4 th Grade Calhoun Academy of the Arts

Becoming a Meteorologist A meteorologist is a scientist who studies the weather. The study of weather is called meteorology.

Becoming a Meteorologist To be a good meteorologist you have to know to predict, observe, and make inferences about the weather. Click on the link to watch a short clip about meteorologist

Observations Observation is gathering information using your five senses. Examples: – It is raining outside. – I hear thunder. – I feel the cold snow.

Observations There are two types of observations, quantitative and qualitative. A quantitative observation is a numerical observation (Hint: qua N titative; N = number) Example: The wind is blowing 50 miles per hour. A qualitative observation describes the qualities of something using the five senses. Example: The color of the snow is white.

Inference An inference is a reasonable explanation based on previous knowledge and experiences, rather than observing through your five senses. Example: – It has been cloudy all day, Sarah walks into a store soaking wet, we can make an inference that it is raining. – My mom lays out mittens, & a heavy coat, I can make an inference that it is cold outside.

Prediction A prediction is a statement that something will happen in the future. Example: – I predict it will be a hot summer day. – I predict we will get 5 inches of snow.

Weather Weather changes daily depending on the temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation. Click on the picture below to preview our weather unit.

Temperature Temperature is how hot or cold the air is at a given time. Temperature is measured using a thermometer in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius F C

Thermometer Fahrenheit Scale Celsius Scale Red Liquid bulb

Thermometer What is the temperature shown on the thermometer?

Weather Maps Weather maps may show large masses of warm or cold moving air. Lines between air masses are called fronts. – When a warm front passes over an area, the air temperature increases. – When a cold front passes over an area, the air temperature decreases. A weather map can also tell the temperature and precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, hail)

Weather Maps

Wind Wind is air moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. Measuring wind speed and direction are important factors in weather forecasting. You can measure wind direction using a wind vane.

Wind Wind can originate from any direction, but usually follows patterns around the world. It typically moves weather patterns from west to east across the country.

Making a Wind Vane Cut index card into two triangles and tape one triangle on each end of a plastic straw.

Making a Wind Vane Stick a push pin through the center of the straw, and into the pencil eraser.

Making a Wind Vane Take the wind vane outside and discover which way the wind is blowing. The arrow will point in the direction FROM which the wind is coming.

Wind Wind speed is also an important factor in predicting weather changes. Wind speed is the condition of how fast the wind is moving. We measure wind speed by using an anemometer.

Anemometer The wind causes the cups on the anemometer to spin. As the cups spin, the anemometer counts how many times they spin in a given period. The more turns, the faster the wind speed.

Effects of Wind Speed

Positive EffectsNegative Effects Water cycle Pollination of seeds Seed germination Damaging effects as seen on Beaufort scale

Water Cycle During the water cycle, water changes forms and cycles between Earth’s surface and the air, and back again. The water cycle is continuous.

Water Cycle Evaporation is the stage of the water cycle where liquid water on Earth becomes a gas, called water vapor in the air.

Water Cycle Condensation happens in the air as water vapor changes back to droplets of water. Clouds form during condensation. Dew also forms from condensation. You can see dew drops on surfaces such as grass, a car, or glass. The process of condensation results from the cooling of air temperatures.

Water Cycle After condensation occurs, forming a cloud, any form of water that falls from the clouds is called precipitation. Precipitation can fall as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Snow, sleet, and hail come from freezing temperatures in the air. Rain forms when temperatures in the air are above freezing.

Rain Gauge The amount of precipitation is measured in a rain gauge. Markings on the side of a rain gauge show how much rain has fallen A rain gauge measures rain fall in inches.

Water Cycle Once precipitation falls to the ground, it returns to the ocean or lakes as runoff.

Water Cycle Song Water travels in a cycle yes it does, Water travel in a cycle yes it does. It goes up as evaporation, Forms a cloud is condensation, Falls to the ground as precipitation, Yes it does… RUNOFF! (Repeat and get faster)

Water Cycle Click the picture to watch a Bill Nye the Science Guy video on the water cycle.

Weather Instruments Click the picture below to watch a video on all the weather instruments we have talked about in class.

Cloud Song Hey cloud what’s ya name? Hey cloud what’s ya name, what’s ya name, what’s ya name. I’m cumulus and I’m big and puffy, so come and take a look at me. I’m cumulus and I’m big and puffy, oh yeah that me, yeah, yeah that’s me. Hey cloud what’s ya name? Hey cloud what’s ya name, what’s ya name, what’s ya name. I’m cirrus and I’m thin and wispy, so come and take a look at me. I’m cirrus and I’m thin and wispy, oh yeah that me, yeah, yeah that’s me.

Cloud Song Hey cloud what’s ya name? Hey cloud what’s ya name, what’s ya name, what’s ya name. I’m stratus and I’m low like a blanket, so come and take a look at me. I’m stratus and I’m low like a blanket, oh yeah that’s me, yeah, yeah that’s me. Hey cloud what’s ya name? Hey cloud what’s ya name, what’s ya name, what’s ya name.

Clouds Clouds are made up of millions of tiny droplets of water and ice. As water droplets from in the air around dust or other particles, they join together to form clouds. Clouds form when moist air rises and then cools, this is called condensation.

Cumulus Clouds Cumulus clouds are puffy, lumpy-looking clouds, that often have a flat bottom. When cumulus clouds are dark, they usually bring rain. White cumulus clouds do not bring rain.

Stratus Clouds Stratus clouds are layers of clouds that spread out covering a large area. Stratus clouds are often lower in the sky.

Cirrus Clouds Cirrus clouds are high, thin, wispy clouds. They are formed mostly of ice crystals. Cirrus clouds are most often seen with fair weather.

Clouds Now it’s your turn! Directions: Using cotton balls, make the three different types of clouds, and label them.

Severe Weather - Thunderstorms A thunderstorm is a type of severe weather with lightning, thunder, heavy rain, and strong winds. Hail may also form during a thunderstorm. Heavy rain from thunderstorms may cause flooding, lightning can cause fires, and strong winds can blow over trees or power lines

Severe Weather - Tornado A tornado is a small, funnel shaped cloud that comes down from a storm cloud with winds spinning at very high speeds. High winds can tear apart buildings, and when a tornado touches the ground, it destroys everything in its path. If the national weather service issues a tornado watch, the conditions are right for a tornado to form, a tornado warning, is when a tornado has been spotted.

Severe Weather - Hurricane A hurricane is a large storm that forms over warm ocean water. It has very strong winds that blow in a circular pattern around the center of the storm, called the eye. High winds can blow over trees, power lines, and buildings, heavy rain causes flooding, and the storm waves can damage the coastal area

Staying Safe in Severe Weather Thunderstorm Safety : find a safe place away from windows, and do not stand under trees. Tornado Safety : find a safe place away from windows, and if you cannot find shelter lie flat in a ditch or low place, but do not stay in your car. Hurricane Safety : board up windows in your house, and move further inland if you are near the coast.

Click the link below to watch Bill Nye explain severe weather and how it forms.