4-4.3 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions and patterns.

What makes weather? What words do you use to describe the weather? We’ll list on a chart. What categories can all of the words we listed fall in to? Let’s read in our Science books on pages 228 and 229 to learn about our Atmosphere.

Weather Daily changes in weather result from changes in weather conditions: Temperature (how hot of cold the air is at a given time) Wind Speed (How fast the wind is moving) Wind Direction (Where the wind is coming from) Precipitation (the type of water falling to Earth from the clouds)

Temperature Temperature is the condition of how hot or cold the air is at a given time. Temperature changes may cause precipitation changes as the seasons of the year change. For example, when it gets colder in the winter, instead of rain, we may have sleet or snow.

Temperature We measure temperature using a thermometer. The scale may be read in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Wind Speed Wind speed is the condition of how fast the wind is moving. We measure wind speed with an anemometer. As the cups spin, it counts how many times they spin in a given period of time. The more it turns, the faster the wind speed.

Wind Direction Wind direction is the condition determined by the direction the wind is coming from. Winds blowing from the north may bring colder air than winds blowing from the south or west.

Wind Direction We determine wind direction using wind or weather vane. It is described by the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Precipitation Precipitation is the type of water falling to Earth from the clouds. The amount of precipitation is measured in a rain gauge. Markings on the side show how much rain has fallen. It measures rainfall in inches.

Weather Conditions One day’s weather conditions can be compared to another in the same season or compared to daily weather that occurs in different seasons. Let’s use our observation chart to record our observations of today’s weather conditions.

Weather Conditions Examples of weather conditions are fair weather, showers or light rain, clear skies with cold temperatures, days of clouds and precipitation, or windy fair days or windy stormy weather. The comparisons should always be related to the four weather conditions which are Temperature, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, and Precipitation.

Weather Conditions Weather Patterns involve weather conditions that are repeated due to the season of the year. For example, summer temperatures are generally warmer than winter temperatures.

Weather Conditions Predict what you think the weather will be like for the remainder of the week. Record that in your Science Notebook. What did you base your predictions on? How will the weather be different 3 months from now? Let’s read in our Science books on pages 230 and 231.

Weather Conditions Let’s watch this video to learn more about weather conditions. Jot down 5 important points to share once the video is over. http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/2CAB90DA-3C54-49D0-9847-AFACFBFD90CA

Quiz 1.List the 4 key conditions of weather and briefly describe them. 2.Which weather condition do you think has the biggest impact on weather and why?

What Patterns Can We Observe in Weather? Use ALL of the following words to create a sentence in your Science Notebook. water cycle, clouds, atmosphere, weather, temperature, humidity, air pressure, and precipitation.

Weather Patterns Discuss with a partner the following questions. Be prepared to share your ideas. How does weather change? How do we know?

Weather Patterns As we make observations and collect data, we can determine patterns of weather over time and seasons. Turn to your Weather Data Collection sheet with 5 different cities on it. Let’s look up and record the weather for those cities. www.weather.com

Weather Patterns Data collected through daily or long term observations and measurements can help us see patterns in weather. Weather predictions are based on qualitative and quantitative collected data; they are not just guesses.

Weather Patterns Let’s look at the Weather Data Chart. What are some inferences we can make from the information on this chart? Look at San Francisco in California. Why do you think the average temperature is pretty consistent through the year?

Weather Patterns I will assign partners to analyze patterns in a specific area using the Weather Data Temperature and Rainfall worksheets. Let’s share our findings.

Weather Patterns What similarities and differences in weather patterns can be noted in the city that is in the most southern location compared to the city in the most northern location? What weather conditions might best explain these patterns? - What are the similarities and differences in weather patterns in the United States cities listed? - How can knowledge of weather patterns be a help to us? - After looking at some weather patterns, what questions do you have that you would like to find an answer for?

Weather Patterns Some weather signs can be seen by looking at clouds. Changes in wind speed or wind direction can indicate storms or temperature changes.

Weather Patterns Meteorologists interpret information from a variety of sources and use those sources to make predictions. The information they use is shown on a weather map. Weather maps may show large masses of warm or cold moving air. Lines between the air masses are called fronts.

Weather Patterns When a warm front passes over an area, the air temperature increases. When a cold front passes over an area, the air temperature decreases. Data related to temperature and precipitation can also be found on a weather map.

Collecting Data We’ve already talked about the instruments that are used to collect data for temperature, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation. Anemometers are used to measure wind speed. They can be very simple or very complex.

Collecting Data Weather Vanes tell us the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Use Your Knowledge! Richard and his dad have just arrived at their destination for a weekend camping trip. They want to set up a fire pit and a tent. They want to be sure that the tent is not set up in an area in which the smoke from the fire will drift into their tent. What should they do?

Questions What would cause the smoke to drift into the tent? What are some ways they could use to determine which way the smoke might drift? What weather condition are Richard and his dad actually gathering data about? Could that weather condition change? What would happen then?

Beaufort Scale How can the Beaufort Scale be helpful if we did not have an anemometer available? What are the disadvantages of measuring wind speed with the Beaufort Scale instead of an anemometer?

Why would we need to know what direction the wind is coming from? Wind direction is an indication of the type of weather conditions we might experience. Winds generally blow from WEST to EAST. This is due to the rotation of the Earth. Winds blowing in from the NORTH are an indication of cooler weather and winds from the SOUTH are usually an indication that we will have some warming weather.