What Causes our Daily Weather?

1.Energy from the Sun; 2. The uneven heating of the Earths surface

Factors that Affect the Rate of Heating of Earths Surface

1. Amount of Cloud Cover 2. Latitude 3. Time of Day 4. Time of Year (Season)

1. Temperature 2. Air Pressure 3. Wind (Speed and Direction) 4. Moisture

(Precipitation & Humidity)

DEFINITION: Average kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance On a weather map, Temperature patterns are shown using Isotherms Definition: Lines that connect points of equal temperature

Mercury Barometer

Aneroid Barometer

In the U.S., toward what general compass direction does weather move?

Weather moves from west to east across the U.S.

Go to ESRT page 14

45N
Using the chart on page 14, state 75N the prevailing wind direction for each latitude 20N below: o

45S

25 S 80oS

o 15 N

Jet Stream Winds Fast moving, high altitude winds that circle the entire Earth

Winds are influenced by the Coriolis Effect

The force of gravity causes the air to have weight this creates air pressure.

Variables that cause air pressure to change:

1. Altitude
2. Moisture 3. Temperature

Effect of Altitude on Air Pressure

Pressure

Altitude

Effect of Moisture on Air Pressure

As atmospheric moisture increases, air pressure decreases.
Pressure

Moisture

Effect of Temperature on Air Pressure

As air temperature increases (air molecules move farther apart), air pressure decreases.
Pressure

Temperature

Air Pressure

Go to ESRT page 14

In a low pressure area, air will (rise, sink) because the air is (less, more) dense. This is because the air is (cold, warm).

In a high pressure area, air will (rise, sink) because the air is (less, more) dense. This is because the air is (cold, warm).

Millibars (mb) 1007.0

Inches of Mercury (in. of Hg) 29.44

1022.0
29.35 996.0

Isobar Line that connects points of equal air pressure.

Rule: The closer the isobars are to each other (smaller spacing), the faster the wind velocity.

Draw isobars at an interval of 4 millibars on the following map.

Converting Barometric Pressure

On a weather station model, only the last three digits of the air pressure reading (in mb) are shown minus the decimal point. 138 To convert the station model reading back into millibars, follow these steps: 1. If the first digit of the air pressure is between: 0 and 4, add a 10 6 and 9, add a 9 2. Decimal point in between the last two digits.

Ex. #1 Ex. #2

138 962

10138 9962

1013.8 mb 996.2 mb

 In the Northern Hemisphere, winds move INWARD AND COUNTERCLOCKWISE __________________________around a LOW PRESSURE ______________________center. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds move OUTWARD AND CLOCKWISE ________________________around a HIGH PRESSURE _________________________center.

Correctly draw the direction of wind flow around both a high and a low pressure area in the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE.

Low Pressure System

High Pressure System

Air Mass Pressure Systems

High Pressure pressure
systems bring air that is dry and cool H is cool and dry Winds move out and CW

Low Pressure bring air that

contains moisture and is warmer L is stormy and moist Winds move in and CCW

low pressure
warm or cold air air rising or sinking clouds or no clouds clockwise or counterclockwise wind direction winds toward or away from the center

high pressure

On the diagram below, determine if this is a land breeze or a sea breeze?

Correctly draw the diagram in your notes.

Correctly draw this diagram in your notes.

The primary source of energy for the water cycle is the SUN

Moisture in the Atmosphere

The primary source of moisture for the atmosphere is the OCEAN

Transpiration
The evaporation of water vapor from plant surfaces

A natural process that cleans the atmosphere

Sleet

Rain

SNOW

Saturation: a condition in the atmosphere in which the air is holding the maximum amount of water vapor = 100% relative humidity

Absolute Humidity

The actual amount of water vapor in the air

Relative Humidity Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air compared to what the air can "hold" at that temperature.

At what time did the air have the greatest capacity to hold water? At what time during the day were the air temperature and dewpoint closest?

Relative Humidity vs. Temperature

If temperature increases and moisture content in the air remains the same, the relative humidity will decrease.

Relative Humidity vs. Actual Water Vapor Content

If the moisture content of the air increases and temperature remains the same, relative humidity will increase.

Assume both are under the same temperature conditions

Relative Humidity vs. Time of Day

Coolest time of day (morning Time of Highest Relative Humidity = time right before sunrise)

Time of Lowest Relative humidity =

Warmest time of day (~ 3pm)

Using the chart on page 12 of your ESRT, determine the Relative Humidity for the following data:

Dry Bulb Wet Bulb Relative Humidity (%)

20 14 51

8 6 74

22 13 33

22 20 83

15 12 70

15 15 100

3 -1 39

RH Chart

The temperature at which air is holding the most water vapor that it can hold at that temperature.

Dew Point vs. Relative Humidity

As Dew Point increases, Relative Humidity increases. The closer temp and D.P. get, the higher the relative humidity

Dew Point vs. Relative Humidity

As Relative
Humidity

increases,
the chance for precipitation increases

Using the chart on page 12 of your ESRT, determine the Dew Point for the following data:

Dry Bulb Wet Bulb Dew Point (oC)

22 20 19

22 13 5

20 14 10

15 12 10

9 3 -7

8 6 3

17 17 17

Dewpoint Chart

Dew Point
The drier the air, the more
evaporation will occur,

resulting in more cooling. the difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb will be

GREATER

Dew Point
The more humid the air,
the less evaporation will occur,

resulting in less cooling.

the difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb will be

SMALLER

Dew Point
When the air is saturated
(100% relative humidity), the difference between the dry bulb and the wet bulb will be..

0oC

Clouds are tiny droplets of liquid water or tiny ice crystals suspended in air

Why are clouds found at different heights?

Clouds form when water vapor condenses onto microscopic dust particles or other tiny particles floating in the air called CONDENSATION NUCLEI. Air Temperature needs to cool to the Dew Point in order for the air to become saturated. The greater the difference between the Dew Point and Air Temperature the further up the air will have to travel before it reaches its Dew Point.

4 EXAMPLE Air Temp= 40C Dewpoint Temp= 10C 3 Cloud Height=? Altitude (km)

0 10 Temperature (C) 40

Please go to page 13 of your Earth Science Reference Table

Cloud Cover

Temperature

Current Weather

..

76 55

138 3\

Wind Direction & Speed

Dewpoint

Barometric Trend

Barometric Pressure

Note: Temperature and Dewpoint are expressed in oF

Mapping Isotherms on a Weather Map