Lake Effect Snow
Today you are going to be learning about lake effect snow and blizzards, two types of weather that impact you in Northwest Indiana. We have learned that precipitation (rain, snow, sleet), and possibly thunderstorms, are caused by moisture filled warm air rising into the air and cooling. As the air cools, the water droplets inside of it condense and eventually form together to create precipitation. You are going to build on this understanding today as it relates to winter conditions.
Use the provided links to answer the questions below. You may either email me your responses, or turn them in on a separate sheet of paper.
Part 1
This first page is from NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is an agency within the United States Department of Commerce. The agency monitors conditions on Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Today you are going to be learning about lake effect snow and blizzards, two types of weather that impact you in Northwest Indiana. We have learned that precipitation (rain, snow, sleet), and possibly thunderstorms, are caused by moisture filled warm air rising into the air and cooling. As the air cools, the water droplets inside of it condense and eventually form together to create precipitation. You are going to build on this understanding today as it relates to winter conditions.
Use the provided links to answer the questions below. You may either email me your responses, or turn them in on a separate sheet of paper.
Part 1
This first page is from NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is an agency within the United States Department of Commerce. The agency monitors conditions on Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
http://www.noaa.gov/features/02_monitoring/lakesnow.html
1.) What is the name of the region that is known for having a lot of lake effect snow? Which areas of this region are at the highest risk (hint - we're in one).
2.) When lake effect snow forms, what type (temperature) of air mass moves over the water?
3.) What is the temperature of the water when this (answer to #2) happens?
4.) Why does the warm air rise?
5.) Lake effect snow has a tendency to form in long, narrow bands. How large can these bands of snow be?
1.) What is the name of the region that is known for having a lot of lake effect snow? Which areas of this region are at the highest risk (hint - we're in one).
2.) When lake effect snow forms, what type (temperature) of air mass moves over the water?
3.) What is the temperature of the water when this (answer to #2) happens?
4.) Why does the warm air rise?
5.) Lake effect snow has a tendency to form in long, narrow bands. How large can these bands of snow be?
6.) How quickly can snow fall from lake effect conditions?
7.) What is thundersnow?
8.) What can conditions be like just outside the "band" of lake effect snow?
Take a look at the following image and make sure you understand what is causing this lake effect snow. If you are unsure, come and ask me.
Part 2
This second link describes what the different names for various snow storms mean. Use it to answer the following questions. http://weather.about.com/od/winterweather/p/stormtypes.htm
9.) What are the differences between snow flurries and snow showers? 10.) What is the difference between a snow squall and a blizzard? - |
Optional: In class, we discussed that we are learning about one of the more commonly observed types of lightning - cloud to ground, negative discharges. If you would like to read about some of the other types, click on the link.
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