u4l6 - indiana weather and climate

Unit 4 Lesson 6 Indiana Weather and Climate

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Indiana Standards


• 8.2.5 Describe the conditions that cause Indiana weather and weather-related events such as tornadoes, lake effect snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, and flooding.

Today’s Forecast: Mixed


What is the weather like in Indiana?

• Indiana experiences a mix of weather throughout the year.

• The weather is on most days is relatively mild, but Indiana can have severe weather any time of year.



• Indiana has 30 to 50 thunderstorm days each year.

• The state has an above-average number of tornadoes each year. Indiana is the sixth most tornado-prone state.




• A flash flood is a flood that occurs with little or no warning in which water levels rise rapidly. In Indiana, flash flooding is most common in late spring and summer.

• During winter, the area of Indiana that borders Lake Michigan can experience lake-effect snow. Lake-effect snow occurs when cold, dry air passes over a body of water. The air picks up moisture and then drops it as heavy snowfall.




• Indiana can also experience blizzards— winter storms that product large amounts of snow or blowing snow with winds of at least 56 kph (35 mph) and low visibility for at least three hours.

• Frostbite and hypothermia are two dangers due to the strong winds and cold temperatures of blizzards.



Spring into Summer


What is the climate like in Indiana during spring and summer?• Indiana has a humid continental climate.

• During spring and summer, Indiana’s weather is determined by the meeting of cold arctic air from Canada and warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.

• In Indiana, most precipitation occurs during spring. Summers can be hot and humid.


What is the climate like in Indiana during spring and summer?• This map shows

average July temperatures in Indiana. The darker colors indicate higher temperatures, while the lighter colors indicate cooler temperatures.



Fall into Winter


What is the climate like in Indiana during fall and winter?• In Indiana, fall is often sunny and mild.

• Indiana winters are often cloudy and cold.


What is the climate like in Indiana during fall and winter?• This map shows

average January temperatures in Indiana. The area in dark purple has lower average temperatures than the areas in light purple.

• What effect does Lake Michigan have on the area near Gary and South Bend?



u4l6 - indiana weather and climate

Science

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