ALCA Members PLC Domains Data Standards Map Plan Curriculum Assessment Strategies

What Is Moisture Advection?

Advection is the transport of an atmospheric property by the wind; moisture advection is the transport of atmospheric water vapor by the wind. The advection of moist air into a region increases the chances of cloudiness whereas the advection of dry air into a region decreases these chances. Weather forecasters pay close attention to moisture advection when predicting cloudiness or precipitation. In particular, the advection of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico is one of the primary mechanisms to provide "fuel" for thunderstorms in Oklahoma.

Engaging Questions

  • At 12:00 AM, where are the highest dew points located? Approximately what values are these highest dew points?

  • In the Panhandle, do the dew points increase or decrease during the day? From what general direction are the winds blowing?

  • What Mesonet variable is color contoured in the first movie? What units are used for this variable?

  • At 4:00 PM, where are the highest dew points located? Approximately what values are these highest dew points?

  • In eastern Oklahoma, do the dew points increase or decrease during the day? From what general direction are the winds blowing?

  • Describe the general trend of how the winds change in Oklahoma from the start of the animation to its end.

  • What physical atmospheric property is measured using dewpoint temperature?

  • In your opinion, what factor(s) influenced how the dew points changed in the Panhandle versus how they changed in eastern Oklahoma?

  • Describe the general trend of how the dewpoint temperatures change in Oklahoma from the start of the animation to its end.

  • How many hours are represented in the movie? During what part(s) of the day (e.g., late afternoon)?

  • What Mesonet variable is represented by color vectors in the second movie? What units are used for this variable?

Teacher Goals

  • In an animation of statewide Mesonet data, the student will be able to list the variable contoured, its units, and the duration represented.

  • The student will be able to analyze meteorological data and arrive at conclusions using animations of dewpoint temperatures and winds.

  • Given an animation of the winds across the state, the student will be able to determine the preferred location(s), if any, for the advection of moisture into the state.

  • Given two animations, one depicting the winds across the state and one depicting dewpoint temperatures, the student will be able to determine what region, if any, experienced increasing moisture as a result of advection.

Required Resources

Optional Resources

  • Pencil

  • QuickTime movie files

    QuickTime movie files: TDEW11041996.mov and WIND11041996.mov

  • WxImage

    This OCS-developed software for the Mac OS can be used as the QuickTime movie player.  (Copyright&copy  1995-1999 Oklahoma Climatological Survey. All Rights Reserved.)

  • OCS Weather Glossary

    This glossary is specific to weather.

Steps

  1. Data analysis

    Using WxImage or another QuickTime® movie player, animate the movie "TDEW11041996.mov" several times. Step through the movie frame-by-frame at least once to examine the changing weather more thoroughly.

  2. Data analysis

    Animate "WIND11041996.mov" several times. Step through the move frame-by-frame at least once.

  3. Data analysis

    1. Working in groups or as instructed by your teacher, review each movie as many times as necessary to answer the Engaging Questions.
    2. As a class, develop a concensus for each of the Engaging Questions.
    3. If necessary, for additional input concerning the questions contact me.

  4. Mesonet Data Access

    If you do not have access to Mesonet's online weather data, one may obtain access using the attached tool.  To do the following step access will be required.

  5. Correlating Factors with GeogWeb Lesson

    Using the advection information from the Mesonet site, identify any possible correlation's between the dew point and other locally collected data. Upload the data into the data form.

Teacher Notes

  • The advection of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico occurs regularly in Oklahoma when the winds are from the southeast or south. This increase in moisture is most evident in the fall (when the Gulf is still warm) and the late spring (when winds are strong). You may use your own animations of dewpoint temperature and wind vectors using current or recent Oklahoma Mesonet data.

    Use this tool to correlate possible events, conditions, and so on with dew point.

  • Duration: 45 to 60 minutes

Learner Notes

  • VOCABULARY:
    Advection
    Contour
    Dew point
    Dewpoint temperature
    Vector

Mentor Notes

  • The advection of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico occurs regularly in Oklahoma when the winds are from the southeast or south. This increase in moisture is most evident in the fall (when the Gulf is still warm) and the late spring (when winds are strong). You may use your own animations of dewpoint temperature and wind vectors using current or recent Oklahoma Mesonet data.

    Use this tool to correlate possible events, conditions, and so on with dew point.

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