Elements of Weather

Measuring Weather

What are the Basic Elementsof Weather & Climate

(go outside and list 6)

Wind: speed and direction

Temperature: of air

Humidity

Clouds: type and amount

Precipitation: type and amount

Air Pressure

Measured on a regular (daily) basis. They are

inter-related:Change in one produces a change in the others

Temperature

Humidity

CLOUDS

Precipitation

Wind and Air Pressure:

Which year had the greatest number of billion $ weather disasters? _______How many events occurred that year? ________In what year was the damages amount the greatest? ___________

Page 7

Timeline

Read “Observing the Atmosphere” on pages 8-10

construct a timeline of the different instruments used

to discover the elements of the atmosphere and the scientists that invented them.

Automated Surface Observing System ASOS Joint program between the National Weather

Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). ASOS detects significant changes 24/7

,Measures:• Sky condition: up to 12,000 feet • Visibility (to at least 10 statute miles) • Precipitation: type and intensity • Obstructions to vision: fog, haze • Air Pressure: sea-level and local altitude• Ambient temperature, dew point temp.• Wind: direction, speed and character

Weather Measuring Instruments on the roof of OHS

Exploring the Atmosphere Using Balloons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGQWUFEMxT8&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

RadarImaging

Satellite Imaging

Monitoring Earth from Space

Rainfall in Malaysia

Hurricane Dennis

http://www.weather.gov/

1. How do scientists observe and measure the atmosphere?

2. What are the Earth’s four spheres and how do they interact to determine weather and climate?

3. Define a system and distinguish between and open and closed systems.

4. Define a feedback mechanism and distinguish between positive and negative feedback mechanisms.

Today’s Essential Questions: