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Meteorology
th
4
Grade Science
EQ:
What is meteorology?
What are the 5 layers of the
atmosphere?
Meteorology K-W-L
Know
Want to Know
Learned
What is meteorology?
• Root and suffix
– meteor means “things high
in the air, atmosphere”
– ology means “the study of”
Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and
weather.
Layers of the Atmosphere
Key Terms
atmosphere- the mass of air surrounding Earth
ionosphere- the portion of the Earth’s atmosphere where
ionization created by solar radiation affects radio waves
mesosphere- the layer of atmosphere above the
stratosphere and below the thermosphere, where
temperature decreases with height
stratosphere- the portion of Earth’s atmosphere between
the troposphere and the mesosphere where temperature
increases with height
troposphere- the lowest portion of Earth’s atmosphere
where most weather occurs and temperature
decreases with height
Exosphere:
atmosphere is extremely thin here. The upper part is the
beginning of true space. Some manmade satellites orbit the Earth within this
layer.
Thermosphere:
The air is very thin here, but very hot- thousands
of degrees hot! It is heated by the Sun’s energy. Both the space shuttle and
the International Space Station orbit in the middle-to-upper part of this layer.
Also the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) occurs in this layer.
Mesosphere:
This is the coldest layer. Temperatures are as low as 90 C
(-130 F). Although the air is thin, it is still thick enough to burn up meteors.
Stratosphere: Most of the ozone in our atmosphere
is found here.
Some weather balloons can reach the lower part of this layer.
Troposphere: This is the layer closest to Earth, where all living
things are found. It is also the layer where weather occurs and jets fly.
Meteorologist for A Day Project
Objective:
Demonstrate understanding of meteorology by delivering an
informative and accurate weather forecast as part of a four member
collaborative meteorological team.
Important Dates:
Script Due- February 13, 2015
Tentative Presentation- February 27, 2015
Evaluations:
Peer Review
Teacher Review
EQ:
What is weather?
What is climate?
Weather Key Terms
air pressure- the force of the atmosphere on its surroundings
anemometer- a tool for measuring wind speed and direction
barometer- a tool for measuring air pressure
prevailing wind- air that moves in a consistent direction over time
temperature- the degree of hotness in an environment
thermometer- a tool for measuring temperature
weather map- a map showing the principal weather conditions in a
region at a given time
weather- state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, caused by
temperature, humidity, and wind velocity
weather satellite- a satellite that observes the conditions of earth
and atmosphere, including cloud cover
Meteorology Instruments
barometer
measures air pressure
rain gauge
measures precipitation
anemometer
measures wind speed
and direction
thermometer
measures temperature
Anemometer
• Meteorologist use an
anemometer to
measure wind speed.
• The Greek root
“anemos” means
wind.
• The Greek root
“meter” means
measure.
EQ:
Identify the symbols for a high
pressure, low pressure, cold front,
warm front, and stationary front.
Weather Fronts Key Terms
air mass- a large body of air that has similar horizontal temperature
and moisture characteristics
cold front- the boundary between an advancing cold air mass and a
retreating warm air mass
high pressure system- location where the force of the air is greater
than the surrounding atmosphere; usually air spirals outward in a
clockwise direction- generally results in cool, fair weather
low pressure system- location where the force of the air is less than
the surrounding atmosphere; usually air spirals inward in a
counterclockwise direction- generally associated with precipitation
prevailing wind- air that moves in a consistent direction over time
warm front- the boundary between an advancing and rising warm
air mass and a retreating cold air mass
High and Low Pressure? Huh?
H
L
Weather Map Symbols
H
Cold Front
High Pressure
Warm Front
L
Low Pressure
Stationary
Front
Sunny
Partly Sunny
Cloudy
Thunderstorm
Rain
Snow
EQ:
What are the 5 basic parts of the
water cycle?
Water Cycle Key Terms
condensation- the process in which gas turns into a
liquid
evaporation- the process in which liquid changes to a
gas
percolation- the process in which water seeps through
the layers of soil down to the bedrock.
precipitation- water droplets and ice crystals in clouds
that become too large to remain suspended in the
atmosphere and so fall to earth; ex: rain, snow
radiation- energy directed outward from a source in the
form of waves or particles
run-off- the process in which water follows the force of
gravity to lower points, usually in the form of a stream
or river.
transpiration- water released into atmosphere from
plants in the form of vapor
The Water Cycle -Hydrologic Cycle
Solar
radiation
Condensation
The Hydrologic Cycle
“Raining cats and dogs”
• England
• Australia
Wet All Over!
EQ:
Name 3 basic cloud types.
Types of Clouds Key Terms
cirrus cloud- a kind of cloud that has a feathery or wispy
appearance and is found at high levels in the
atmosphere
cumulus cloud- a kind of cloud that has a flattened base
but a puffed appearance with rounded tops and can be
found at all altitudes
stratus cloud- a relatively uniform thin, flat sheet of cloud
that occurs in the atmosphere’s lower levels
thunderhead- the swollen upper part of a thundercloud
cumulonimbus- a kind of cloud that has a flat bottom, but
a swollen upper part shaped like an anvil. It is
associated with thunderstorms.
Water Cycle Processes
evaporation- liquid changes to a gas
condensation- vapor changes to a liquid
precipitation- water falls back to the earth as
rain, snow, sleet, or hail
What is a cloud?
A collection of tiny water drops or ice crystals
in the atmosphere
• 3 basic types
– Cirrus
– Cumulus
– Stratus
Cirrus
• Thin, wispy
• Look like feathers,
horsetails
• Made of ice
• Form high in the sky
Cumulus
•
•
•
•
Puffy, white
Look like cotton
Flat bottom
Form at middle level
Stratus
• Flat layers
• Look like sheets or
blankets
• Cover most of the sky
• Gray or white
• Often lowest clouds
What kind of weather?
• cirrus-fair weather near future, storm is on the way
• cumulus-when they grow tall, a thunderstorm may
form soon.
• stratus-increase means rain, drizzle, or snow is on the
way. If they lift quickly in the morning, signals a
fair day.
EQ:
How is a hurricane and a tornado
similar?
How is a hurricane and a tornado
different?
Severe Weather Key Terms
hurricane- a large tropical storm with winds greater than
74 miles per hour
lightning- an ionized stream of particles flowing between
two oppositely charged areas (either between two clouds
or between the clouds and Earth)
thunder- sound produced by the rapid heating and
expanding of air in the path of a lightning discharge
tornado- a very fast spiraling wind caused by an extreme
drop in pressure and rising air, often associated with
funnel-shaped cloud with a diameter of only a few
hundred yards/meters
Hurricanes
•
•
Develop over warm water
Spin
– N. Hemisphere counterclockwise
– S. Hemisphere clockwise
•
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Formed from thunderstorms
Rain
Powerful storm
Summer-Fall
•
•
•
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•
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Winds > 74 mph
Can be 500 miles across
Also called cyclones/typhoons
Hurricane Hunters
Tracked by satellite
Storm Surge
Tornadoes
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
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Formed from super-cell
thunderstorms
Rain
Powerful storm
Summer-Fall
Winds can be 300 mph
Last 20 seconds to 1 hour
Storm Chasers
Tracked by satellite
Most occur in the United States
Hurricane
Tornado
Channel 13 News
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L
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H
H
Bill Nye “Science Guy”
Atmosphere
23 min