It’s Raining and It’s PouringBy: Lucy and Erin

•Way up High, Layers in the Sky•Around and Around•Wherever the Wind Blows Why Waves?•Pressure in the Weather•Sudden Changes•Run For Your Life!!!•Light or energy? What about both!•Iso… What?•Rain, Slow, Sleet, and Hail•Big, White, Puffy Things•When it Rains•How to Measure the Weather•T-Chart

Table of Contents

Although it may seem that the sky is endless and made up of one section of air, the atmosphere is actually divided into many segments called layers. These layers each have different properties and amounts of gases that cause different events to happen in each of the different segments.

Way up High, Layers in the Sky

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth%27s_atmosphere.jpg

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/a/atmosphere.asp.

There are four main layers of the atmosphere, the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and the thermosphere. The layer closest to earth's surface is the troposphere, which extends from zero to ten kilometers in height. Weather and the water cycle occurs in this section. The stratosphere is the layer on top of the troposphere, and has an elevation of ten to twenty five kilometers. The ozone layer, which protects earth's surface from harmful sunlight, is found within the stratosphere.

Way Up High, Layers in the Sky

http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/articles/nasa-earth-science-water-cycle

http://www.offthemark.com/cartoons/combovers/.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atmosphere_composition_diagram.jpg

Way Up High, Layers in the Sky

Way Up High, Layers in the Sky The next section, the mesosphere, is even taller than the stratosphere. It has an elevation of twenty five to one hundred kilometers. The layer furthest from earth's surface is the Thermosphere, which has a height of one hundred to four hundred kilometers. In this layer, meteorites and other space rocks burn up into tiny particles before reaching the ground. The Northern lights at the north pole also are formed in this layer. As the layers get further and further away from earth's surface, the denser gases sink downwards while the lighter gases stay high up in the atmosphere. Humans would not be able to survive in the stratosphere, mesosphere, or thermosphere because of the low oxygen levels.

Have you ever dried your shoes over a hot air vent? The way they cool is called convection. Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid. The suns heat causes convection in the Earth. the cool air falls and the warm air rises. As the warm air cools, it falls and the cool air warms and they switch places again. There are two main types of convection, natural and forced.

NaturalNatural convection is when the object or fluid transferring the heat, is inspired to move the heat on their own. This happens when the fluid or gas heats up and expands. Then buoyancy causes the warmer fluid to move up. This can also be called free convection.

Around and Around

http://chungpondemanisha.blogspot.com/2009/12/convection.html

ForcedForced convection occurs when an outside force pushes a fluid. A good example of this is a fan. Fans do not move the air on their own. They have to be turned on by a person and helped with electricity. Most types of forced convection are man made.

Forced convection and natural convection are very similar. When something has forced convection, it almost always has a tiny bit of natural convection in it as well.

Around and Around http://www.anandtech.com/show/437

http://igossip.com/fun-fonixcom-printable-clipart-images-for-phonics-worksheets

So where does the wind blow? The answer, in many, many directions. Wind currents each have different magnitudes, directions, and speeds.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://teachingboxes.org/jsp/teachingboxes/weatherEssentials/wind/sequence/lesson4_activity1.jsp

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/w/windy_day.asp.

There are many different types of wind currents, each with different names.

DoldrumsDoldrums are wind currents at the equator. They are calm and weak surface winds where warm air rises after evaporation. The trade winds on either side of the doldrums collide, causing the small amount of movement.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://www.leadthecompetition.in/QP/CDS/cds-2012(2)-solved-paper-C.html

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://www.kudzuacres.com/wwow/lessons/weather/Weather2007notes.htm

Trade WindsThe trade winds are thirty degrees north and south of the equator. In this area, the winds are calm, with few clouds and little rain. The warm air rising sinks as it gradually cools down. These winds blow from either north or south and move toward the equator.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-wind.htm

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/news/a355254/picture-cute-dog-walking-in-windy-weather.html.

Prevailing WesterliesPrevailing Westerlies are strong winds that are located in the belt between thirty and sixty degrees north or south. Due to their location, they strongly impact the USA's weather patterns. They blow away from the horse latitudes, which are the areas of little wind movement located at thirty degrees north and south.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://davgeogblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/prevailing-wind/

Polar Easterlies Polar Easterlies are cold, weak winds near the north and south poles that blow away from the poles. these winds influence the USA's weather in the north, bringing cold air downwards to states such as Main and Michigan.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s/755609-humidity-winter-new-england-vs-midwest-4.html

El NinoEl Nino is an event that occurs every two to seven years in the Pacific Ocean that causes wind patterns to change. One month, the climate might follow the typical pattern, but if El Nino happens in the next, the area will experience severe changes in weather.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/weather/elnino.html

http://niltimbadia.blogspot.com/2010/08/el-nino-and-la-nina-for-600th-time.html.

Coriolis EffectThe Coriolis Effect describes the way earth's rotation affects the current patterns of wind and water. In the Northern Hemisphere, it causes them to curve to the right, and in the Southern Hemisphere, it causes them to curve to the left.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/fw/crls.rxml

Local and Global WindsGlobal winds describe strong, steady winds that blow from a specific direction over long distances, while local winds are winds that travel very short distances.

Wherever the Wind Blows

LocalGlobal

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/texas/

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=57723

Sea and Land BreezesBreezes, Breezes, Everywhere. Whether from land to water (land breeze) or water to land (sea breeze) winds rule over the world.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.breezes

During the day, sea breezes occur when the warm air over land rises and the cool air from the sea replaces it.

During the night, land breezes occur when the cooler air from land moves out to the sea.

Jet StreamJet Streams occur really high in the sky, about ten kilometers above earth's surface. They are bands (like stripes) of really fast moving winds.

Wherever the Wind Blows

http://www.crystalinks.com/jetstream.html

Surface CurrentsSurface currents are rivers of water moving through the ocean. They are driven by winds and travel to a depth of several hundred meters. The northern surface currents move in a clockwise pattern, while the southern surface currents move in a counter-clockwise pattern. These currents affect the climate on the coast.

Why Waves?

http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/ocean_currents.html

Gulf StreamThe Gulf Stream is located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It flows from Florida northwestward toward North Carolina. It was discovered in the 1500s by Ponce de Leon. The Gulf Stream originates near the equator so it is a warm current. Most of the information we know about currents was discovered in the Gulf Stream by sailors.

Why Waves?

http://www.earthlyissues.com/gulfstream.htm

Density CurrentsDensity currents form when more dense seawater sinks beneath less dense coldwater. They occur deep in the ocean where wind is not a factor. It acts like a conveyer belt. The cold water from the ice caps is on the bottom and the warm water moves on the top.

Why Waves?

http://www.recreationalflying.com/tutorials/meteorology/section7.html

High Pressure High pressure occurs in areas with cooler wind temperatures. The denser, colder wind is more compacted than lighter, warm wind. In high pressure areas, the weather tends to be cold with little cloud formation and no precipitation.

Pressure in the Weather

http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_causes_high_pressure.htm

http://teachers.saschina.org/aolivas/2011/09/12/pressing-matters-2/.

Low PressureLow air pressure occurs in warmer areas because the air is not as dense. Storms form within these areas, with lots of precipitation and cloud formation.

Pressure in the Weather

http://www.hdwallpapersarena.com/hd-storm-wallpapers.html

Pressures and Other Symbols in Weather Maps

Pressure in the Weather

Snow

Cold Front

Isotherm High Pressure

Warm Front

Clouds

Occluded FrontLow Pressure

There are four main types of fronts; cold fronts, warm fronts, stationary fronts, and occluded fronts.

Cold FrontsThese fronts occur where a fast-moving mass of cold air meets with a slowly moving warm air mass. The cold air, which is denser, slides under the warmer air, forcing it to rise.

Sudden Changes

http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter11/cf_xsect.html

Warm FrontsThese fronts occur where a fast moving mass of warm air meets a slowly-moving mass of cold air. The lighter, warm air rises over the colder air.

Sudden Changes

http://duallayerdvdwallpaper.blogspot.com/2012/11/warm-front.html

http://wille29.wordpress.com/funny-comics/

Stationary FrontThese fronts occur where a warm and cold air mass meet, and neither moves faster than the other. The two different air masses cannot move each other, and creates a sort of “stand off”, hence the name “Stationary” front.

Sudden Changes

http://www.madscitech.org/tsn/training/btraining/btraining3.html

http://funnyasduck.net/post/11849.

Occluded FrontsThese fronts occur where a warm air mass is caught between two cold air masses. The warm air is forced upwards, and the cold air dives underneath.

Sudden Changes

http://oregonsbananabelt.blogspot.com/

Hurricanes and tornadoes are very dangerous natural disasters. They are both caused somewhat by wind, but hurricanes are in the ocean and cause damage when they travel to and, while most tornadoes are on land and cause damage wherever they touch down and travel. Some tornadoes, called waterspouts, appear on water not on land, but can move to land if they are close to it.

Tornadoes Tornadoes come from cumulonimbus clouds, or storm clouds. They are usually not at the base of the clouds. Tornadoes can also be called twisters or cyclones. They are spinning columns of air, moving a incredibly fast speeds. If they touch the ground, then they can cause a lot of damage to the area. Tornadoes are all different shapes and sizes, the larger, the more powerful, but most of the tornadoes we see are cylinder shaped. Meteorologists rate tornadoes on a scale of one to five, five being the most dangerous. The most extreme tornadoes have wind speeds of about 300 miles per hour, but most don't have wind speeds over 110 miles per hour. Tornadoes occur all over the world, except in Antatrica, but most appear in the U.S.'s tornado alley. Tornado Alley is located in the central U.S. area hitting states like Kansas, Oklahoma, and the top of Texas.

Run For Your Life!!!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado

http://bestclipartblog.com/26-tornado-clip-art.html/tornado-clip-art-8

HurricanesHurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, are storm systems with a low pressure center surrounded by a spiral of thunderstorms. They produce strong heavy winds and rain. Hurricanes are over the ocean and if they stay away from land, can be harmless to people. They can come onto land though and will stay strong for a while, knocking down buildings and trees, and flooding streets. They can also create tornadoes that will cause more damage. If you live near the coast, your house could be knocked. Unlike tornadoes, hurricanes can be seen before they reach land and while they are still forming, giving scientists time to warn people to evacuate coastal towns to prevent any injuries or deaths. This saves a lot of people each time a hurricane comes.

Run For Your Life!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone

http://www.efdlrs.com/~sunrise/wondersofword/act-1118.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/26/nyan-cat-hurricane-irene-_n_938398.html.

The sun affects weather in many ways, both through its heat and energy.The basics of all weather is the sun. It causes uneven heating and evaporation, which in turn causes precipitation, the entire water cycle, and different weather patterns and currents. In the Kingdom of weather, the sun is the supreme ruler.

Light or energy? What about both!

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/review/story-superstar/text-version.html

IsothermsIsotherms are the lines drawn on a weather map that represent areas with the same temperatures. Its like connecting the dots, except instead of numbers, its temperatures that are connected. They are always evenly spaced and either loop back on themselves or go off the edge of the map.

Iso… What?

http://www.middleschoolscience.com/isotherms.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/11/funny-and-honest-weather_n_458156.html.

Isobars Isobars are similar to isotherms, except instead of connecting areas with similar temperatures, they show areas of similar air pressure.

Iso… What?

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gl)/guides/maps/sfcobs/cntr/wind.rxml

Precipitation takes place when the water vapor in the clouds condenses and falls to the ground. Most people think that it is just rain, but it is actually rain, snow, sleet, and hail. All of them are different and come with different temperatures.

RainWhen water vapor condenses in the clouds, it is ice. But when it falls from the clouds, it can melt and change to rain if if it warm outside. Rain can also form when water droplets combine and make one big water drop. Rain can fall in showers or drizzles.

Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Hail

http://www.layoutsparks.com/pictures/rain-10

http://www.clipartpal.com/clipart_pd/weather/rain1.html

SnowSnow comes from the clouds if the temperature outside is cold, usually freezing or below. This is when the ice crystals do not melt and fall as snow. Water condenses around the ice and makes snow.

Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Hail

http://en.loadtr.com/soft_animated_falling_snow-425083.htm

http://bestclipartblog.com/18-snow-clip-art.html/snow-clipart-3

SleetSleet is not snow or rain. It is a mixture of both. The raindrops freeze on the way down This is why they are not as fluffy as snow. If they were to form in the clouds, not on the way down, they would be snow. Glaze is similar to sleet, but instead of freezing on the way down, it freezes as soon as it touches an object. It can make roads very slippery and freeze car doors shut. Sleet Glaze

Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Hail

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0117-sleet.php

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0118-freezing-rain.php

HailHail is formed in cumulonimbus clouds, or storm clouds. Deep within the clouds, ice crystals form and fall towards Earth. As they fall, wind gusts pick them up and carry them back to the top of the cloud and they grow in size as they fall again. This can happen multiple times, changing the size of the hail from small to large. If hailstones become too big for the wind to move them, they fall to Earth.

Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Hail

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/hail.htm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hail_RichmondHill2.jpg

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/how-much-rain-did-los-angeles-get-this-month

You may think that clouds are all the same, but there are three different types. They are Cumulus, stratus, and cirrus clouds.

CumulusCumulus clouds are puffy and white with a flat bottom. When cumulus clouds grow upward, they can turn into storm clouds or cumulonimbus clouds.

Big, White, Puffy Things

http://cloudsforscience.blogspot.com/

http://funny-absurd.blogspot.com/2011/04/funny-cloud.html

CirrusCirrus clouds are made of ice crystals. They are bright, white, with wispy edges. They look like thin strips of cloud in the sky.

Big, White, Puffy Things

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_cloud

When the temperature rises, or it gets hotter outside, the atmosphere expands and is able to hold more water vapor. But at night, when the temperature cools off, the atmosphere can't hold all of this water vapor. It releases it back to earth as tiny drops of water that settle on the ground outside. Dew point is the temperature that the water in the air condenses and turns back into water droplets, or turns into condensation. To condense, water vapor has to have tiny particles like dust from soil, salt crystals, and smoke present. Sometimes water vapor condenses onto cold, solids. This is called dew. This is why the grass and plants are always wet in the morning.

When it Rains

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0108-dew-point.php

http://www.wpclipart.com/plants/flowers/_D/dew_on_orchid.png.html

Scientists use satellite imaging and many different meteorological instruments to measure the weather.

BarometerBarometers are used to measure air pressure. Scientists use different air pressures to predict various different types of weather. If a barometer measures an area of low pressure, it is assumed that the conditions will be unstable, and it will most likely precipitate. If it shows an area of high pressure, people can expect a clear day with sunny skies.

How to Measure the Weather

Anemometer Anemometers measure wind speed, which can affect the temperatures by causing different degrees of wind chill. The faster and colder the wind, the lower the temperature will seem.

How to Measure the Weather

http://www.ilendoo.com/weather-forecasting-stone/.

Images Scientists often use satellite imaging to predict the weather. They can see the clouds covering earth's surface, and can see in which direction they are moving by looking at several photos over time. Also, they can view hurricanes and other large storms and estimate their size.

How to Measure the Weather

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/28/3567424/hurricane-sandy-nasa-satellite-photo

Hurricane

Lucy Erin•Convection•Ocean Currents•Hurricanes/ Tornadoes•Types of Precipitation•Types of Clouds•Dew Point

T-Chart

•Atmosphere•Wind Currents•High/ Low Pressure•Sun and Its Energy•Isotherm/ Isobar•How Scientists get images/ Meteorological Instruments

Both: Fronts and weather map