Weather: Air Pressure and Wind (Lessons 3.6-3.9)

Air Pressure and Atmospheric Dynamics

• Differences in air pressure are caused by temperature variations, humidity levels, and altitude.
• Warm air rises because it is less dense than cold air, causing it to expand and rise higher into the atmosphere.
• Atmospheric pressure is also known as barometric pressure.
• Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, creating wind patterns.

Characteristics of Air

• Warm air is less dense compared to cold air, which is denser and sinks closer to the Earth's surface.
• A sea breeze is created when cooler air from the ocean moves toward the land to replace rising warm air above the land during the day.
• At night, a land breeze occurs as the land cools faster than the water, causing air to move from the land to the sea.

Weather Prediction and Wind Naming

• Winds are named based on the direction they come from; for example, a south wind originates from the south.
• The persistence model for weather prediction assumes that tomorrow's weather will be similar to today's conditions.
• Meteorologists use various methods, including radar, satellite data, and computer models, to analyze current weather and forecast future conditions.

Explore the impact of unequal heating between land and water on air pressure and weather patterns. Learn how differences in temperature lead to variations in atmospheric pressure and influence wind patterns. Figure out the connection between land temperature, water temperature, and air pressure in shaping local weather conditions.