Unit 8Aaron Kreissler, Sergio Ixpanel, Tanner Lindberg

Students will understand the evolution of weather forecasting methods throughout historyWWK

Quick Note Meteorology is the scientific study of the

entire atmosphere. Climate is the prevailing weather

conditions in an area. Weather is the day-to-day changes in

the climate.

Pre-Modern Techniques Old sayings were commonly used by sailors to forecast,

or predict, the weather.

“Red sky in morning, sailors take warning/Red sky at night, sailors delight.” A red sky in the east, where the sun rises each

morning, indicated that the sun was reflecting off rainclouds, which would make for difficult sailing weather.

A red sky in the west, where the sun sets each night, indicated calm seas, which is perfect sailing weather.

Pre-Modern Advancements An anemometer is a device

used for measuring wind speed and is a common weather station instrument. The earliest recorded use of one was in 1450.

An almanac is an annual publication that includes weather forecasts, farmers’ planting dates, and information in other fields. These were somewhat reliable as the weather rarely differed from year to year.

Modern Advancements A barometer is a

scientific instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Several satellites have been launched into space for many purposes such as gathering meteorological information.

How did sailors in pre-modern times predict the weather?KS

Students will learn about forecasting and way in which weather has benefitted humanityWWK

Forecasting Methods Persistence forecasting is used in areas where

weather conditions rarely differ, such as Canada. Analog forecasting is used by taking the current

day’s weather and comparing it with a similar day’s condition.

Trend forecasting is used for moving pressure areas, cloud formations, and fronts by predicting they will move in the same direction at the same speed.

Weather maps are used in televised weather forecasts to accurately show current weather conditions.

Benefits Of Weather Learning that we can get energy from

certain climate and weather conditions, scientists have taken steps to take advantage of these conditions using wind turbines to convert atmospheric pressure into energy and absorb solar energy using solar panels.

Aside from Canada, where would persistence forecasting work?KS

Students will learn different types of severe weather such as tornados and hurricanes and how they can affect the biosphereWWK

Tornados Tornados are small, very

intense cyclonic storms with exceedingly high winds, most often produced along cold fronts.

They move at an average speed of 20 to 50 mph.

They’re usually 400 to 500 ft wide in diameter.

Meteorologists know which conditions spawn tornados, but the actual birth process is up for debate.

Tornados (cont.) The US is the tornado

capitol of the world with more than 800 each year.

Tornados in the Northern Hemisphere turn counterclockwise while tornados in the Southern Hemisphere turn clockwise.

Tornados (cont.) Tornado watches are

warnings issued for about 25,000 square miles that indicate that conditions are such that tornados may develop.

Tornado warnings are warnings issued when a tornado has actually been sighted in an area or is indicated by radar.

Doppler radar is a weather radar used to detect motion directly and therefore greatly improves tornado warnings.

The Fujita Scale The Fujita Scale is the scale used to

measure the speed and destructivity of tornados.F-# Damage Wind Speed

F0 Light Up to 72 mph

F1 Moderate 73 to 112 mph

F2 Considerable 113 to 157 mph

F3 Severe 158 to 206 mph

F4 Devastating 207 to 260 mph

F5 Incredible Above 261 mph

Hurricanes Hurricanes are tropical

cyclonic storms that have winds in excess of 74 mph.

If the winds are under 38 mph, the storm is known as a tropical depression.

If the winds are between 38 and 74 mph, the storm is known as a tropical storm.

Hurricanes (cont.) Hurricanes need water that

is at least 80°F from the surface down to a depth of about 150 ft.

The atmosphere above a developing storm must be substantially cooler than the water surface.

Additionally, the atmosphere must be saturated with water vapor.

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of the sea along a shore as a result of strong winds.

Hurricanes (cont.) The eye of a hurricane can

be anywhere from 2 to 200 miles in diameter, but the average is 30 miles.

Weather in the eye of a hurricane is usually calm, while the winds surrounding the eye are the most violent.

Hurricanes have led to the deaths of over 2 million people in the last 200 years.

The Saffir-Simpson Scale The Saffir-Simpson Scale is the scale

used to measure the speed and destructivity of hurricanes.

Category # Damage Wind Speed

Category 1 Light 73 to 95 mph

Category 2 Moderate 96 to 110 mph

Category 3 Severe 111 to 130 mph

Category 4 Devastating 131 to 155 mph

Category 5 Incredible Above 156 mph

What Scale is used to measure tornados?KS