Unit 2. Social Science

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

C O L E G I O M I R A L B A

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Weather and climate shape our lives in many different ways, from the clothes we wear to our everyday activities. We also depend on them for many things: farmers need rain for their crops; boats need strong winds for their sails and tourists like sunshine when on holiday. But what causes these conditions? Can we always predict them?

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

We a t h e r m a p

1. Can you name any of the symbols on a weather map?

2. Which countries can you see on the maps?

3. What type of weather can we see on the maps?

4. Where was this photograph taken?

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Thinking routine

What do I know about

weather and climate?

What do I intend to

learn?What have I learnt?

A School trip projectLook at this chart project and answer the questions

1. What season do you think it was when these notes were taken? Give reasons for your answer.

2. What is the weather like where you are? Use Ana and Tom’s project to help you write a description. Then draw it in your notebook.

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Read the descriptions and select the correct picture.

Comprobarrespuesta

Pregunta 1 de 3The season when temperatures are high and the weather is generally sunny in temperate climates.

Weather describes all the atmospheric conditions in a place each day. Weather can change several times in a day. Water, air and heat from the Sun work together to form weather. We talk about four different factors when we talk about weather:

• temperature

• humidity

• wind

• precipitation

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Weather

Temperature

Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold the air is. We use a thermometer to gauge this. Thermometers can have two different types of scales: The Celsius or Centigrade (oC) temperature scale, where freezing is at 0 oC. The Fahrenheit (oF) scale, where freezing is at 32 oF.

Humidity

Humidity describes how much water vapour is present in the air. When it is very humid, fog and mist can form.

We use a hygrometer to measure humidity.

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Wind

Wind is moving air that can move at many different speeds.

The first international standard for measuring wind speed was created by Admiral Beaufort in 1806.

It includes categories such as breeze, gale or hurricane, an is still widely used today.

We use an anemometer to measure wind speed.

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Precipitation

Precipitation is water that falls to the ground from the atmosphere. It can fall as a liquid, such as rain, or as a solid, such as snow or hail. To measure precipitation we use a rain gauge.

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. What are the main components of weather?

2. What happens when there is a lot of humidity in the air?

3. Name the two temperature scales. Then find out who invented each one. Did they invent anything else?

4. Find out the average wind speed for the last week where you live and place it on the Beaufort Wind Scale.

5. What are the other six categories in the Beaufort Wind Scale?

PrecipitationWe talk about precipitation when water is released from clouds in the form of rain, drizzle, sleet, hail or snow. The conditions inside the cloud and the temperature outside it determine what form of precipitation is released.

RainRain is the name given to water droplets that measure more than 0.5 mm across.

DrizzleSmaller rain droplets form drizzle, a light rain.

SleetIf the air is a little cooler, frozen crystals can form. This results in a mixture of rain and snow, which we call sleet.

HailHail forms when water droplets are pushed up by rising air currents in thunderstorms. They freeze in the clouds and then start to fall again. As they fall they melt slightly. Bigger stones are created when water droplets are pushed up again and refreeze.

SnowIf the cloud is low and the air around it is cold and dry, the little droplets inside form ice crystals, which fall as snow.

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. . When does precipitation fall as a solid and when does it fall as a liquid?

2. How does hail form?

3. If a water droplet measures 0.7 mm across, is it rain or drizzle? Explain your answer.

CloudsClouds form when warm air rises and then cools down. Different types of clouds result in different types of weather.

Cumulus clouds

These are fat, fluffy clouds and are a sign of good weather.

Stratus clouds

These clouds form in layers and are located low in the sky. They often bring drizzle and fog.

Cirrus clouds

These clouds are thinner and are located higher up in the sky. They usually mean that bad weather is coming.

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. Draw the clouds that you can see outside now. What sort of weather do you predict for later?

2. Find out about other types of clouds that do not appear on this page. What are they called?

Predicting the weatherProfessional meteorologists predict weather by using hundreds of measuring devices to collect information about:

• rainfall

• temperature

• sunshine

• wind speed

Weather balloons carry instruments high into the atmosphere so they can measure temperature, air pressure and humidity. They then send their readings to a weather station on the ground.

There are around 10000 weather stations all over the world. They send reports to weather forecast centres to pass on data about wind speed, temperature and more.

Weather satellites orbit the Earth so they can take pictures of weather patterns, monitor temperatures and even measure the height of waves.

Once we have a data, we can put it into temperature and precipitation graphs to help us interprent the information and make predictions.

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. How can a meteorologist monitor rainfall?

2. What do we use to take pictures of weather from above?

3. Why do we use weather balloons?

Make your own metereological instrumentsMake a wind vane★2 paper plates★Poster board★Plastic straw★Straight pin★Pencil with new eraser★Modelling clay★Glue★Scissors

Rain gauge★Plastic bottle★Ruler★Paper clips★Scissors★Adhesive tape★Jelly

Anemometer★2 long strips of corrugated

cardboard (35 cm).★4 polystyrene cups★Plasticine★A pushpin★Pencil with new eraser★Colored marker★Stappler★Scissors

Thermometer★Glass bottle★Food coluoring★Plasticine★Straw★Water★Rubbing alcohol

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Hygrometer★A long hair (the best is horse hair)★Two pushpins★Cardboard★Adhesive tape

Barometer★Jar★Rubber band★Balloon★Glue★Tape★Card★Needle★Straw★Pencil★Marker pen★Scissors

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Weather forecasts We use the data collected from the devices mentioned on the previous page to predict weather patterns for the near future. We can see these weather forecasts on TV, the internet, in newspapers or hear about them on the radio. We use weather maps with symbols to show visual predictions.

Weather can affect all aspects of our lives. This includes factors such as the economy and our health.

For example, if a hail storm destroys crops, the price of food increases. If there is little rain, there are more droughts and pollution levels increase.

This is why it is so important to be able to predict the weather.

Did you know?In the summer of 2003 Europe experienced a two-month heatwave. Temperatures rose to highs of nearly 39 oC in Madrid, and up to 48 oC in the south of Spain. This resulted in a higher number of deaths than usual and a significant drop in economic activity, especially in farming.

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. Find out about different types of extreme weather that can affect Europe. How can we prepare for them?

2. Discuss how weather patterns affect our everyday lives.

3. Find out about different types of extreme weather that can affect Europe. How can we prepare for them?

4. Discuss how weather patterns affect our everyday lives.

5. Explain these weather maps.

Weather ReportsExpressions used in a weather report:

it's hot

it's warm

it's cold

it's sunny/sunny with cloudy periods

it's cloudy/ partly cloudy/mostly cloudy/ the sky is overcast

it's windy/threre is/a strong wind/ there are light winds/ there are strong winds

it's foggy

it's stormy

it's raining

it's hailing

it's snowing

temperatures are going to drop (go down quickly)

temperatures are going to rise (go up quickly)

temperatures are below zero

Weather symbols

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Climate is the main weather conditions for a long period of time in a specific area. There are three main climate categories which are determined by:

• The size and location of landmasses

• The presence of mountains and plains

• Atmospheric wind systems

• Ocean currents

Polar climates are cold all year around. Winter brings darkness and temperatures as low as -50º C.

In summer the Sun barely sets, but it lies so low in the sky that its rays hit the land at a weak angle. This is why it is still so cold in summer.

Temperate climates have mild weather with hot summers and cold winters. The most densely populated parts of the world lie in this region.

Tropical climates are warm all year round and have rainy seasons. Countries with this climate lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This is where we can find tropical rainforests.

Ac t i v i t i e s

1. What factors determine the different world climates?

2. Why is the weather so cold in polar climates? When and why do they receive very little daylight?

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Climate

Climates in SpainThere are five types of climate in Spain.

Oceanic climates.

Mountain climates

Mediterranean climates.

Mediterranean-Continental climates.

Subtropical climates.

Desert climates.

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Oceanic climates are mild and rainy. We can find them in areas such as Galicia, Cantabria and the western Pyrenees.

Climates in Spain

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. What type of climate does your region have?

2. Which plants, trees and animals are typical of the climate where you live?

Think about it: pollutionPollution is becoming a great problem for our world today. Urban living and modern technology threaten our world in various ways, from the hole in the ozone layer to bad air quality and polluted water. This not only affects us, but also plants and wildlife around the world.

Examples of pollution1. Acid rain damages trees buildings and statues.

2. Heavy exhaust fumes from cars can cause thick smog. This can make difficult to breathe in urban areas.

3. A hole in the ozone layer is growing due to chemicals released by aerosols, fridges and air-conditioning units.

4. Scientists fear that the rising level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is trapping the Sun's heat and causing a gradual warming of the world's climates. This is called global warming.

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Global Warming

Air Pollution

Water Pollution

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Ac t i v i t i e s

1. Find out more about the ozone layer. What is it? Why is it important?

2. What type of pollution do you think affects your area most? Give reasons for your answer.

3. Find out which cities have the worst levels of air pollution and why.

4. Create a poster with the problems of pollution and the way to reduce or prevent it. Then explain it to your classmates. Time: 1 session, materials: cardboards, realia, photos, drawings..

Sun is shinin' in the sky

There ain't a cloud in sight

It's stopped rainin' ev'rybody's in a play

And don't you know

It's a beautiful new day hey,hey

Runnin' down the avenue

See how the sun shines brightly in the city

On the streets where once was pity

Mister blue sky is living here today hey, hey

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face

Welcome to the human race

A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'

And today is the day we've waited for

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Ev'rybody smiles at you

Mister blue sky, mister blue sky

Mister blue sky

Mister blue, you did it right

But soon comes mister night creepin' over

Now his hand is on your shoulder

Never mind I'll remember you this

I'll remember you this way

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Ev'rybody smiles at you

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• Mr Blue Sky (by ELO) •

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• Final Review •

Final Review Quiz

Are you ready to check your learning?