high and low pressure systems weather systems unit

Regents Earth Science

HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMSWEATHER SYSTEMS UNIT

By the end of this class, you will be able to:*Compare and contrast high and low pressure systems

*Identify areas of high and low pressure on a weather map

DO NOW: What’s in a letter?

Take a moment to think about what each letter stands for when used on a weather map

High Pressure Low Pressure

Type of phenomenon Weather system

Determined by… Changes in air pressure

Moving inward on isobars…

Pressure Increases Pressure Decreases

Density of air Higher Lower

Representation on a map H (typically blue) L (typically red)

Motion of air Clockwise, air sinks Counterclockwise, air rises

Also known as… Anticyclone Cyclone

Motion of air causes a zone of…

Divergence Convergence

Stability of atmosphere Stable Unstable

Compare/Contrast ChartHigh and Low Pressure

High Pressure

LOW PRESSURE

Low vs. High

Thumbs up for high, Thumbs down for low

Identify one center of high pressure and one center of low pressure using the letters on the map below. Be able to briefly explain your answer.

FRONTS

Front: The leading edge of an air mass-branch from low pressure systems

Fronts are shown by lines with symbols that show the type of front and the direction of movement

Fronts- ESRT page 13

Warm front: an area where a warm air mass is replacing a cooler air mass

What to Expect

Before the front: A.cool or cold tempsB.falling barometerC.increasing & thickening cloudsD.light-to-moderate precipE.winds from the e-se, F.Temp and dp get closer together/higher humidity

After the front: A. Warmer and more humid weather conditions

B. clearing cloudsC. a brief rise in pressure D. winds from the s-swE. Temp and dp are close/high humidity

NOTE: “A high dewpoint” means that the temperature and dewpoint are close together. (ex. 32F temp, 30 F dewpoint)

“A low dewpoint” means that the temperature and dewpoint are far apart (ex. 55F temp, 30F dewpoint)

There is ALWAYS a dewpoint!

Cold Front

Cold front: an area where a cold air mass is replacing a warmer air mass

What to Expect

Before the Front: A.winds from the s-swB.warm tempsC.a falling barometer (dropping pressure)

D.an increase in cloudsE.a short period of precip F.Temp/dp are close; high humidity

After the Front:A.winds from the w-nwB.a drop in tempsC.a rise in pressureD.showers followed by clearing skies

E.Temp and DP get farther apart/ lower humidity

Stationary Front

Stationary Fronts: a boundary between air masses that are not moving

What to expect: a noticeable change in wind direction or temperature when crossing from one side of the front to the other

Occluded Fronts

Occluded Front: occur when warm air is pushed above Earth’s surface by cooler air that is closing in from both sides

DO NOT WRITE

A developing cyclone usually has a warm front and a faster moving cold front that wraps around the storm.

An occluded front forms when cold air behind the cold front catches up to the warm front, which is stuck behind the cool air already in place

What to expect: A change in temp., dewpoint or wind direction is possible

Occluded Front Development

Phase 1: Phase 2

Animation of Fronts <3Animation of Fronts

Movement of Weather Revisited

Most of the tracks (paths) follow a southwest to northeast pattern because of the United States’ location in the prevailing southwest wind belt

Video: Tying it Together!: Jet Streams, Pressure Systems and Fronts