It’s happened to all of us; we wake up, excited to dress for summer since it was so warm the day before, and once outside we realize it’s freezing, or even raining. How is this possible! That’s not what the weatherman said on tv!
One example of something that can seriously alter the weather is when cold fronts come in from up north. Cold air is actually denser than warm air as it has less energy, so the heat rises and gets pushed out of the lower atmosphere. When this happens, there is low pressure and the warm air begins to cool, causing rain. Strong winds can also appear.
Humidity can also factor into weather changes. Humidity can be defined as the amount of water in the air and can make the temperature seem hotter than it actually is. The more moisture in the air, the more humid it is. Hurricanes require high humidity levels to develop, and floods and rain are also common in these circumstances. Did you know that sweat can’t evaporate into the air when it is humid since there is already so much water vapor in the air? Humidity also can cause mold.
Atmospheric pressure, or air pressure, is another variable in weather. It is the air’s response to gravity’s pull to Earth. Air pressure drops as altitude increases as does the oxygen in the air, which is why it is harder to breathe in the upper atmosphere. It is also why climbing tall mountains like Mount Everest is so physically challenging (of course besides the actual climbing)! When the air pressure is high, calmer weather can be expected; however, when air pressure is low, wind and precipitation like rain commonly occur.
Now, next time you see weather change suddenly, check humidity levels, atmospheric pressure, and weather radars. See if you can figure out what caused the weather pattern!
About the Author:
Kenzie is a senior at Northwood High School. She likes dancing reading, and theatre and she loves watching Star Wars and Marvel movies!
Sources:
National Geographic Society. “Atmospheric Pressure.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012, www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/atmospheric-pressure/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2022.
---. “Humidity.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012, www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/humidity/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2022.
“What Is a Cold Front? | Wonderopolis.” Www.wonderopolis.org, www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-cold-front. Accessed 29 Apr. 2022.
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