Air masses, fronts and the weather they bring
Grade 6 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me
Circle the best answer.
Map of the Great Lakes with arrows of cold air crossing open lake water toward towns on the far shore. In early winter, cold, dry air from Canada blows across the still-unfrozen Great Lakes. What does Jun forecast for towns just downwind?
- Warm rain, since the lakes heat the air a lot
- No change, since air masses can't pick up water
- Snow, as the air picks up moisture from the lakes
- Clear skies, since the air stays dry
Weather map with a large H covering the state for Saturday and Sunday. A large high-pressure system will sit over Kira's state all weekend. Which plan fits the forecast best?
- Plan an outdoor picnic, since skies should be clear
- Pack rain gear for a steady soaking
- Stay inside; heavy rain is likely
- Expect a quick storm, then cooler air
Luz's friend says a cold front is just a line on a map and does not change the weather. Which response is best?
- Disagree: it lifts warm air, often bringing storms and cooler air
- Agree: fronts are drawn on maps just to fill the empty space
- Agree: warm fronts are the ones that change weather
- Disagree: cold fronts bring warmer air
Map with an air mass outlined over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Noah's cousin says air from the tropical Atlantic Ocean must be dry because it is warm. Which response is best?
- Disagree: it formed over water, so it is moist
- Agree: air over a warm ocean dries out in the heat, so it is dry
- Disagree: tropical Atlantic air is cold and moist
- Agree: warm air holds no water
“not to scale” Pia's side view shows a cold front: X in the warm air far ahead, Y just above the front's edge, Z deep in the cold air behind. Where do tall storm clouds form?
- Z, deep in the cold air behind
- X, in the warm air far ahead
- Y, where warm air is pushed up steeply
- Nowhere; the cold and warm air just blend together quietly
Why does a warm front often bring hours of light rain instead of a quick storm? Ren studies the side view.
- Warm air sinks down over the cold air, so the rain falls slowly
- Warm fronts carry dry air, so the rain stays light
- Cold air is pushed up steeply instead
- Warm air rises gently up a long slope, making wide cloud layers
An arrow of air rising along a front, with a cloud forming higher up where it is cooler. Air rising at a front makes clouds. Which explanation of why does Tala choose?
- The front gives off smoke as it moves
- Rising air warms up as it climbs, so it dries out
- Rising air cools, and its water vapor condenses
- Sinking air is what makes clouds
Monday, 85°F (29°C), humid, wind from the south; Tuesday, 60°F (16°C), dry and clear, wind from the north. Zee's weather log: Monday was 85°F and humid with south winds. Tuesday was 60°F, dry and clear with north winds. What happened overnight?
- Nothing changed; the Sun just set
- A warm front passed, bringing tropical air
- A cold front passed, bringing continental polar air
- A high-pressure center turned into a low-pressure center overnight
Air pressure falling over 2 days, with cloud drawings thickening along the top. For two days, the air pressure at Ari's school falls and the clouds thicken. What is most likely coming?
- Nothing, since pressure changes don't matter
- A low-pressure system with clouds and rain
- A high-pressure system with clear skies
- A hot, dry desert air mass moving in from the southwest
Bo sees rain over Denver this morning and over Kansas City by evening. Where should the rain be tomorrow?
- Farther east, near St. Louis
- Nowhere; storms stop after one day
- Back over Denver
- Over Salt Lake City, farther to the west of Denver