Use the table to answer the question.
Day Observations
1 sunny and warm
2 cloudy and rainy
3 drop in temperature
4 clear skies and cold temperatures
A student tracks the daily weather. The student’s observations are logged in the table. Which factor in the atmosphere best explains the student’s observations?
(1 point)
A cold front moved into the area.
A cold front moved into the area.
A warm air mass replaced a cold air mass.
A warm air mass replaced a cold air mass.
High levels of moisture are contained within an air mass.
High levels of moisture are contained within an air mass.
A warm front moved into the area.
"A Strong Cold Front Threatens the Region"
A cold front moved into the area.
A significant drop in temperature will occur across the area.
movement of large air masses
a meeting of two air masses with major differences in temperature and moisture
A meteorologist uses a weather map to explain an upcoming change in weather. The map shows a blue line with triangles approaching a red line with semicircles. Based on the map, which weather prediction is most valid? (1 point)
Responses
A significant drop in temperature will occur across the area.
A significant drop in temperature will occur across the area.
There is no chance of precipitation in the forecast.
There is no chance of precipitation in the forecast.
Warm temperatures will replace cold temperatures.
Warm temperatures will replace cold temperatures.
Humidity levels will rise.
Which factor in the atmosphere is most responsible for changes in an area’s temperatures and humidity levels?(1 point)
Responses
movement of large air masses
movement of large air masses
amount of precipitation
amount of precipitation
different types of cloud formations
different types of cloud formations
density of air
Use the weather forecast from a meteorologist to answer the question.
“Temperatures will plummet late Thursday night through Saturday. All areas across the eastern region of the state are anticipated to be below freezing by Friday morning and again on Saturday morning. Heavy amounts of snow are possible late Thursday into Friday. High winds can also be expected across the area.”
Which news headline best accounts for this change in weather?
(1 point)
Responses
“A Warm Air Mass Forms over the Region”
“A Warm Air Mass Forms over the Region”
“A Strong Cold Front Threatens the Region”
“A Strong Cold Front Threatens the Region”
“A Cold Air Mass Exits the Region”
“A Cold Air Mass Exits the Region”
“A Warm Front Blankets the Region”
Which condition would most likely require the National Weather Service to issue a severe thunderstorm warning?(1 point)
Responses
a front moving out of an area
a front moving out of an area
an air mass developing over a large body of water
an air mass developing over a large body of water
a meeting of two air masses with major differences in temperature and moisture
a meeting of two air masses with major differences in temperature and moisture
a large amount of moisture in the air condensing to form clouds
a large amount of moisture in the air condensing to form clouds
To determine which factor in the atmosphere best explains the student's observations, we need to analyze the given observations from the table.
Day 1: Sunny and warm
Day 2: Cloudy and rainy
Day 3: Drop in temperature
Day 4: Clear skies and cold temperatures
Based on these observations, we can eliminate the options of "A warm air mass replaced a cold air mass" and "High levels of moisture are contained within an air mass" since these options don't explain the variation of weather conditions observed.
Now, let's consider the remaining options:
1. A cold front moved into the area.
2. A warm front moved into the area.
Since Day 3 shows a drop in temperature, it suggests a change in weather patterns. In this case, the most likely explanation for the observed weather conditions is option 1: A cold front moved into the area. As the cold front moved in, it could have caused the shift from sunny and warm (Day 1) to cloudy and rainy (Day 2) and subsequently cleared up while leaving cold temperatures (Day 4).
Therefore, the factor in the atmosphere that best explains the student's observations is "A cold front moved into the area."