WEATHER PICTORIALS AND PROCESS GRIDS

Transcription

1 WEATHER PICTORIALS AND PROCESS GRIDS Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 1

2 Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 2

9 SUPER SCIENTIST AWARDS Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 9

13 Speaking From Experience by Judy Barden and Bianca Barquin NARRATIVE INPUT I helped my dad board up all of the windows in our house. I ve never seen him look so worried. The wind was starting to pick up and I could hear it howling outside the boarded windows. Dad ran out one last time to try and find Gracie, who had run off that morning. I ran outside to try and help Dad and I couldn t believe my eyes. The sky, as far as one could see, was filled with dark, ominous clouds. It was so dark that it looked like the middle of the night even though it was lunchtime. I could hardly see through the sheets of water pouring around. The winds had pulled our gigantic oak out by its roots, toppling it into the power lines. Bright sparks illuminated the darkness. At first, I thought it was lightning but then I realized the sparks were flying from the dangling power line. I knew enough to stay away from the line and I also knew it wasn t safe to be outside. I didn t want to go back into the house without my dad and Gracie. In the darkness I could barely make out the outline of our shed, but the roofline was gone, as was our neighbors. I felt like the howling wind would take me with it and was about to retreat into the house when Gracie bolted past me. My dad was right behind her and he swooped me up into his arms and into the house, slamming and bolting the door behind us. I ll never forget that fateful day. I was eight years old and my family and I had survived a category 5 hurricane but my neighbor did not! Ever since that day, I wanted to learn all I could about wicked weather, Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 13

14 especially hurricanes. I wanted to teach my family and community how to be safe when a hurricane hits. Did you know that hurricanes are powerful swirling storms with driving rain and winds that reach 186 miles per hour? Hurricanes form only above tropical seas. The conditions of heat and moisture are extreme where hurricanes are forming. As the pressure falls rapidly, strong surface winds are formed as air is sucked in towards the center of the low. At the center, air speeds up and spirals upward. Massive amounts of water vapor in the rising air condense and form immense cumulonimbus clouds. S the water vapor condenses; vast amounts of heat are given out. This energy makes the air rise even faster and also increases the speed of the surface wind. They are one of the most destructive of nature s severe storms. And to me, hurricanes are also the most fascinating. I ve been invited to schools, parent club meetings, libraries, and community forums to teach about hurricane safety. Did you know that it is necessary to board up all windows with shudders or pieces of plywood? Remember tape will not prevent windows from breaking. It s best to stay indoors and away from window, even when boarded. You and your family should know your evacuation route and be prepared to follow it if an order is issued. After the storm has passed, go outside only when necessary. If you need to go outside, it is important to watch, carefully, for flooded areas, fallen wires, and scattered debris. As a meteorologist, this part of the work I do. I also forecast the weather for our local television station. Although it may seem glamorous to be seen on television, I know visiting groups and speaking about safety is equally important as forecasting the weather. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 14

15 Expert Pages Blizzards Description A blizzard isn t just a bad snowstorm; it is a heavy snowstorm with blowing winds that are above 35 miles per hour and lasts at least three hours. Blizzards blow tons of snow into the air and can cause dangerous whiteout conditions. This means that there is so much snow falling and blowing around that you cannot tell where the ground ends and the sky begins. Snow is measured the old-fashioned way, with a ruler or yardstick. Snow pillows collect snow so that the weight of it can be records. Cause In winter, Artic air masses sweep into the United States from Canada. The air masses can travel as fast as a speeding car. At the same time, warm air masses enter the United States from the south. They are full of moisture. The cold and warm air swirl around each other which leads to the production of snow. Effect When the two air masses crash, there is a winter storm. That means cold temperatures, wind, and snow. The temperature drops as the Artic air pushes the warm air out of the way. The two types of air blow around each other. The lighter warm air rolls over the heavy, cold air. We feel this moving, shoving, swirling air as wind. As the wet, warm air cools off the clouds begin to shrink. This process is similar to squeezing a wet sponge. These shrunken clouds can t hold as much moisture. The result is snowflakes or ice crystals, and when they are accompanied by high winds the result is a blizzard. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 15

16 Where it Occurs Blizzards are common in Canada and north central United States. They also occur throughout northern Europe and Russia. They are more common on mountains and in the Polar Regions, but they can sometimes occur in warm climates. Safety Rules When blizzards occur it is usually very cold and windy outside. For this reason, people sometimes use space heaters and they need to be very careful with them. If there is not heat, either because there is no electricity due to the blizzard or if it breaks down, a wise thing to do is to close the doors of the unneeded rooms to reserve whatever remaining heat there is. Then, it would be a good idea to wear layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothing. It is very important to have a reserve of food and water to prevent dehydration. Interesting Facts In 1977, a blizzard occurred in Buffalo, New York. The snow drifts were over 30 feet high. The drifts were so high that deer escaped from the zoo. They just walked over a snow covered fence. When the snow from a blizzard begins to melt, there can sometimes be dangerous flooding that can hurt people and ruin their property. Another interesting fact is that the snow on mountains can cause a major hazard. If all the snow falls on the top of a mountain, the snow can start to slide or fall down a slope causing an avalanche. The snow can travel faster than a speeding train. Skiers, climbers and others can get caught in an avalanche and get buried underneath the snow. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 16

17 Expert Pages Thunderstorms Description Technically, a thunderstorm occurs when it has visible lightning and audible thunder. Thunderstorms are the most common kind of severe storms. Tremendous amounts of energy are released in the torrential rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning that accompany thunderstorms. The most energetic storms may create hail, or even tornadoes. Thunderstorms usually have heavy rains and winds of at least 58 miles per hour (mph). Thunderstorms carry the sun s energy from the surface into the cooler upper reaches of the atmosphere. Without this convective heat transport it is estimated that the mean, or average, temperature of the earth would increase by over 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making many areas of the planet uninhabitable. Cause A thunderstorm starts when intense heating causes air to rise very quickly. A cloud forms where there is an upward rush of heated air, called an updraft. Updrafts can be as strong as 90 miles per hour. Strong updrafts keep droplets of water and ice crystals. Thunderstorms form in cumulonimbus clouds, called thunderheads. The storms cause lightning. The lightning heats the air and causes thunder. As more and more warm, moist air is carried upward, the cloud grows larger. Effect When water droplets and ice crystals in the clouds bump together and break up as they rub against each other in the strong currents of air. This action builds up positive electrical charges at the top of the clouds and negative charges at the base. When the charge at the base of the cloud gets to a certain strength, electrical energy is released and passes through the air to another point with the opposite charge, such as the ground. When the droplets become large enough, rain or hail begins to fall in a heavy thunderstorm. The final stage of a thunderstorm is the most intense. The downpour of rain or hail causes strong downdrafts of wind. The updraft-down draft combinations called a single storm. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 17

18 Where it Occurs Thunderstorms often occur at the end of a hot summer day, when air that has been warmed by the hot ground rises quickly into the cooling air. There are 18,000 thunderstorms taking place somewhere in the world each and every day. They occur most often in April, May, and June. In the United States, thunderstorms are more prevalent east of the Rocky Mountains. Safety Rules If there is no indoor shelter, you need to stay away from high points of the area and stay away from trees, metal and water. While a thunderstorm is going on you should never ride a bike, push a lawn mower, or play baseball outside. Stay indoors and stay away from the windows. Do not take a bath or a shower during a thunderstorm. Interesting Facts Each year, there are about 16 million thunderstorms around the world. Every minute, thousands of newly formed thunderstorms sweep across the earth s surface and lightning bolts flash 100 times a second. In minutes, the cumulonimbus clouds, or thunderheads, may grow several miles wide and 40,000 or more feet high. Thunderstorms are part of the earth s air-conditioning system. They pump heat from the surface high into the atmosphere, where it is released into space cooling the earth s surface. Thunderstorms also cleanse the air and carry life-giving water fro seas and lakes to dry lands. You can judge the distance of a lightning stroke by timing how long it takes you to hear the thunder. Count the number between the flash and the thunder. Divide the number of seconds by five. The number you get is the number of miles away the lightning. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 18

19 Expert Pages Tornadoes Description: Tornadoes are one of nature s most violent storms. They are violent rotating columns of air extending from a thunderstorm in the sky and extend all the way to the ground. Some have created paths of damage more than a mile wide and more than fifty miles long. Tornado wind speeds can reach in excess 250 miles per hour. The average lifespan of a tornado is approximately 15 minutes but they can last up to an hour. Like deadly whirling brooms, they can sweep away mostly anything in their path. Cause: Tornadoes come from energy released by a thunderstorm. As thunderstorms develop, a change in wind direction along with an increase of wind speed and height create an invisible horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere. Rising air moving at high speeds within the thunderstorm, updrafts, tilt the rotating air from horizontal to a vertical. As this happens and as the atmospheric pressure is lowered the air begins to rush faster and faster. The center of the funnel is a low pressure area. Air rushes into the column and rises. The air is cooled as it rises and water vapor condenses for form the familiar funnel shaped cloud. A strong funnel extends from the cloud and grows downward touching the ground and a tornado is formed. Effect: Damage fro tornadoes comes from the strong winds it produces. The biggest threat to living creatures from tornadoes is from flying debris and from being tossed about in the sky. Tornadoes are classified by wind speed and damage they cause (Fujita Scale): Category: Wind Speed (mph) Damage Level Effect F Light Broken Branches, chimney damage F Considerate Mobile homes overturned or pushed off foundation F Severe Roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned F Devastating Heavy construction leveled F Incredible Entire homes lifted and carried considerable distances Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 19

20 Where It Occurs: Tornadoes form where dry, cold air masses mix with warm, moist air masses. Because of this, they can occur at any time of the year in many parts of the world including Australia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Tornadoes are most frequently found in the United States in the central plains states; east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Appalachian Mountains, especially during the spring and summer months. States in Tornado Alley (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska) are most at risk. Safety Tips: Take shelter when a tornado is nearby because they can be deadly. Move to a predesignated shelter such as a basement or move to an interior room or hallway. Keep windows closed. If outdoors, abandon cars and lie flat in a ditch or ravine face down covering your head with your hands. After a tornado, watch for broken glass and power lines hat are down. If you see people are injured, don t move them unless they are in immediate danger. Call for help. Pay attention to National Weather Service warnings: Tornado watch (tornadoes are possible in the area) Tornado warning (tornadoes have been sighted or are indicated by radar) Interesting Facts: Tornadoes can be detected using a Doppler radar. Storm spotters watch out for approaching tornadoes and relay their information to the National Weather Service. Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide resulting in over 1,500 injuries and 80 deaths. No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980 s, a tornado swept through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 foot mountain. The deadliest tornado was the Tri-State tornado which passed through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in the United States on March 18, In three and half hours it killed 695 people along a 219 mile path. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 20

21 Expert Pages Drought Description A drought is when there is an extended period of below-normal rainfall. Although normal rainfall varies from one region to another, droughts occur in almost all the climatic regions of the world. There are four main types of drought: Meteorological drought, Agricultural drought, Physiological drought, and Hydrological drought. When we think of droughts, though, we usually are referring to Meteorological drought in which there is below average precipitation, or rainfall. During the time of drought, the land turns arid and vegetation or plant life may not have enough moisture to support life or growth. Droughts do not just occur when it is hot out; cold winters with little precipitation or snow fall, can also be a period of drought. Cause Drought has many causes. A lack of rainfall is one obvious cause. A lack of snowfall may also be a cause. Another cause of drought is when there is not enough water supply to meet everyone s needs. In order to understand why drought occurs, it is important to understand both weather and climate. Winds cause weather patterns to move around the Earth and over time, those patterns become a routine creating what we call climate. Sometimes, patterns change and cause unusual weather with some areas getting more precipitation than expected, and in the case of a drought, far less precipitation than expected. Effect The effects of drought are far reaching and severe affecting environments, economies and societies. Common consequences are wildfires or bushfires, desertification, loss of agricultural production, disease, thirst, famine, social unrest or upheaval, threats to public safety, migration or relocation of those impacted (people and wildlife), and war. Not all places experiencing drought conditions share the same effects. Although the United States may deal with economic impacts, it does usually suffer from food shortages. Prices may go up, but people are not starving. Other countries, however, do experience severe food shortages resulting in famine and malnutrition. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 21

22 Where It Occurs Drought occurs all over the world. There have been many droughts affecting the United States and North America. The Dust Bowl was a series of droughts affecting the U.S. and Canada during Many areas were depopulated because people fled to other places because the conditions were so dire. China, India, Ukraine and Volga Regions of the former Soviet Union also had very severe droughts during the early 20 th century. Presently, there are significant drought conditions in Australia and China. Safety Rules Everyone is vulnerable to drought conditions and their effects. The safety rules are more preventative or proactive than reactive. It is important to monitor and observe rainfall and compare that to the needs of the people in that area. People, who may be affected by famine, may need to relocate and stockpile medicine to prevent famine related illness. Conserving water through rain water harvesting helps maintain agriculture. Creative planning like growing crops not requiring much water in areas more susceptible to drought is also something to consider. Interesting Facts There have been several significant droughts that occurred during the 20 th century. In 1936, the worst drought in modern history happened in Sichuan Province, China. 34 million farmers were displaced, forced to move, and 5 million people starved to death. Presently, Australia is experiencing drought. Although it typically has low rainfall, there have been major deficiencies of precipitation across much of Australia. In response, the government has placed heavy restrictions on water usage and some places even import water from other countries. China is again experiencing severe drought. Two thirds of all rivers have dried up and many people and cattle are facing water shortage. Because the temperature was high, people used air conditioning more straining the electricity supply. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 22

24 Weather Cognitive Content Dictionary Word Prediction Synonyms Meaning Picture/Sketch Sentence Temperature warmth coldness hot Thermometer temperature guage scale instrument wind breeze tornado hurricane a degree of hotness or coldness defined by a thermometer an instrument for determining temperature natural movement of air meteorologist weather man a person that studies the weather and weather forecasting precipitation rain hail snow seasons winter spring summer fall a state of water that falls from a cloud a period of the year Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 24

25 weather cloudiness clearness wetness dryness heat cold calm storm air oxygen CO2 gas the state of the atmosphere with respect to heat, cold, wetness, dryness, calm, storm, clearness, cloudiness an invisible gas that surrounds the earth atmosphere air the air surrounding the earth Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 25

26 Project GLAD Wicked Weather Process Grid Severe Weather Description Cause Effect Where it occurs Safety Tips Interesting Facts Hurricanes Tornadoes Blizzards Drought Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 26

27 INTERESTING PICTURES Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 27

29 WEATHER CHANTS The Cloud Song Tune: " Kumbai-la-laika " Cumulus...cumulus...cumulus cotton Cumulus...cumulus...cumulus cotton Thermals are risin', on the horizon Eagles will soar, fair weather today Cumulo...cumulo...cumulonimbus, Cumulo...cumulo...cumulonimbus, Hailstones and lightening, tornadoes are frightening From thunderheads, pilots stay away Stratus cloud, stratus cloud, stratus cloud layer Stratus cloud, stratus cloud, stratus cloud layer Massive cloud layer, skies getting grayer Close to the ground, be foggy today Oh nimbo, oh nimbo, oh nimbostratus Oh nimbo, oh nimbo, oh nimbostratus Oh nimbostratus, bring moisture to us Summer is drought, our crops need the rain. High above, high above, oh wispy cirrus High above, high above, oh alto-stratus Skinny mares' tails and thick mackerel scales Weather is changing, not far away. Cumulus...cumulus...cumulus cotton Cumulus...cumulus...cumulus cotton Thermals are risin', on the horizon Eagles will soar, fair weather today Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 29

30 Air Movement Lyrics 2006 by Kim Estes Ochoa Middle School - Pasco School District Classroom Educational Use Only Tune: Oh When the Saints Oh, warm air! It likes to rise! Oh, warm air, it likes to rise. Warm air is light and not dense Oh, warm air it likes to rise. What warms the air? The heat from land. What warms the air? The heat from water. The sun shines on the land and water And then heat radiates back to the air. Oh, cold air! It likes to sink! Oh, cold air, it likes to sink. Cold air is heavy and dense Oh, cold air it likes to sink. What cools the air? The atmosphere. What cools the air? The loss of heat. The air separates way up high And gives warmth to you and me. What makes a breeze? The way air moves. What makes a breeze? The way air moves. When heat rises or cold air sinks, The air is displaced and makes a breeze. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 30

31 Water Cycle Song Tune: Are You Sleeping Water Cycle, Water Cycle It s a circle, it s a circle Evaporation can be first When liquid turns to gas It goes up, to the air Water Cycle, Water Cycle It s a circle, it s a circle Condensation s next When gas turns into liquid It forms a cloud, or fogs up glass Water Cycle, Water Cycle It s a circle, it s a circle Precipitation s next When clouds are way to heavy Rain falls down, to the ground Water Cycle, Water Cycle It s a circle, it s a circle Runoff from the soaked land Collects in lakes or aquifers Or into the ocean, the water flows Water Cycle, Water Cycle It s a circle, it s a circle Repetitive, continual, Our water is recycled It s so old, the water s old One more part, One more part Transpiration, Transpiration Evaporation from plants It s part of photosynthesis Into the air The vapor rises Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 31

32 I m a meteorologist and I m here to say. I study the weather everyday. I observe cloud cover and check for a breeze. I watch precipitation and count the degrees. Thermometers, rain gauges and wind flags too. We re doing the weather bugaloo! Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 32

33 Cloud Song: Sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus clouds too These are the clouds we know about We ll teach them all to you. First we ll start with Cirrus clouds They re found high in the sky They re whispy and thin with not much within The wind can blow them by. Next comes Cumulus They re puffy and they re white They re fair-weather clouds and fun to watch As they change in shape and size. Last we have the Stratus clouds, The lowest of them all They re a blanket of gray and cover the sky So we can t see the sun at all. Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 33

34 Meteorologist Bugaloo I m a meteorologist and here to say I study the weather everyday. Sometimes, I read my instruments Sometimes a map or book Sometimes with weather satellites, I take a look. Thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, too Doing the weather forecasting bugaloo. I study warm air rising air rising cause its lighter, you see I watch the cool air falling cause of its density. Sometimes it causes thunderstorms Sometimes it results in snow Sometimes it may be a hurricane Or even a tornado Thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, too Doing the weather forecasting bugaloo. Original by M. Brechtel Adapted by L. Carta and S. Chung Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 34

35 Meteorology Cadence We just know what we ve been told, Meteorology s worth its weight in gold. Studying weather here and there, Forecasting weather everywhere. Sound off-meteorology Sound off-weather forecasting Sound off-one, two, three, four I M COOL! Tornadoes circle round and round, Lift those houses off the ground. On the land, tornadoes we fear. They move our houses everywhere. Sound off-tornadoes Sound off-twisters Sound off-one, two, three, four DUCK LOW! Hurricanes almost the same, Circle-round with a different name. The difference is quite plain to see, Hurricanes start out in the deep blue sea. Sound off-hurricanes Sound off-cyclone Sound off-one, two, three, four RUN FAST! Written by M. Brechtel Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 35

36 Weather Bugaloo We re all meteorologists and we re here to say, We study weather patterns every day. We make observations and check the satellite, And make our forecast on the news at night. Storms, clouds, precipitation, too, Doing the weather bugaloo! I m looking up and what do I spy? Lots of different types of clouds in the sky. Cirrus clouds are white like a feather, When they get thicker it means warmer weather. Storms, clouds, precipitation, too, Doing the weather bugaloo! Stratus clouds are gray, layered, and low, They sometimes can give us rain or snow. Cumulus clouds are puffy and round, Soon after you ve seen them good weather can be found. Storms, clouds, precipitation, too, Doing the weather bugaloo! Some kinds of weather you should know, Are rain, hail, sleet, and snow. Hurricanes and tornadoes come on fast, You d better stay tuned to your weather forecast. Storms, clouds, precipitation, too, Doing the weather bugaloo! Written by C. Woita Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 36

37 Properties That Influence Weather Tune: Military Cadence Wind blows ocean moisture ashore It starts to cool when it hits shore Weather 1,2 Weather, 3,4 Weather 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 As the water reaches the hills, Moisture forms and begins to chill. Weather 1,2 Weather, 3,4 Weather 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 As the cooler moisture falls The rise in elevation creates snowfall Weather 1,2 Weather, 3,4 Weather 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 Over the mountain to the other side Warmer air begins to rise. Weather 1,2 Weather, 3,4 Weather 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 The warmer air creates a dry climate And the weather cycle is now complete! Weather 1,2 Weather, 3,4 Weather 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 Wicked Weather - Level 5 CA 37