Weather

Science

The boundary between two air masses of different temperatures

Air front

The boundary between two air masses of different temperatures is called an air front. An air front is where warm and cold air meet, causing weather changes like rain or storms.

A huge body of air with similar temperature and moisture throughout

Air mass

A huge body of air with similar temperature and moisture throughout. Air mass. An air mass is a large volume of air that has uniform temperature and humidity.

The weight of the air pressing down on a surface

Air pressure

The weight of the air pressing down on a surface. Air pressure. Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air molecules on a given area.

The layer of gases that surround the Earth

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that surround the Earth. Atmosphere. The atmosphere is a blanket of air that protects the Earth and supports life by regulating temperature and providing oxygen.

An instrument that measures air pressure

Barometer

An instrument that measures air pressure. Barometer. A barometer is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure, which helps predict weather changes.

The average weather conditions of an area, over a long period of time

Climate

The average weather conditions of an area, over a long period of time. Climate. Climate is how the weather typically behaves in a region over many years.

The process of a gas changing into a liquid

Condensation

The process of a gas changing into a liquid condensation. Condensation is when water vapor cools down and turns back into water droplets.

The transfer of heat energy from a warmer area to a cooler area in a liquid or gas

Convection

The transfer of heat energy from a warmer area to a cooler area in a liquid or gas. Convection. It is the process where warm parts of a liquid or gas rise and cooler parts sink, creating a continuous circulation pattern.

A storm of swirling air with a low-pressure center

Cyclone

A storm of swirling air with a low-pressure center. Cyclone. A cyclone is a large, powerful storm system with strong winds rotating around a central low-pressure area.

The top of liquid changing into a gas

Evaporation

The top of liquid changing into a gas. Evaporation. Evaporation is when a liquid turns into a gas, often after being heated.

The amount of water vapor in the air

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air. Humidity. Humidity is the measure of how much water vapor is present in the air.

A large tropical storm with winds of more than 74 mph

Hurricane

A large tropical storm with winds of more than 74 mph. Hurricane. A hurricane is a powerful storm system with strong winds and heavy rain formed over warm ocean waters.

The flow of air from land to sea

Land breeze

The flow of air from land to sea. Land breeze. A land breeze is when cooler air from the land moves toward the sea, usually at night, due to the temperature difference between the land and water.

Water that falls to Earth in any form, like rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Precipitation

Water that falls to Earth in any form, like rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Precipitation. Precipitation is when water droplets or ice crystals in clouds become too heavy and fall to the ground.

The flow of air from the sea to land, in the daytime

Sea breeze

The flow of air from the sea to land, in the daytime. Sea breeze. A sea breeze is a cool wind from the ocean that moves toward the land when the sun heats up the land faster than the water.

A large rise in water levels caused by hurricane waves and winds

Storm surge

A large rise in water levels caused by hurricane waves and winds. Storm surge. Storm surge is the abnormal increase in seawater level during a storm due to strong winds.

A storm with lightning and thunder

Thunderstorm

A storm with lightning and thunder. Thunderstorm. A thunderstorm is a weather event characterized by the presence of lightning and its accompanying sound, thunder.

A spinning funnel-shaped column of wind

Tornado

A spinning funnel-shaped column of wind. Tornado. A tornado is a powerful, rotating storm that forms from thunderstorms and can cause significant damage.

The layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth’s surface

Troposphere

The layer of the atmosphere closest to Earths surface troposphere. The troposphere is where all the weather happens and where we live and breathe.

The atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, like raining and cold

Weather

The atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, like raining and cold. Weather. Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, including factors like temperature, humidity, and precipitation.

Air movement caused by pressure differences

Wind

Air movement caused by pressure differences wind. Wind is the movement of air from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.