Weather ForecastingWeather Forecasting

4.8A Measure and record changes in weather and make predictions using weather maps, weather symbols, and a map key.

4.8A Measure and record changes in weather and make predictions using weather maps, weather symbols, and a map key.

Why do we predict the weather?

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere outside at any given time.

The weather can change quickly and is sometimes even dangerous!

People need to know how the weather might change while they are playing or working outdoors.

Weather Forecasting. Weather Forecasting.

Earth has weather because it is surrounded by layers of air called the atmosphere. Weather is what is happening in the atmosphere at a certain place and time. Most weather occurs in the lowest layer of the atmosphere.

Weather Forecasting. Weather Forecasting.

Weather is not something we can control. Meteorologists are scientists who study weather and try to predict it. They use what they learn about changing conditions in the atmosphere to predict the weather for the next few days or week. These predictions are called weather forecasts.

Weather ForecastingWeather Forecasting

Weather happens because the sun warms the Earth more at the equator than it does at the poles. This uneven heating causes large masses of air with different temperatures to form. As these air masses move, they cause changes in the weather.

Weather happens because the sun warms the Earth more at the equator than it does at the poles. This uneven heating causes large masses of air with different temperatures to form. As these air masses move, they cause changes in the weather.

Weather ForecastingWeather Forecasting

Weather has six main factors:

• Temperature

• Air pressure

• Wind speed

• Humidity

• Precipitation

• Cloudiness

Weather has six main factors:

• Temperature

• Air pressure

• Wind speed

• Humidity

• Precipitation

• Cloudiness

Weather ForecastingWeather ForecastingThe more data meteorologists can gather, the better they can forecast the weather.

Meteorologists use a variety of tools to collect different weather data.

Weathering ForecastingWeathering ForecastingThe most common weather tools are:The most common weather tools are:

A A thermometerthermometer is a is a weather tool used weather tool used

to measure the to measure the temperature.temperature.

By observing By observing wind vaneswind vanes, , we can know thewe can know the direction direction

of the of the wind. wind.

An An anemometer anemometer is a is a weather tool that weather tool that measures measures wind wind

speed.speed.

Weathering ForecastingWeathering ForecastingThe most common weather tools are:The most common weather tools are:

BarometersBarometers measure measure air pressureair pressure. .

Knowing the air Knowing the air pressure can help pressure can help

predict fair or rainy predict fair or rainy weather.weather.

A A rain gauge rain gauge is used to is used to collect collect precipitationprecipitation. Using . Using

measurements on the measurements on the side, you can see how side, you can see how much precipitation fell.much precipitation fell.

Clouds are made of water, either small liquid water drops or tiny pieces of ice.

Meteorologists rank clouds according to their height and whether they are puffy or flat.

Clouds reflect weather patterns and play a role in what the weather does. They are sources of precipitation as well as affect the temperatures of our atmosphere. Clouds block incoming sunlight during the day, which cools the air, but they can also block outgoing radiation from the Earth, which can warm temperatures.