Chapter 3
Weather Fronts and Storms
Vocabulary Review
the boundary between two air
masses
front
a large and often stormy weather
system that occurs when air moves
around and into a low-pressure center,
then moves up to higher altitudes
low-pressure system
a blinding snow storm with winds of at
least 35 mi/hr (56 km/hr), usually with
temperatures below 20 degrees F (-7
degrees C)
blizzard
a large volume of air that has nearly
the same temperature and humidity at
different locations at the same altitude
air mass
a rapid rise in the water level in a coastal
area that occurs when a hurricane
pushes a huge mass of ocean water,
often leading to flooding and widespread
damage
storm surge
a scientist who studies weather
meteorologist
a low pressure-system that starts in
the tropics with winds of at least 40
mi/hr (65 km/hr) but less than 74
mi/hr (120 km/hr)
tropical storm
a violently rotating column of air
stretching from a cloud to the
ground
tornado
a generally calm and clear weather
system that occurs when air sinks down
in a high-pressure center and spreads
out towards areas of lower pressure as it
nears the ground
high-pressure system
a storm with thunder and lightning
thunderstorm
a tropical low-pressure system with
sustained winds of 74 mi/hr (120
km/hr)
hurricane
a line on a weather map connecting
places that have the same air pressure
isobar