Embedded Files
Lesson Sequence
Key Resources
Quizlet Flashcards: Zheng 6thSci 03 The Atmosphere
Holt California Meteorology Section
Holt California Meteorology Unit.pdf
6thSci 3.02 Heat Transfer
6thSci 3.02 Heat Transfer
PBS Learning Media Video: Infrared Absorption
The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect
Local Winds
Local Winds
Sea and land breezes result from the uneven heating of Earth's surface from the sun and leads to the movement of air masses at coastal locations.
Mountain and valley breezes result from the uneven heating of mountain sides and leads to the movement of air masses near mountain chains.
The Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis Effect
Due to the differences in rotational speed of a spherical Earth, projectile motion is seemingly deflected right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection is known as the Coriolis Effect. This apparent deflection impacts the direction of high/low pressure weather systems in the atmosphere and the movement of ocean currents/gyres in the hydrosphere.
Ep%20106%20Demo%204%20NEW.mp4
Global Winds
Global Winds
For the Continental US, weather systems generally travel from west to east due to the prevailing westerlies (global winds). Three large low pressure systems rotate counterclockwise while traveling from west to east in the animation above.
6thSci 3.04 The Water Cycle
6thSci 3.04 The Water Cycle
PBS Learning Media Video: Ways of Watersheds
PBS Learning Media Article & Animation: Water Cycle
The Water Cycle
The Water Cycle
The water (hydrologic) cycle describes the continuous movement of water throughout the three spheres of Earth. The water cycle also describes how matter (water) and energy (heat) are exchanged among the three spheres.
High Pressure Systems vs. Low Pressure Systems
High Pressure Systems vs. Low Pressure Systems
Low Pressure System (Cyclone)
A low pressure system occurs when warm air is rising upwards into the atmosphere. Because warm air can hold more moisture, a large amount of water vapor (carrying heat energy) enters the atmosphere to form storm clouds. As a result, low pressure systems cause stormy weather, such as hurricanes and nor'easters. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spin counterclockwise.
High Pressure System (Anticyclone)
A high pressure system occurs when cooler air is sinking downwards towards the ground. Because cooler air can't hold as much moisture as warmer air, this air is much drier. As a result, high pressure systems are synonymous with pleasant sunny weather. Note that stagnant high pressure systems can result in droughts and increase the risk of wildfires. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spin clockwise.
Hurricanes are examples of an intense low pressure system that affect us in the East Coast.
Droughts and wildfires may result if a high pressure system stays in place over an extended period of time in the West Coast.
Warm Fronts vs. Cold Fronts
Warm Fronts vs. Cold Fronts
Warm Front
Warm Front
A warm front occurs when an air mass of warm air moves over an air mass of cooler air. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, the advancing air mass will rise above the colder air mass. Warm fronts also tend to move more slowly because they can't displace the cold air mass. This results in the formation of smaller clouds and light rain over an extended period of time.
Cold Front
Cold Front
A cold front occurs when cold air mass moves over an air mass of warmer air. Because cold air is more dense than warm air, the advancing air mass will sink down and quickly displace all the warm air up into the atmosphere. Warm air is able to hold more moisture, so this fast rising moist air will form thick clouds and cause severe thunderstorms. But because cold air easily displaces the warm air mass, the cold front advances very quickly and these intense thunderstorms are short-lived.
Weather Maps
Weather Maps
You need to know how to read a weather map for the state exam. Be sure to study the map key!
Additional Resources & Helpful Links
Weather Forecast on the Local Evening News
The Orographic Effect
The Orographic Effect
The Orographic Effect describes how the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere can interact. Prevailing winds over a warm ocean current allows a high amount of water vapor to evaporate into the atmosphere. When the prevailing winds encounter a mountain, this warm, moist air is forced to rise higher in the atmosphere, causing orographic precipitation on the windward (left) side of the mountain. On the leeward (right) side, however, the sinking cooled air is dry and lacks moisture, causing a rain shadow to form. This results in the formation of desert or tundra ecosystems due to the lack of rainfall.
Real-World Example: Western United States
Real-World Example: Western United States
The windward side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains contains the fertile Central Valley in California, where the majority of the farms in California are located. The average rainfall in the Northern Central Valley in California is about 51 centimeters (20 inches).
Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in Sierra Nevada mountain range with an elevation of 4,421 meters (14,505 feet).
The Black Rock Desert is located on the leeward side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains has an average annual precipitation of about 200 millimeters (7.90 inches).
Real-World Science: Acid Rain
Real-World Science: Acid Rain
Extreme Weather
Extreme Weather
Page updated
Report abuse