Meteorologists Predict Weather

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Meteorologists study and predict weather events. For example, the passage below describes meteorologists using observations of Earth's atmosphere to study winter weather conditions.

a city is covered with snow after a snowstorm

Meteorologists are studying winter weather conditions by observing atmospheric maps. The maps show the locations of two air masses, which are large areas of air in Earth's lower atmosphere. The air masses are moving through the lower atmosphere across North America. One of the air masses contains warm, humid air. The other contains cool air. The meteorologists recognize that as these two air masses meet, a strong snowstorm could develop.

Which of the following statements are supported by the passage?

• Meteorologists are scientists who study meteors

• to predict weather events, scientists study air masses within earth's lower atmosphere

• some air masses contain cool air; other air masses contain warm air

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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The passage describing a tornado prediction mentioned two air masses. Read the passage again and then answer the question below.

A meteorologist uses atmospheric maps to examine air masses, which are large areas of air in Earth's lower atmosphere. The meteorologist notices that an air mass with dry air is approaching an air mass with warm, moist air. In the same region, there are strong winds higher in the atmosphere. The meteorologist recognizes that this combination of air masses and winds in the region could lead to a tornado event.

The word mass can be used in different ways. Which definition better fits the use of mass in the passage?

• the total amount of matter that an object contains

• a large body of matter

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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An air mass is a large area of Earth's lower atmosphere. An air mass contains air with similar temperatures and similar humidity levels, or amounts of moisture.

Which of the following descriptions best fits the definition of an air mass?

• an area above Australia that contains dry air with tempertures around 30.C

• an area above the pacific ocean that contains humid air with tempertures between 3.C and 23.C

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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To study air masses and weather, scientists use maps of Earth's surface and atmosphere. For example, a scientist might use a map like the one shown below. This map uses color to show air temperatures at a certain point in time.

look at the source picture

Data source: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory, Physical Sciences Division

Select the color that this map uses to represent air temperatures between -5°C and 0°C.

• navy blue

• tan

• dark red

• light blue

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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In addition to studying maps of air temperatures, meteorologists can use maps to study the humidity of air within an air mass.

The map below shows the specific humidity of Earth's lower atmosphere above South America on August 1, 2016. Specific humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapor in the air.

Data source: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory, Physical Sciences Division

Select the color that this map uses to represent specific humidity levels between 0 and 2 grams of water vapor per kilogram of air.

• purple

• light purple

• light yellow

• dark green

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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The atmospheric map below shows air temperatures in the lower atmosphere above Asia on October 28, 2016.

Two areas, labeled A and B, are outlined on the map.

look at data source

Data source: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory, Physical Sciences Division

Based on the temperature measurements, which outlined area better fits the definition of an air mass?

• area a

• area b

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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The atmospheric map below shows specific humidity in the lower atmosphere above Africa on April 9, 2016.

Two areas, labeled A and B, are outlined on the map.

Data source: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory, Physical Sciences Division

Based on the humidity measurements, which outlined area better fits the definition of an air mass?

• area a

• area b

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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The atmospheric maps below show conditions in the lower atmosphere above North America on October 17, 2013. The first map shows air temperatures. The second map shows specific humidity levels.

The same two areas, labeled A and B, are outlined on each map.

Data source: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory, Physical Sciences Division

Based on the temperature and humidity measurements, which outlined area better fits the definition of an air mass?

Area A

• a

• b

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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Meteorologists can make predictions about weather events. For example, the passage below describes how a meteorologist might use observations of Earth's atmosphere to predict a tornado event.

"Tornado near Gruver, Texas" by A. T. Willett, Alamy Stock Photo

a tornado passing through a field

A meteorologist uses atmospheric maps to examine air masses, which are large areas of air in Earth's lower atmosphere. The meteorologist notices that an air mass with dry air is approaching an air mass with warm, moist air. In the same region, there are strong winds higher in the atmosphere. The meteorologist recognizes that this combination of air masses and winds in the region could lead to a tornado event.

Which of the following statements are supported by the passage?

• Some air masses contain dry air; other air masses contain moist air.

• Meteorologists are scientists who study meteors.

• Scientists can study air masses to predict weather events.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

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An air mass is a large area of Earth's lower atmosphere. An air mass contains air with similar temperatures and similar humidity levels, or amounts of moisture.

Which of the following descriptions best fits the definition of an air mass?

• an area above north Africa that contains dry air with temperatures of about 33C

• an area above the western untied states that contains dry air and humid air at roughly the same temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5