Weather Study Guide

Relative Humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere and is
measured using a psychrometer or hygrometer.

Clouds form when water vapor condenses in the atmosphere.
*Temperature controls the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

Cloud Types:
I. Cirrus highest altitude, wispy, feathery clouds
II. Cumulus white and fluffy masses that indicate fair weather
III. Nimbus rain clouds
IV. Stratus low lying clouds associated with moisture
V. Cumulonimbus storm clouds

The importance of wind:
-Wind causes the speed and direction that a cloud takes.
-Because of the Earths rotation, wind currents form wind belts around Earth.
-Wind is created by the unequal heating of the atmosphere.
-Wind speed is measured using an anemometer.
-Wind direction is measured using a wind vane.

What makes up our atmosphere?
I. Nitrogen makes up the majority of gases in our atmosphere (78%)
II. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas in our atmosphere (21%)
III. Carbon dioxide and argon are the other two main gases (<1%)
a. Humans can have an impact on the atmosphere by cutting down trees.
b. The Ozone naturally protects us from incoming solar radiation.

Layers of the atmosphere
I. Troposphere where our weather occurs. The higher up you go, the colder it
gets
II. Stratosphere contains our ozone and is where jets fly. As altitude increases,
so does temperature
III. Mesosphere where meteors burn up. As altitude increases, the
temperature decreases
IV. Thermosphere highest and hottest of the layers and contains two sub
layers
a. Ionosphere where the northern lights occur
b. Exosphere where satellites are set
The higher in the atmosphere you are, the less dense the air is (harder to breathe)

Properties of Air

Air takes up space, has volume, and that volume can change. Air can exert pressure, move
and has mass.
-Warm air always rises
-Molecules in a cold air mass are closer together so they hold less water (high
pressure)
-Molecules in a warm air mass are farther apart, so they can hold more water (low
pressure system)

Air Pressure measured using a barometer
I. When air pressure falls, a low pressure system is moving inStormy
II. When air pressure rises, a high-pressure system is coming. Clear skies

Low pressure (L) and high pressure (H) on maps do not mean it will be cold (L) or hot (H).
Pressure systems are caused by fronts.

Types of Fronts

A front is a boundary between two air masses

I. Cold fronts takes the place of a warm front

II. Warm fronts takes the place of a cold front

III. Occluded front a warm air mass gets stuck between two cold air masses

IV. Stationary front where a warm and cold front meet but neither move

Types of Heat Transfer

I. Radiation the direct transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves (think of
the sun).
II. Conduction the direct transfer of heat from one substance to another that is
touching (think pot on a stove).
III. Convection the transfer of heat by a fluid or liquid movement (think of air
from an air conditioner).


Energy in the Atmosphere
All of our energy comes from the SUN! It powers the motion of the atmosphere and
oceans.
I. Energy from the sun comes to us by electromagnetic waves (radiation).
a. Some of the energy is absorbed into the ground and some it is reflected by
clouds.
b. Some energy gets trapped in our atmosphere creating a greenhouse effect
that warms our planet.

Severe Storms-involve changes in air pressure
I. Hurricanes occur over warm water in an ocean. Hurricanes get their energy
from warm, humid air can build in size and strength as they move across
water.
II. Tornadoes can result from severe thunderstorms. They develop in low,
heavy cumulonimbus clouds.

The high and low temperatures on a map are shown by placing the high temperature first,
then the low temperature second. For example, the high in Houston is 91 degrees.

Storm systems in the United States move from West to East. The storm system south of
Denver will slowly move East across the U.S.

Notice the different fronts that are located on the map and notice which directions they are
moving. Low-pressure systems (L) are near rainy areas and high-pressure systems are
where clear weather is. Not all weather maps show the exact same details.