Name ___________________________________
Test Date: Feb 23rd (B Day), Feb 24th (A Day)
SOL 4.6
Science Study Guide – Weather
Parent Signature: __________________________
The student will investigate and understand how weather conditions and phenomena occur and can be predicted. Key
concepts include
a) weather measurements and meteorological tools (air pressure – barometer, wind speed anemometer, rainfall – rain
gauge, and temperature – thermometer); and
b) weather phenomena (fronts, clouds, and storms).
Measure precipitation with a rain gauge;
Analyze and report information about temperature and precipitation on weather
maps;
Differentiate between cloud types (cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus
clouds) and the associated weather;
Use a thermometer to compare air temperatures over a period of time;
Analyze the changes in air pressure occurring over time, using a barometer, and
predict what the changes mean in terms of changing weather patterns;
Differentiate between the types of weather associated with high and low pressure air
masses.
Illustrate and label high and low pressure air masses and warm and cold fronts;
Terms to know:
Weather –a state of the atmosphere describing the wind, precipitation, temperature, air pressure, etc….
Precipitation – water in the atmosphere. It can fall to the Earth as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.
Atmosphere –the gases that surround the Earth.
Cloud – a mass of tiny droplets of condensed water in the atmosphere.
Cirrus Cloud – a high cloud with a feather-like shape. It is made of ice crystals.
Cumulus Cloud – a puffy cloud with a flat bottom. These usually indicate fair weather.
Cumulonimbus Cloud – A large cloud that appears to have a head. These indicate rain or a thunderstorm.
Status Cloud – a low, gray, blanket-like cloud. This usually indicates steady rain
Barometer – a weather instrument that measures air pressure. High pressure indicates clear weather.
Low pressure can indicate precipitation or stormy weather.
Anemometer – a weather instrument that measures wind speed.
Thermometer – a weather instrument that measures temperature. Temperature can be measured in Celsius or
Fahrenheit.
Rain Gauge – a weather instrument that measures the amount of precipitation that has fallen.
Meteorologist – a person who gathers and studies weather data using different instruments.
Front – bring a change in the weather. A warm front will bring in warmer air behind it. A cold front will bring cooler air
behind it.
Thunderstorm – cumulonimbus clouds that bring heavy rain, wind, lightning, and hail. Some produce tornadoes
Hurricane - a huge storm that forms over the ocean. It has winds of at least 74mph and brings huge waves,
heavy rain. They form over warm water and the center of the storm is called the “eye.”
Tornado – a storm that has very rapidly rotating winds. It causes destruction in a narrow path.
Sample Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Thermometer is to temperature as a ____________ is to air pressure.
A barometer
B odometer
C anemometer
D scale
6. The temperatures shown are most likely ―
A water temperatures.
B Fahrenheit temperatures.
C Celsius temperatures.
D dew-point temperatures.
Weather Log
Day
High
Low
Monday
63
45
Tuesday
68
47
Wednesday
51
38
7. A cloud that is thick and low to the ground is a —
E cirrus cloud.
F cumulus cloud.
G stratus cloud.
H nimbus cloud.
8. Looking at the weather map to the right, predict what will
happen when the front reaches Long Lake.
A The temperature will rise.
B. The temperature will fall.
C. There will no change in temperature.
D. There will be a hurricane.
H
Smithtown
55º F
Wells
74º F
L
Long
Lake
75º F