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8th Grade Week 26 Weather Test Study Guide
Test Date:
Indicate if the descriptions below are associated with LOW pressure or HIGH pressure.
1.high pressurehigh density airlow pressurelow density air
2.high pressurecool temperatureslow pressurewarm temperatures
3.high pressureair moves clockwiselow pressureair moves counterclockwise
4.high pressureair sinkslow pressureair rises
5.high pressureclear skieslow pressurecloudy skies
Indicate the type of air masses described below and where the would come from.
6.maritime tropicalmoist (humid), warm, airgulf of mexico, caribbean sea
7.continental polardry, cool / cold aircananda
8.maritime polarmoist (humid), cool / cold airnorth pacific/north atlantic
9.continental tropicaldry, warm airnorthern mexico, southwestern US
Draw and label the symbols for the following fronts:warm, cold, stationary
10.
11. How do you know what direction a front is moving?the line curves in direction of movement,
triangles and half moons point in direction of movement
12.Wind is the movement of air, what causes air to move?differences in air pressure lead to convection
currents causing air to move.
13.What causes air pressure differences across the Earth?the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by
the Sun. Equator receives more direct sunlight (more energy = higher temps = lower pressure), poles receive more indirect sunlight (less energy = lower temps = higher pressure)
14. Which type of air pressure systems brings clear skies and cooler temperatures?high pressure
15.Which type of air pressure system brings warmer temperatures?low pressure
16.Hurricanes are associated with low pressure and form over water.
17.Weather systems occur along fronts. They usually bring rain.
18.Contour lines connect areas of equal elevation. Isobars on weather maps connect areas of equal
air pressure.
19.The closer contour lines are, on a topographic map the steeper the slope. The closer the isobars are on a
weather map the stonger the winds.
20.Why do most tornadoes form in “Tornado Alley?”Dry cold air masses from Canada collide with warm
moist air masses from the Gulf of Mexico creating severe weather – thunderstorms and tornadoes
Complete the energy transformation flow chart below:
21.solar wind mechanical > electrical
Use the map to answer the questions that follow.
22.What type of front is moving through central Canada?warm front
23.Which direction should the high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico move?WNW, towards the low pressure
24.What may happen to temperatures in southern California? and why?they should drop as the cold
move into and through the area
25.How would you describe the weather in Washington and Oregon states?low pressure, humid, rainy or
possibly snowy, cloudy
Why?occluded front, moist air (maritime polar) moving in from the pacific ocean
26.Why do we find deserts in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico?the air moisture is usually condensed
into clouds as the air is forced to rise over the Rocky Mountains, the moisture is then “dropped” on the
western (windward) side of the mountains. Not enough moisture remains in the air to form clouds east of
the Rockies.
27.What type of front is just south of the Texas Panhandle?stationary front