Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________________________
Aim#21: Weather and Climate
Figure 1: Uneven Heating 1. What is the shape of the Earth? ____________________________________________________
2. How does this affect the angle at which the Sun’s rays hit the Earth? ________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Due to the angle of the Sun’s rays, how does the temperature of the Earth near the
equator compare to the temperature of the Earth near the poles?____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. When the Sun’s rays hit Earth’s surface, it will be absorbed by either
____________________ or ____________________.
Uneven heating of the Earth’s surface cause differences in both temperature and air
pressure at different areas. This results in changes in weather and climate, for
example wind and air masses! Air masses (large areas of the troposphere with
distinct temperature, humidity, and air pressure) are then pushed by prevailing winds
and upper air currents. As they move over different areas, different weather
conditions occur.
Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________________________
Aim#21: Weather and Climate
Figure 2: Air Masses
*Use the diagram to answer the following questions:
1. Continental (cP, cT) air masses originate
from ____________________, bringing
_______________ air.
2. Maritime (mP, mT) air masses originate
from _______________, bringing
_______________ air.
3. Tropical (cT, mT) air masses originate from
_______________, bringing _______________
air.
4. Polar (cP, mP) air masses originate from
_______________, bringing _______________
air.
Figure 3: Fronts
The place where air masses meet is known as a
____________________.
In the diagrams above, a cold air mass pushes below a warm air mass causing the warm
air to rise. This creates an area of Low pressure along the front.
Low pressure = Bad Weather (clouds and precipitation) – occurs along fronts
High pressure = Fair/Good weather – occurs in the middle of air masses
In the United States, weather (air masses and fronts) usually move from West to East
because we are located mid-latitude. (Think: East coast (NY) usually gets the storm last)
Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________________________
Aim#21: Weather and Climate
Extreme Weather Conditions: After looking at the diagrams and watching the National
Geographic video “Extreme Weather on our Planet”, fill in the chart below to describe
different weather events discussed.
(http://education.nationalgeographic.org/activity/extreme-weather-on-our-planet/)
Weather Events
Characteristics
Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________________________
Aim#21: Weather and Climate
Weather vs. Climate:
Figure 4: Weather map vs.
Climate map
1. Describe a similarity between
these two maps.
2. Describe any differences
between these two maps.
3. How can we use this
to explain the difference
between climate and
weather?
4. Weather:
a. Describe the weather in Manhasset:
5. Climate:
a. Describe the climate in Manhasset:
6. How can this difference be used to explain why parts of last winter and this winter have been
extremely cold despite the fact that the Earth is warming?
Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________________________
Aim#21: Weather and Climate
1.
3.
2.
4.
5.
a b
Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________________________
Aim#21: Weather and Climate
7.
a. b. c. 8. Compare the maps in question 3 and question 7. Which one is showing weather conditions?
Which one is showing climate conditions? Explain your answer.