropical (mT)

wet and warm

cP cT mPmT

These are four types of air masses important in understanding weather & climate.

The air temperature and humidity is determined by WHERE the air mass

formed.http://video.about.com/weather/Types-of-Air-Masses.htm

Bellwork Questions

42. How does Earth’s rotation impact ocean and air currents?

43. What are the four main types of air masses?

44. What are the causes of stormy weather? -fair weather?

The 4 Weather Fronts

Warm front

Cold front

Occluded front

Stationary Front

A Cause of Stormy Weather

#1Stormy Weather is generally associated within an air of low pressure, where warm moist air rises, or is forced to rise and condense at a considerably rapid rate. The intensity of the lifting mechanism, humidity (water vapour content) and thus ambient temperature, determine the strength/ferocity of the storm.

Fronts: the boundary between 2 air masses

Warm Front: warm air slides over departing cold air- large bands of precipitation form and sometimes stormy weather.This is the symbol on a map for a warm front

In the case of cold fronts: Typically cold fronts move faster than their warmer counterparts. The combination of higher speed and slope push warm air masses upward very quickly. This quick upward air movement causes the warm air being displaced to cool quickly, becoming turbulent. This turbulence often can be the cause of extremely violent weather.

A Cause of Stormy Weather

#2

A Cause of Stormy Weather #2: Cold

FrontsCold air pushes under a warm air mass. Warm air rises quickly=narrow bands of violent storms form but after results in clear & cool skies.

This is the symbol for a cold front

A Cause of Stormy Weather #3:

Occluded Front 2 air masses merge and force warm air between them to rise quickly. Strong winds and heavy precipitation will occur

This is the weather map symbol for an occluded front

Stationary Front Warm or cold front stops moving. Light wind and precipitation may occur across the front boundary

This is the weather map symbol for a stationary front

Reading a weather map

ISOBAR= connects areas of equal pressure BAR comes from BARometric pressure

Reading a weather map...

Isotherm: Connects areas of equal temperature; therm means temperature