Meteorological Events Vocabulary

Hurricane

• Powerful tropical cyclone with heavy rains and strong winds

• Weak storm with light winds and minimal rain

• Type of tornado that occurs over land

• Seasonal wind pattern that brings dry weather

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What is an air mass?

• A large body of air with consistent humidity and temperature.

• A small pocket of air that changes temperature quickly.

• A type of weather front that brings storms.

• A layer of air that is always cold and dry.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Meteorological Event

• Weather-related occurrence

• Natural disaster

• Climate change phenomenon

• Seasonal variation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Storm Surge

• Abnormal, rapid rise in sea level during a storm; leads to flooding

• A gradual increase in sea level over time

• A decrease in sea level caused by high winds

• A type of storm that occurs over land

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Warm Front

• When a warm air mass meets and overtakes a cold air mass; leads to warmer temperatures and often precipitation 

• When a cold air mass meets and overtakes a warm air mass; leads to cooler temperatures and often clear skies 

• When two air masses collide and neither overtakes the other; leads to stable weather conditions 

• When a warm air mass rises over a cold air mass; leads to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Thunderstorm

• Weather event with lightning and thunder 

• Calm weather with clear skies 

• Weather event characterized by heavy snowfall 

• Weather event with strong winds and no precipitation 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Tornado

• A violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to the base of a thunderstorm

• A calm and stable weather condition with no precipitation

• A type of cloud formation that indicates fair weather

• A strong wind that occurs during a hurricane

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

High-Pressure System

• Area with descending air and fair weather 

• Area with rising air and stormy weather 

• Area with stagnant air and foggy conditions 

• Area with turbulent air and heavy rainfall 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Weather Front

• Boundary between air masses

• A type of precipitation

• A weather forecasting tool

• A temperature measurement device

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Low-Pressure System

• Area with rising air and stormy weather

• Area with sinking air and clear skies

• Region of high temperatures and low humidity

• Zone characterized by stable weather patterns

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6