Unit 4 Lesson 2pg. 282-291

Big IdeaHow Do the Oceans and the Water Cycle Affect Weather?

Standard● 4.b Students know the influence that

the ocean has on the weather and the role that the water cycle plays in weather patterns.

Language of the Discipline ● Current - a stream of water that flows

like a river through the ocean ● Humidity - a measurement of the

amount of water vapor in the air● Precipitation - water that falls from

clouds to the Earth

The Oceans Affect Weather

pg. 286-287

Input● During the summer our oceans absorb

large amounts of heat.● During the winter the oceans release

the heat into the air above them. o The oceans keep the Earth’s temperatures

steady. ● The oceans are heated unevenly just

like the rest of the Earth.

Input● The unevenly heated surface water of

the oceans is pushed forward by wind resulting in a current. o These currents distribute heat across the

planet.o They carry both warm and cold water long

distances.

Surface Currents

Weather Patterns and the Water Cycle

Pg. 288-289

Input● We learned that the sun drives

currents in the atmosphere and oceans, but it also drives the movement of water in the water cycle.

● The water cycle moves water around the Earth.

● If the planet was not unevenly heated causing wind, the water would evaporate and rain back into the same oceans.

Input● If the wind didn’t move water vapor,

most of the rain would be at the equator (the tropics).

● Global winds move water vapor (clouds) long distances.

● This allows the tropics to lose some heat and water vapor while cooler regions gain heat and moisture.

The Water Cycle

CloudsPg. 290

Input● Most “weather” is actually a part of

the water cycle. ● Water vapor enters the atmosphere.● Some areas have more water vapor in

the air (more humidity). ● Warm air can have more humidity than

cold air.

Input● Clouds form in air that is mostly high

humidity. ● Warm air is pushed up and cools which

condenses the water on to dust particles, eventually forming a cloud.

● This water returns to earth as percipitation.

Precipitationpg. 291

Input● Light drizzle may fall from stratus

clouds. ● Rain and most forms of precipitation

fall from cumulonimbus clouds. ● Snow forms when water vapor turns

directly into ice crystals. ● Sleet and hail form when liquid water

passes through air cold enough to freeze water.

Unanswered Questions● Ask 2 questions of your own.

Summary Write your own! You can do it!!!