High and Low Pressure Systems Weather Systems Unit

1. High and Low Pressure SystemsWeather Systems Unit Regents Earth Science 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

2. DO NOW: What’s in a letter? Take a moment to think about what each letter stands for when used on a weather map

3. Compare/Contrast Chart High and Low Pressure

4. High Pressure

5. LOW PRESSURE

6. Low vs. High

9. 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.

10. FRONTS • Front: The leading edge of an air mass-branch from low pressure systems

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

13. Fronts- • Warm front: an area where a warm air mass is replacing a cooler air mass

14. What to Expect • Before the front passes: cool or cold temperatures, a falling barometer, an increase and thickening in clouds, light-to-moderate precipitation, winds from the south-southeast, rise in dewpoint

15. After the front has passed: Warmer and more humid weather conditions, clearing clouds, a brief rise in pressure, winds from the south-southwest, high dewpoint

16. 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!

20. Cold Front • Cold front: an area where a cold air mass is replacing a warmer air mass

21. What to Expect • Before the Front: winds from the south-southwest, warm temperatures, a falling barometer (dropping pressure), an increase in clouds, a short period of precipitation and a high dew point

22. After the Front: winds from the west-northwest, a drop in temps, a rise in pressure, showers followed by clearing skies, and a falling dewpoint

26. Stationary Front • Stationary Fronts: a boundary between air masses that are not moving

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

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

30. 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

31. Occluded Front Development • Phase 1: • Phase 2

33. Animation of Fronts <3 Animation of Fronts

34. 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