Please Note: We do not endorse the sites behind these links. We offer them for your additional research.

Lay 'O the Land - Native Plants | The Wild Life - Native Animals | Down by the Sea | Land Ho! | Weather Watch

Photo by Ted Bowers

University of Florida Herbarium
Florida Plant Life Online
Florida Ferns
Mangroves
Flora and Fauna Database
Florida Native Plants
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants

- Find and list all of the native plants that you can identify in your neighborhood:    

  http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/search_by_county.asp
  http://www.wfnirvana.com/florida/florida.html
  http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/photos.html
  http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/gallery5.html 

Books about Native Plants of Florida

Dressler, R.L.; D.W. Hall, K.D. Perkins, N.H. Williams. 1987. Identification Manual for Wetland Plant Species of Florida. University of Florida, Gainesville. 297 pp. “This field guide was developed to facilitate the identification of wetland indicator species in Florida. Fine photographs and line drawings depict algae and mosses, ferns, conifers, monotocyledons and dicotyledons. Descriptions of 285 species are provided in common terms.”

Hall, D.W. 1978. The Grasses of Florida. Dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville. 498 pp. (Available from University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, MI)  “A floristic treatment of the grasses of Florida, including aquatic species. Includes 125 genera and 504 species, common names, synonymy, habitats, and a review of the morphology of grasses as an aid to their identification.”

Hoyer, M.V., D.E. Canfield, C.A. Horsburgh, K. Brown. 1996. Florida Freshwater Plants - A Handbook of Common Aquatic Plants in Florida Lakes. University of Florida, Gainesville. 280 pp. “Color photographs, botanical descriptions, notes on biology and ecology, distribution in Florida, water chemistry, and bibliographic references for more than 100 species.”

Tarver, D.P., J.A. Rodgers, M.J. Mahler, R.L. Lazor. 1988 (4th ed.). Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Florida. Florida Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Aquatic Plant Management, Tallahassee. 127 pp. “Color photographs, description, habitat, distribution and importance, and wildlife utilization value for approximately 120 species, including algae. Non-technical language.”

Wunderlin, R.P. 1982. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Central Florida. Reprint 1992. A University of South Florida Book, University Presses of Florida, Tampa. 472 pp. “Keys and descriptive flora. No illustration.”

Zomlefer, W.B. 1989. Flowering Plants of Florida - A Guide to Common Families. Biological Illustrations, Inc., Gainesville, FL. 207 pp. “A combination of botanical illustrations and general summaries of the characteristics of 73 plant families, including an extensive, finely detailed illustrated glossary. Not restricted to aquatics.”

Tobe, J.D., K.C. Burks, R.W. Cantrell, et al. 1998. Florida Wetland Plants - An Identification Manual University of Florida, Gainesville. 598 pp. "With more than 800 color photographs and 1,000 entries, Florida Wetland Plants is a definitive work, covering a majority of the plant species found in the Florida Wetland Delineation Methodology, 1994."

Plant a butterfly garden with native Florida plants:

http://www.nsis.org/butterfly/butterfly.html

Follow the instructions on the website above to plan your garden. Make a list of all of the plants that you have used.  Keep a journal of the type of butterflies that your garden has attracted.  Take photos of your garden and the butterflies that it attracts. 

Plant a garden with native Florida plants:

http://www.nsis.org/garden/garden-native.html

Follow the instructions on the website above to plan your garden.  Make a list of all of the plants that you have used in your garden.  Take pictures of your garden, and keep a daily journal of your activities and the results.

Describe the importance of mangroves to Florida’s ecology.   How many different types of mangroves are found in Florida? 

Florida Native Plant Trivia:

For answers to the trivia questions: email [email protected] , with the subject line of FUSE Trivia Answer Request  

• What percentage of all vegetation found in the United States is also found in the state of Florida?  

• Which are the three most predominant forms of vegetation located in the state?

• In what central Florida town are 85 percent of the world’s caladium flowers grown?

• What will you find near Sanford that is believed to be the oldest and largest of its kind in America?

http://floridawildlifemagazine.com/needlist.html
http://floridawildlifemagazine.com/manuscri.html
http://floridawildlifemagazine.com/photosub.html

http://www.fl-fishing.com/cfml/encyclopedia.cfm
http://floridaconservation.org/fishingareas.html

• Florida Bird Songs (includes complete list of Native Florida birds)

http://www.educationplanet.com/search/redirect?id=77114&mfcount=330&mfkw=Florida&startval=20

• Photos of Aquatic Birds

http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/birds.html

• Bird Watching Basics

http://floridabirdingtrail.com/birdid.htm

• Wings Over Florida – Birding Certificate Program

http://wld.fwc.state.fl.us/wof/Default.htm

Wings Over Florida is a FREE awards program for Florida bird watchers. Its purpose is to encourage YOU to take your skills to the next level by identifying as many birds as you can within the state. As your skills increase and you identify more and more birds, you can apply for higher and higher levels of achievement. Full color certificates are awarded at five levels starting at a life list of 50 Florida species (Beginner) and ending at 350 species (Elite Florida Birder). Simply fill out a Wings Over Florida checklist and application sheet and send it to the Commission for review.

- Plant a garden to attract Florida birds:
Use the following websites to plan your garden. Research which animals that you would like to attract to your garden. Plan your garden with your parents permission. Take pictures of your garden and include your pictures and research in a gardening journal. Keep track of which Florida birds are attracted to your garden and try to take pictures of them enjoying the habitat that you built for them.

http://www.nsis.org/garden/garden-native-birds.html
http://www.nsis.org/garden/garden-native-wildlife.html
http://www.nsis.org/bird/bird-sp.html
http://www.nsis.org/bird/bird-spw.html

- Florida Manatee

http://www.educationplanet.com/search/redirect?id=58009&mfcount=330&mfkw=Florida&startval=20
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/infocentral/fact/animman.html
http://www.savethemanatee.org/info.htm
http://www.cep.unep.org/kids/kids.html

Materials:

• clay
• material scraps
• soil
• cardboard
• sticks
• sand
• foam rubber
• construction paper
• tissue paper
• paint
• any other building materials

Directions

• Feeding areas
• Viewing areas for visitors
• Landscaping
• Areas where Animal Care Specialists can isolate the manatees for medical care
• Shade

• Panels should be no more than 75 words long.
• Panels should be illustrated with a picture that shows each panel's theme.
• Panels should include information such as what state the animal is from (perhaps a map), something interesting about its lifestyle, and why it's threatened or endangered.

http://www.educationplanet.com/search/redirect?id=77112&mfcount=330&mfkw=Florida&startval=0
http://www.educationplanet.com/search/redirect?id=77112&mfcount=330&mfkw=Florida&startval=0

http://www.educationplanet.com/search/redirect?id=77112&mfcount=330&mfkw=Florida&startval=0

• Checklist of Florida’s Amphibians and Reptiles

http://www.educationplanet.com/search/redirect?id=77112&mfcount=330&mfkw=Florida&startval=0

http://www.atlantic.net/~oldfla/panther/moreinfo.html
http://www.panther.state.fl.us/

http://www.audubon.org/campaign/refuge/refuges/florida.html

For answers to the trivia questions: email [email protected] , with the subject line of FUSE Trivia Answer Request  

• Which type of animal are the most Florida towns named for? 
• What have spiny lobsters been known to do off the Florida coast after a strong fall storm? 
• To what animal family does the conch belong? 
• What sea animal made Apalachicola famous? 
• What do you do with the rest of a stone crab after you remove its claw? 
• What are loggerheads? 
• What kind of fish can walk? 
• What animals did lonely sailors mistake as humans, sparking the mermaid legend? 
• Blue Spring State Park, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, was the state’s first sanctuary for what animal? 
• Juan Ponce de Leon is credited with introducing what animal to Florida? 
• What endangered predator roams the Everglades? 
• How does Florida rank among states in number of species of snakes? 
• Miami ranks first nationally in prevalence of what destructive household pest? 
• Where does Florida rank in number of endangered or threatened species? 
• What historic distinction is held by the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, near Sebastian? 
• How does Florida rank among the states in number of bald eagles?

Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Lighthouses 

Name the three bodies of water that surround Florida. 

Explain how Florida’s location led to the description “Gateway to South America”. 

Name three reasons why Florida’s salt water resources are so important.  

Read about Ocean Currents, Tides and Waves:

http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/currents1.htm http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/currents2.htm http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/tides1.htm http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/waves1.htm http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/waves2.htm
http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/waves3.htm http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/waves4.htm  

Read about Florida’s unique oceans, estuaries, bays, beaches, coral reefs and the Gulf Stream at this website: 

http://www.gorp.com/gorp/location/fl/fishing/marine.htm 

What is marine debris?  Visit this website for a description:  www.yoto98.noaa.gov/books/debris/debris2.htm

Go on a beach walk with a large garbage bag and wear gloves to collect as much trash as your bag can hold.  This will help keep the garbage from washing and blowing into the ocean to become marine debris that often entangles and kills sea life. 

Read The History of the Gulfstream at this site:  
http://www.keyshistory.org/gulfstream.html

Define the following terms as they are related to waves:

• Wave

• Trough

• Amplitude

• Frequency

• Hertz

• Wavelength

• Crest

• Transverse wave

• Longitudinal wave

• Standing waves

• Circular wave

• Reflection

• Refraction

Science Experiment:

Investigate what happens to waves you make with a medicine dropper in a pan of water?

You will need:
flat pan, medicine dropper, and water

Background:
Read about circular waves that are made in a ripple tank.  What will be different between your experiment and the ripple tank experiment?

What to do:
Fill the flat pan about half full of water.   Then place the pan on the floor or on a tabletop.  Fill a medicine dropper with water.  Allow one drop of water to fall from the medicine dropper into the center of the pan of water.  Notice what happens when the wave made by the drop of water hits the sides of the pan. 

Next, allow one drop of water to fall from the medicine dropper into the water near a corner of the pan.  Notice what happens when the wave made by the drop of water hits the sides of the pan in this case. 

Now allow drops of water to fall from the medicine dropper into the center of the pan at a regular rate.  Make a sketch of the pattern of waves that you see.  Then let drops of water fall at a regular rate into the water near a corner of the pan.  Make a sketch of the pattern of waves that you see. 

What happened when a circular wave that started in the center of the pan hit the sides of the pan?  Explain. 

What happened when a circular wave that started near a corner of the pan hit the sides of the pan?  Explain. 

What caused the pattern of waves that you saw when drops of water fell into the center of the pan at a regular rate?  Explain. 

What caused the patter of waves that you saw when drops of water fell near a corner of the pan at a regular rate?  Explain. 

What could be done to simulate the waves that you see at the beach?  Write down your investigation in detail, and demonstrate your experiment to your friends and family.   

Locate the lighthouses that are in your area.  Take a picture of the lighthouse and write a report on the history of your local lighthouse.

Find out more about lighthouses at the following website:
http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/habitats/beaches2.html 

Source: Florida Department of Commerce

Land Forms, Geographical Regions 

Dr. Robert Marcus and Dr. Edward Fernald divided Florida into four landform regions, name them and describe where they are located and what makes them different from the other regions in Florida.  Draw a map of Florida that shows where these landforms are located.  

Name the three sources of fresh water in Florida.  What is the major source of fresh water in Florida?  What is the second major source of fresh water in Florida?   

Identify five of Florida’s rivers.

Name Florida’s longest river.  Describe where it starts and ends in the state.  In what direction does this river flow?  What springs feed their waters into this river? 

How many lakes are located in Florida?  What is Florida’s largest lake?  What is the size and average depth of the largest lake in Florida?  What is its size in relation to all the lakes in the United States?  

What is meant by the term aquifer?  Why is Florida’s aquifer so important? 

Describe a first-magnitude spring.  How many are located in Florida?  Draw a map and show where the first-magnitude springs are located in Florida. 

The Everglades are divided into five distinct regions.  Name and describe each region of the Everglades.  Where are the Everglades located in the state?  How many acres does the Everglades National Park occupy?   What is the biggest problem facing the Everglades today?   

Taken overall, including areas which are influenced by tidal action, what is the total area of coastline in Florida?  What type of coastline is Florida considered to have?

Define the following terms:

• tidal action

• irregular coastline

• regular coastline

• sounds (as it relates to the coastline)

• inlets

• lagoons

• barrier island

• beach

• primary dune

• trough

• secondary dune

• back dune

• bayshore

• salt water bays

• panhandle

• peninsula

What purpose do the barrier islands of Florida serve?  Draw a diagram of the natural landform of a barrier island.  What is the danger of construction on these islands?   

-          What is a wetland?

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/refuges/c065.html

• What historical district does the Ocala National Forest claim?
• What does Paynes Prairie, just south of Gainesville, do about four times every century?
• What natural feature in North Florida's Alachua County is called Devil's Millhopper?
• What swamp covers an area of South Florida bigger than Delaware?
• What park did President Harry Truman dedicate on December 6, 1947?
• What underwater formation will you find in the Panhandle's Wakulla County that is believed to be the largest of it's kind in the United States?

Hurricanes, Thunderstorms, Drought, Flooding, and Sunshine  

Florida Weather Trivia:

For answers to the trivia questions: email [email protected] , with the subject line of FUSE Trivia Answer Request

·         The state’s hottest day on record (as of 1995) was June 29, 1931, in Monticello.  How hot did it get?

·         Key West claims to be the only city in the continental United States to never have experienced what?

·         What weather event occurred in Miami on January 19, 1977, that people thought would never happen?

·         Florida has more of what weather phenomenon than any other place in the Northern Hemisphere?

·         What can account for as much as 30 percent of the September rainfall in parts of North Florida?

·         What town was all but destroyed by the September 18, 1926, hurricane?

Home Meteorology

Most of us have heard a television meteorologist talk about the dew point and the relative humidity, yet few of us know what those quantities are. Find out more...

List the severe weather safety guidelines for the following:

1. Tornadoes and Severe Damaging Winds

2.  Hail (from thunderstorms)

3.  Lightning

4.  Flooding

5. Hurricanes and Storm Surge

6.  Extreme Heat

Answers found at: http://205.156.54.206/er/lwx/swep/Safety.htm

Hurricanes –

Research a past hurricane, print out a tracking chart (or get one at your local library), and plot the hurricane’s path.  Write a report about the damage that the hurricane caused, and any other significant facts about the hurricane that you have chosen.
http://www.fema.gov/kids/hurrtrac.htm

Use the tracking chart on this website to track current hurricanes or tropical storms: 

http://www.fema.gov/kids/hurrtrac.htm

For more information on hurricanes, go to the following websites:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/readyhurricane.html

http://www.discovery.com/stories/science/hurricanes/track.html

http://discovery.com/stories/science/hurricanes/hurricanes.html

Create your own hurricane online:

http://discovery.com/stories/science/hurricanes/create.html

Hurricane Math - Complete the following quiz:
http://www.fema.gov/cgi-shl/kids/quizbuilder.cfm?quiz=math_hurr&prize=1

Write a severe weather safety plan for your family.  Include a hurricane safety checklist.  Read about hurricanes at the following website:
http://205.156.54.206/om/brochures/hurrbro.htm 

HURRICANE TERMS:
Match the following terms with the meanings listed below:

Terms:

§         Tropical disturbance

§         Tropical depression

§         Tropical storm

§         Hurricane

§         Eye

§         Eye wall

§         Spiral bands

§         Storm surge 

§         Advisory

§         Best Track

§         Center

§         Center/Vortex Fix

§         Cyclone

§         Eastern North Pacific Basin

§         Eye

§         Eye Wall/Wall Cloud

§         Explosive Deepening

§         Extratropical

§         Fujiwhara Effect

§         Gale Warning

§         High Wind Warning

§         Hurricane/Typhoon

§         Hurricane Local Statement

§         Hurricane Season

§         Hurricane Warning

§         Hurricane Watch

§         Post-Storm Report

§         Preliminary Report

§         Present Movement

§         Probability of Tropical Cyclone Conditions

§         Rapid Deepening

§         Relocated

§         Storm Surge

§         Storm Tide

§         Storm Warning

§         Subtropical Cyclone

§         Subtropical Depression

§         Subtropical Storm

§         Synoptic Track

§         Tropical Cyclone

§         Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day

§         Tropical Depression

§         Tropical Disturbance

§         Tropical Storm

§         Tropical Storm Warning

§         Tropical Storm Watch

§         Tropical Wave

            Meanings:

a. - Evolves from a tropical storm. Rotary circulation has become pronounced and an eye is detectable. Constant wind speeds are 74 mph or greater.

b. - A moving area of thunderstorms in the Tropics that maintains its identity for 24 hours or more.

c. - A wall of thunderstorms around the eye.

d. - A cluster of thunderstorms in the tropics that maintains its identity and shows rotary circulation at the surface with constant wind speeds of 38 mph or less.

e. - The center of the hurricane where winds are light and skies are clear to partly cloudy. The eye is rimmed by massive thunderstorms producing torrential rains and extreme winds.

f. - Bands of thunderstorms that appear to spiral in toward the hurricane's center.

g. - a dome of water often 50 miles wide that comes sweeping across the coastline near the area where the eye of the hurricane makes landfall.

h. - Evolves from a tropical depression or may be a hurricane in its dissipating stage. Rotary circulation is distinct and constant wind speeds range from 39 to 73 mph.

i. - Official information issued by tropical cyclone warning centers describing all tropical cyclone watches and warnings in effect along with details concerning tropical cyclone locations, intensity and movement, and precautions that should be taken. Advisories are also issued to describe: (a) tropical cyclones prior to issuance of watches and warnings and (b) subtropical cyclones.

j. - A subjectively smoothed path, versus a precise and very erratic fix-to-fix path, used to represent tropical cyclone movement. It is based on an assessment of all available data.

k. - A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere.

l. - A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection--generally 100 to 300 nmi in diameter---originating in the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field.

m. - A coordinated mission plan that tasks operational weather reconnaissance requirements during the next 1100 to 1100 UTC day or as required, describes reconnaissance flights committed to satisfy both operational and research requirements, and identifies possible reconnaissance requirements for the succeeding 24-hour period.

n. - A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) or more.

o. - Weather reconnaissance mission flown to provide vital meteorological information in data sparse ocean areas as a supplement to existing surface, radar, and satellite data. Synoptic flights better define the upper atmosphere and aid in the prediction of tropical cyclone development and movement.

p. - A low pressure system that develops over subtropical waters that initially has a non-tropical circulation but in which some elements of tropical cyclone cloud structure are present. Subtropical cyclones can evolve into tropical cyclones. Subtropical cyclones are generally of two types:

(1) An upper level cold low with circulation extending to the surface and maximum sustained winds generally occurring at a radius of about 100 miles or more from the pressure center.

(2) A mesoscale cyclone originating in or near a frontolyzing zone of horizontal wind shear, with radius of maximum sustained winds generally less than 30 miles. The entire circulation sometimes encompasses an area initially no more than 100 miles in diameter. These generally short-lived, marine cyclones may vary in structure from cold to warm core.

q. - The vertical axis or core of a tropical cyclone. It is usually determined by cloud vorticity patterns, wind, and/or pressure distributions.

r. - An announcement that a tropical storm poses or tropical storm conditions pose a threat to coastal areas generally within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch should normally not be issued if the system is forecast to attain hurricane strength.

s. - A warning of 1-minute sustained surface winds of 48 kt (55 mph or 88 km/hr) or greater, either predicted or occurring, not directly associated with tropical cyclones.

t. - A term used in an advisory to indicate that a vector drawn from the preceding advisory position to the latest know position is not necessarily a reasonable representation of the cyclone's movement.

u. - A warm-core, nonfrontal low pressure system of synoptic scale that develops over tropical or subtropical waters and has a definite organized surface circulation.

v. - An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide.

w. - A warning for tropical storm conditions including sustained winds within the range of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph or 63 to 118 km/hr) that are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less.

x. - A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 33 kt (38 mph or 62 km/hr) or less.

y. - A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 63 kt (73 mph or 118 km/hr).

z. - A report summarizing the life history and effects of an Atlantic or eastern Pacific tropical cyclone. It contains a summary of the cyclone life cycle and pertinent meteorological data, including the post-analysis best track (six-hourly positions and intensities) and other meteorological statistics. It also contains a description of damage and casualties the system produced, as well as information on forecasts and warnings associated with the cyclone. NHC writes a preliminary report on every tropical cyclone in its area of responsibility.

aa. - A warning that sustained winds 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

bb. - A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 33 kt (38 mph or 62 km/hr) or less.

cc. - The probability, in percent, that the cyclone center will pass within 50 miles to the right or 75 miles to the left of the listed location within the indicated time period when looking at the coast in the direction of the cyclone's movement.

dd. - The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge.

ee. - A report issued by a local National Weather Service office summarizing the impact of a tropical cyclone on it's forecast area. These reports include information on observed winds, pressures, storm surges, rainfall, tornadoes, damage and casualties.

ff. - A decrease in the minimum sea-level pressure of a tropical cyclone of 1.75 mb/hr or 42 mb for 24 hours.

gg. - The best estimate of the movement of the center of a tropical cyclone at a given time and given position. This estimate does not reflect the short-period, small scale oscillations of the cyclone center.

hh. - The location of the center of a tropical or subtropical cyclone obtained by reconnaissance aircraft penetration, satellite, radar, or synoptic data.

ii. - The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico runs from June 1 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific basin runs from May 15 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Central Pacific basin runs from June 1 to November 30.

jj. - An atmospheric closed circulation rotating counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

kk. - An announcement of specific coastal areas that a hurricane or an incipient hurricane condition poses a possible threat, generally within 36 hours.

ll. - A warm-core tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or more. The term hurricane is used for Northern Hemisphere cyclones east of the International Dateline to the Greenwich Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Pacific cyclones north of the Equator west of the International Dateline.

mm. - 1-minute average surface winds of 35 kt (40 mph or 64 km/hr) or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, or winds gusting to 50 kt (58 mph or 93 km/hr) or greater regardless of duration that are either expected or observed over land.

nn. - A public release prepared by local National Weather Service offices in or near a threatened area giving specific details for its county/parish warning area on (1) weather conditions, (2) evacuation decisions made by local officials, and (3) other precautions necessary to protect life and property.

oo. - A decrease in the minimum sea-level pressure of a tropical cyclone of 2.5 mb/hr for at least 12 hours or 5 mb/hr for at least six hours.

pp. - The region north of the Equator east of 140W. The National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL is responsible for tracking tropical cyclones in this region.

qq. - A term used in advisories and tropical summaries to indicate that a cyclone has lost its "tropical" characteristics. The term implies both poleward displacement of the cyclone and the conversion of the cyclone's primary energy source from the release of latent heat of condensation to baroclinic (the temperature contrast between warm and cold air masses) processes. It is important to note that cyclones can become extratropical and still retain winds of hurricane or tropical storm force.

rr. - A binary interaction where tropical cyclones within a certain distance (300-750 nm depending on the sizes of the cyclones) of each other begin to rotate about a common midpoint.

ss. - An organized band of cumuliform clouds immediately surrounding the center of a tropical cyclone. Eye wall and wall cloud are used synonymously.

tt. - A warning of 1-minute sustained surface winds in the range 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 47 kt (54 mph or 87 km/hr) inclusive, either predicted or occurring not directly associated with tropical cyclones.

uu. - The relatively calm center of the tropical cyclone that is more than one half surrounded by wall cloud.

Answers found at: 
http://205.156.54.206/er/lwx/swep/Terms.htm                                http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW/glossary.htm 
 

            Thunderstorms –

Although Florida is known as the sunshine state, it is also the U.S. thunderstorm capital. Heavy rain from summer storms gives Florida abundant rainfall even though skies are sunny most of the time. Florida is usually dry during winter - which gives tourists a sunny, warm respite from the winter cold.

List the basic facts about thunderstorms:

http://205.156.54.206/er/lwx/swep/Spotting.html    

To find out about Lightning from NASA, go to:

http://thunder.nsstc.nasa.gov/primer/ 

Write a report about what you found the most interesting about lightning and/or what you learned about lightning that you didn’t already know before reading.

Cloud in the Bottle 

Materials Needed:

-1 Clear plastic 2-liter soda bottle (remove label)
-1 Sheet black construction paper
-Water
-Matches (Be sure to have adult supervision)

Instructions:
Step 1: Pour 2 inches of very hot tap water into the 2-liter bottle.

Step 2: Place your mouth over the opening and blow into it to ensure the bottle is fully expanded. Immediately seal the bottle tightly.

Step 3: Shake the bottle vigorously for one minute. This will distribute water molecules in the air.

Step 5: With adult supervision, light a match. Let it burn for two seconds, then drop it into the bottle. Quickly recap the bottle.

Step 6: Lay the bottle on its side with the black paper behind it. Press hard on the bottle for ten seconds. The bottle is strong, so don't be afraid to really push hard. Release, observe, and repeat until a cloud forms.

Step 7: When the cloud has formed, quickly unscrew the cap. You should see the cloud escape from the bottle. If not, give the bottle a light squeeze

Scientific Principle:

By following the steps, you have created the conditions necessary for cloud formation: water vapor in the air, smoke particles for water to collect on, and cooling of the air by lowering the air pressure within the bottle. Voila! Instant cloud formation. Clouds form when condensation collects dust particles, which you provided with the smoke from the match.  

To learn more about the different types of clouds, go to the following website:

http://vortex.plymouth.edu/clouds.html

Match the Terms with their meanings:

THUNDERSTORM TERMS: 

• Cumulus cloud 

• Towering cumulus cloud

• Thunderstorm (cumulonimbus)

• Precipitation shaft 

• Hail 

• Squall line 

• Anvil 

• Mammatus (or mamma clouds) 

• Gust front 

• Shelf cloud 

• Roll cloud 

• Rain-free base 

• Wall cloud 

• Funnel cloud 

• Updraft 

• Tornado 

• Flanking line 

• Hook echo 

• Scud clouds

• Downdraft 

• Downburst 

• Microburst 

• Macroburst 

• Severe thunderstorm 

Meanings:

a. - a cauliflower shaped cloud with a flat base and sharp edges. Tufts are rising columns of air condensing. As the cloud and cloud droplets grow in size, the base will begin to gray.

b. - a visible column of rain or hail falling from the base of the cloud.

c. - Low cloud fragments often seen in association with and behind thunderstorm gust fronts. These clouds are ragged and wind torn and are not usually attached to the thunderstorm.

d. - A radar pattern sometimes observed in the southwest (right, rear) quadrant of a tornadic thunderstorm. The rain echo forms the hook pattern as air rotates around the strong updraft. The updraft is the hollow portion of the hook (looks like a backwards "J" or a 6) and is where the tornado would most likely be found (if the storm were to produce one).

e. - the towering cumulus cloud has continued to grow in height and width and now lightning is occurring. The storm may extend 5 to 10 miles high into the atmosphere and 5 to 25 miles across. Heavy rains and gusty winds often accompany the storms.

f. - A small downburst effecting an area less than 2.5 Km in diameter.

g. - A line of cumulus clouds connected to and extending outward from the most active portion of a parent cumulonimbus, usually found on the southwest (right, rear) side of a storm. The cloud line has roughly a stair step appearance with the taller clouds adjacent to the parent cumulonimbus. It is most frequently associated with strong or severe thunderstorms.

h. - a violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending to the thunderstorm base often seen extending from near the wall cloud. It can be a few yards across to a mile wide.

i. - on rare occasions, a shelf cloud may turn into a roll cloud. The motions of the warm air riding up and over the cool air moving down and under creates a swirling of air or an eddy. The cloud takes on the shape of a horizontal tube that appears to be rolling. It is detached from the thunderstorm on its leading edge.

j. - A thunderstorm producing damaging winds or winds greater than 58 mph and/or hail three-quarter of an inch or greater.

k.  - the dark underside of a cloud (its base) that has no visible precipitation falling from it. This marks the updraft of a thunderstorm.

l. - this cloud appears as an abrupt lowering of the cloud base from the relatively flat rain-free base. It is attached to a thunderstorm and may be rotating. This is the portion of the thunderstorm from which the tornado often descends.

m. - a solid line or band of active thunderstorms.

n. - A sudden rush of cool air toward ground that can impact with speeds over 70 mph and produce damage similar to that of a tornado. It usually occurs near the leading edge of the storm or may occur in heavy rain.

o. - the leading edge of the thunderstorm's downdraft of air as it spreads out away from the storm. It is usually felt as a change to gusty cool winds and often precedes the thunderstorm's rain by several minutes.

p. - A larger downburst effecting an area greater than 2.5 Km in diameter.

q. - these clouds appear to be hanging, rounded protuberances or pouches on the underside of the cloud. With thunderstorms, it is usually seen under the anvil and often accompany severe thunderstorms.

r. - a cumulus cloud that continues to grow so that its height is taller than or equal to its width. It is first stage to growing into a thunderstorm. It may be producing a shower.

s. - A column of cool air that sinks toward the ground. It is most often accompanied by rain.

t. - a funnel-shaped cloud extending from a towering cumulus or thunderstorm. It is associated with a rotating column of air that has condensed to form a cloud.

u. - The spreading out (by strong winds) of the upper portion of the thunderstorm. It usually has a fibrous or smooth appearance. With long lasting thunderstorms, the anvil may spread 100 miles downwind.

v. - a low-level, wedge-shaped cloud attached to the thunderstorm. It forms above the gust front as warm air ahead of the storm rides over the cool outflow from the thunderstorm.

w. - Precipitation in the form of balls or clumps of ice.

x. - Warm, moist, rising air. As the air rises, it condenses into a visible cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud. The updraft fuels the storm. In an ordinary thunderstorm, air rises at 40 mph and in a severe thunderstorm speeds may reach over 100 mph.

Answers found at: http://205.156.54.206/er/lwx/swep/Terms.htm

Drought –

Define the following terms:

1.      Meteorological drought

2.      Agricultural drought

3.      Hydrological drought

4.      Socioeconomic drought

http://enso.unl.edu/ndmc/enigma/def2.htm

List the impacts of drought (economic, environmental, and social).

http://enso.unl.edu/ndmc/enigma/impacts.htm

List the current stresses on water resources around the globe.

Although we don't know how climate change will affect regional water resources, it is clear that water resources are already stressed, independent of climate change, and any additional stress from climate change or increased variability, will only intensify the competition for water resources.

http://enso.unl.edu/ndmc/enigma/cchange.htm

Flooding -

FLOOD TERMS:

• Flash flood 

• River flood 

• Coastal flood 

• Urban flood 

• Bankfull 

• Flood stage 

• Flood crest

          Meanings:

a. - a flood on large river such as the Potomac take a tremendous amount of rain and usually develops over a period of one to two days. Rain water first runs into the small streams which flow into the larger branches and eventually end up in the main stem of the river. A flood crest from heavy rains in West Virginia may take 2 days or more to reach Washington, D.C.

b. - pavement which causes rapid runoff (rain can't soak into the ground so it runs downhill) and poor drainage can lead to flooded roadways and underpasses and even become deadly.

c. - a flood that occurs suddenly during or shortly following heavy rains or from a sudden release of water as in a dam break. Small streams and creeks usually react the fastest to heavy rains and rise several feet in hours or even minutes.

d. - the height of the river at which property damage begins to occur. Often differs from bankfull. The river may overflow its banks into flood plain without reaching flood stage.

e. - high tides, persistent onshore winds or a hurricane storm surge can cause flooding along coastal areas.

f. - the highest height that the river reaches during a flood event.

g. - the maximum height of the river before it overflows its banks.

Answers found at: http://205.156.54.206/er/lwx/swep/Terms.htm 

            Sunshine –

          Explain why Florida is known as the “Sunshine State”.
            What is the average annual  temperature in the state.   
            What are the two factors that cause Florida to have sub-tropical weather?
            Define the term climate and list four factors that influence climate.  

          Florida Sunshine Shake

1 cup Florida Orange Juice
1/2 cup Florida Grapefruit Juice
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth.  Pour into glass, and serve immediately.

Makes two 8-ounce servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING:  182 cal., 4 g pro., 40 g carbo., 1 g fat (0.1 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 37 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 91 mg vit. C.