4-4.6 Predict weather from data collected through observation and measurements.
Predicting Weather
Essential Question: How do instruments help us to predict weather?
You have most likely heard weather forecasts on TV or radio. A weather forecast tells what the weather will be like for the next few days. How do scientists know if it is likely to rain tomorrow or snow the day after? They make observations and take measurements. Then they look for patterns in their data.
Information on Weather Maps (Current Weather Map)
A scientist who studies weather is called a meteorologist. They use tools to measure temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and other conditions of the air. Meteorologists use all this information to make weather maps. A sample weather map is shown below.
Weather maps show what the weather is like in an area at a certain time. Studying weather maps helps scientists predict what the weather will be in the future.
Weather maps show temperature and precipitation. Weather maps may also show other types of weather data. When you look at weather maps, you will see a list of symbols called a key. The key tells you what the different symbols mean.
Weather maps help scientists follow the movement of air masses. An air mass is a large body of air that has the same temperature and humidity throughout. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. Humid air contains a lot of water vapor. There are four basic types of air masses – cold and dry, cold and humid, warm and dry, and warm and humid.
Weather Fronts
A front is a place where two different air masses meet. The triangles and half circles point in the direction that the front is moving.
When a cold front passes over an area, the air temperature drops. Strong storms happen at cold fronts. Thunderstorms are likely in warm weather. In winter, snowstorms are likely.
Sheets of gray clouds form at a warm front. Warm fronts often bring rain. After a warm front passes over an area, the temperature rises.
Following the movement of fronts helps scientists predict changes in weather. Meteorologists also use changes in wind speed or wind direction to predict storms or temperature changes.
You can use information about fronts on weather maps to help predict the weather in your area. Observing clouds can also help you predict the weather.
Essential Question: How do instruments help us to predict weather?
You have most likely heard weather forecasts on TV or radio. A weather forecast tells what the weather will be like for the next few days. How do scientists know if it is likely to rain tomorrow or snow the day after? They make observations and take measurements. Then they look for patterns in their data.
Information on Weather Maps (Current Weather Map)
A scientist who studies weather is called a meteorologist. They use tools to measure temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and other conditions of the air. Meteorologists use all this information to make weather maps. A sample weather map is shown below.
Weather maps show what the weather is like in an area at a certain time. Studying weather maps helps scientists predict what the weather will be in the future.
Weather maps show temperature and precipitation. Weather maps may also show other types of weather data. When you look at weather maps, you will see a list of symbols called a key. The key tells you what the different symbols mean.
Weather maps help scientists follow the movement of air masses. An air mass is a large body of air that has the same temperature and humidity throughout. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. Humid air contains a lot of water vapor. There are four basic types of air masses – cold and dry, cold and humid, warm and dry, and warm and humid.
Weather Fronts
A front is a place where two different air masses meet. The triangles and half circles point in the direction that the front is moving.
When a cold front passes over an area, the air temperature drops. Strong storms happen at cold fronts. Thunderstorms are likely in warm weather. In winter, snowstorms are likely.
Sheets of gray clouds form at a warm front. Warm fronts often bring rain. After a warm front passes over an area, the temperature rises.
Following the movement of fronts helps scientists predict changes in weather. Meteorologists also use changes in wind speed or wind direction to predict storms or temperature changes.
You can use information about fronts on weather maps to help predict the weather in your area. Observing clouds can also help you predict the weather.