1. Weather Patterns
U.S. and Local Weather Patterns

2. US Weather Patterns
In the United States, weather usually moves from west to east.
The daily changing weather is due to the movement of air masses.
Air masses behave in ways that you can predict.
Example: When a cold, dry air mass bumps into a warm, moist air mass,
thunderstorms or snowstorms can occur. (cold front)
Tracking air masses as they move across the country helps forecasters predict
the weather.

3. Local Weather Patterns
Weather changes from day to day and from season to season.

4. Local Weather Patterns
Weather changes from day to day and from season to season.

5. Local Weather Patterns
Seasonal Weather Patterns
~ similar weather patterns are repeated every year
~ NC weather is fairly mild
~ winters are cool, but there are days that are cold (below freezing)
~ summers in NC are hot
~ NC gets a lot of precipitation, mostly rain and more of it in the summer
season
North Carolina can also be affected by hurricanes
~ a hurricane is a large storm that brings heavy rain and strong winds.
Hurricanes form over warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. When a hurricane
moves onto land, it causes floods, beach erosion, and property damage.

6. Local Weather Patterns
Seasonal Weather Patterns