Transcript Weather in Atlantic Canada

Weather in Atlantic
Canada
Chapter 3
Condensation
• Occurs when moist air rises and cools,
forming clouds.
• Air rises because of being warmed from
below (convectional condensation),
meeting a colder and denser air mass
(frontal condensation) or it may be blown
over high ground. (orographic
condensation)
Wind
• Wind is air that is moving from an area of
high pressure to an area of low pressure.
• An area of low pressure occurs when air
above a warm surface is heated and rises.
• An area of high pressure forms when
cool air sinks towards the surface, pushing
the air underneath away.
• High winds can develop between areas of
high and low pressure.
Climate
• Average conditions of temperature, precipitation,
humidity, air pressure and wind.
• Precipitation refers to rain and snow and other
forms of water particles in the atmosphere
• Our climate is usually humid and relatively cool.
• Weather is the conditions of the atmosphere
over a short period. Climate is weather averaged
over a period of time.
• We have a Maritime climate!
Atlantic Maritime - a maritime climate, with temperatures moderated by
the Atlantic Ocean, and large amounts of precipitation.
Air Masses
• Volumes of air with similar temperature
and moisture conditions are air masses.
• Continental artic air feels cold and dry.
Maritime tropical air feels warm and moist.
Maritime polar air feels cool and moist.
• The leading edge of an air mass is called
a front. Fronts bring the characteristics of
the air masses that drive them and change
the weather.
Ocean Currents
• Currents move water from place to place. There
are two ocean currents that greatly affect our
climate.
• The Gulf Stream, an ocean current originating
in the gulf of Mexico, brings warmth to our
waters, while warming and bringing moisture to
the air masses above it.
• The Labrador Current brings cold to our waters
while cooling and bringing moisture to the air
above it.
• Water has a moderating effect….cooler in
summer, warmer in winter.
Fog
• Fog occurs when water vapour forms in air with particles that are too
small to fall as rain and remain suspended in slow moving air.
Meteorologist
• Weather expert who studies conditions in the
atmosphere for the purpose of making weather
forecasts.
• Weather radar stations are especially useful in
detecting. Locating and measuring the amount
of precipitation in clouds.
• Satellite imaging is very useful in making
weather forecasts.
• A Radiosonde is a piece of equipment carried
into the atmosphere by a small balloon in order
to collect information about the upper
atmosphere.
Cindy Day - Meteorologist
Discussion questions
• Page 41, 1. a, b and c
• Page 42, 1. a and b