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Weather
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The Building Blocks of Weather
Air pressure is caused by the weight of the air molecules above. Even tiny air molecules have some weight, and the huge numbers of air molecules that make up the layers of our atmosphere collectively have a great deal of weight, which presses down on whatever is below. This pressure causes air molecules at the Earth’s surface to be more tightly packed together than those that are high in the atmosphere. Pressure Changes Cause Weather Changes Low pressure causes air to flow up slowly. As air rises, it cools and water vapor within the air is unable to remain a gas. It forms tiny water droplets, making clouds in the sky. Remember to bring an umbrella with you on low pressure days because those clouds might cause precipitation. Delve Deeper... |