Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Severe WeatherSevere Weather
Investigation 5-2Investigation 5-2
WeatherWeather
What is Weather? How would you describe the weather today?
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere (air close to Earth’s surface)
Can be described in terms of several weather factors, or weather variables
What is Weather? How would you describe the weather today?
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere (air close to Earth’s surface)
Can be described in terms of several weather factors, or weather variables
Important Weather Variables
Important Weather Variables
Amount of water in the airHumidity, rain, snow, fog, or clouds
Amount of movement in the airWind
Amount of heat in the airThermometer measures temperature
Amount of water in the airHumidity, rain, snow, fog, or clouds
Amount of movement in the airWind
Amount of heat in the airThermometer measures temperature
When weather factors are all mild - weather is goodClear, calm, and warm
When one or more factor is intense - weather is badUncomfortably wet, dry, windy, hot, or
coldWhen one or more factor is
dangerously out of typical range - weather is extreme - Severe weatherStormy with heavy amounts of rain or
snow, intensely windy, dangerously hot or cold, or other combination of extremes
When weather factors are all mild - weather is goodClear, calm, and warm
When one or more factor is intense - weather is badUncomfortably wet, dry, windy, hot, or
coldWhen one or more factor is
dangerously out of typical range - weather is extreme - Severe weatherStormy with heavy amounts of rain or
snow, intensely windy, dangerously hot or cold, or other combination of extremes
Today’s WeatherToday’s Weather Comment on today’s weather in terms
of three main variablesMoisture, heat, movement
MoistureWater evaporates, becomes water vapor
HeatSolar energy heats surface, heat transfers
to air molecules Movement/Wind
Uneven heating produces air masses of different temperatures and densities
Denser air flows under less dense airFlowing air mass is wind
Comment on today’s weather in terms of three main variablesMoisture, heat, movement
MoistureWater evaporates, becomes water vapor
HeatSolar energy heats surface, heat transfers
to air molecules Movement/Wind
Uneven heating produces air masses of different temperatures and densities
Denser air flows under less dense airFlowing air mass is wind
Severe WeatherSevere WeatherHow do everyday weather events
turn into severe weather?Turn to page 227, Severe WeatherComplete Severe Weather
QuestionsWhat causes tornadoes?What causes hurricanes?How does the water cycle affect
weather in California?How does the ocean influence the
weather in California?
How do everyday weather events turn into severe weather?
Turn to page 227, Severe WeatherComplete Severe Weather
QuestionsWhat causes tornadoes?What causes hurricanes?How does the water cycle affect
weather in California?How does the ocean influence the
weather in California?
VocabularyVocabularyWeather variables
Include amount of moisture, movement, and heat in atmosphere
Severe weatherExtreme and out of the ordinary in one
or more waysHurricane
Huge column of spinning air and waterForms over warm ocean waterGains energy from warm water until it
travels over land
Weather variablesInclude amount of moisture,
movement, and heat in atmosphereSevere weather
Extreme and out of the ordinary in one or more ways
HurricaneHuge column of spinning air and waterForms over warm ocean waterGains energy from warm water until it
travels over land
VocabularyVocabularyTornado
Column of spinning airForms over landWarm, moist air encounters a mass of
cold airThunderstorm
Electric rainstormForms when a cold air mass runs into
a warm air massDrought
Extended period of below-normal precipitation
TornadoColumn of spinning airForms over landWarm, moist air encounters a mass of
cold airThunderstorm
Electric rainstormForms when a cold air mass runs into
a warm air massDrought
Extended period of below-normal precipitation
ContentContentWhat is the Sun’s role in weather?
Solar energy is responsible for all weather, all changes in weather
Solar energy heats Earth’s surface, evaporates water, and drives wind
What is the ocean’s role in weather?Oceans are main source of water
vapor for precipitationOceans moderate temperatures along
coastlinesYour questions?
What is the Sun’s role in weather?Solar energy is responsible for all
weather, all changes in weatherSolar energy heats Earth’s surface,
evaporates water, and drives windWhat is the ocean’s role in
weather?Oceans are main source of water
vapor for precipitationOceans moderate temperatures along
coastlinesYour questions?
