Transcript Layers of the Atmosphere

LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
SEA BREEZE VS. LAND BREEZE
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CORIOLIS EFFECT
The Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect determines the direction of global winds.
If the Earth did not rotate global winds would blow in a straight line from the poles toward the
equator. Because the Earth is rotating from West to East it makes the wind have a curved path.
Northern hemisphere = turn toward right
Southern hemisphere = turn toward left
GLOBAL WINDS
Global Wind Belts
The Coriolis effect and other factors combine to produce a pattern of wind belts
and calm areas around Earth. Match the descriptions of the global winds with their
location on the globe.
USING WEATHER MAPS TO PREDICT WEATHER
Meteorologist-scientist who studies weather, gathers info about precip., temp,
air press, and atmospheric conditions
-seasonal variations
-global winds (trade winds, polar easterlies,
westerlies)
-ocean currents
-get info from satellites and radar
Air Pressure-air pushing on things it comes into
contact with
-low pressure-air slowly rises
-clouds form
-air masses move toward LP
areas
-weather = rainy, cloudy
-high pressure- air slowly sinks
-good clear weather
-air mass pushed out toward LP
Air Masses-lg. body of air with same prop. thru’ out
-properties depend on where it is formed
-continental polar (cP)- dry, cold
-maritime polar (mP) – wet, cold
-maritime tropical (mT) – wet, warm
-continental tropical (cT) – dry and warm
-continental arctic (cA) – dry, very cold
USING WEATHER MAPS TO PREDICT WEATHER
Fronts-boundary between two air masses
-most changed in weather occur at fronts
-high pressure  low pressure at fronts
-shapes point in direction front is moving
-half circles = warm front
-triangles = cold front
-both = stationary front
Warm Front- warm moist air slides up over cold air
masses
-clouds form
-light drizzle or rain
-after passing clear and warm weather
Cold Front- cold air mass pushes under a
warm air mass, warm air rises sharply
-tall cumulonimbus clouds form
-heavy rain, thunderstorm and snow
-after passing, cold and clear weather
Stationary Front- warm air mass meets cool air
mass, neither moves
-light winds, wet weather
-can stay in one place for days
Weather Map-summarizes weather in an area
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

What affect do ocean currents have on the
climate of coastal areas?
 Ocean
currents have no effect on climate
 Ocean currents always cool a coastal area and
create a warm climate
 Ocean currents warm the land constantly and
create a warm climate
 Ocean currents can warm or cool the air above
them and influence the climate
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

An instrument that measures changes in air
pressure
 Anemometer
 Thermometer
 Psychrometer
 Barometer
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

How does air pressure change with increasing
altitude?
 Increases
 Decreases
 Remains
the same
 Air pressure is not related to altitude
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Weather occurs in which layer of the
atmosphere?
 Troposphere
 Stratosphere
 Mesosphere
 Thermosphere
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

An air mass that forms over land is classified as
 Polar
 Continental
 Tropical
 Maritime
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

The boundary where air masses meet and
storm often develop is called a(n)
 Front
 Cyclone
 Anticyclone
 Jet
stream
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

How do weather satellites help scientists
forecast weather?
 The
predict the weather
 They provide images of weather systems
 They cause weather
 They interpret weather