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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 4:
Common Atmospheric Phenomena
Science – Grade 7
Quarter 4 – Module 4: Common Atmospheric Phenomena
First Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education – Region XI

Regional Director: Evelyn R. Fetalvero, EdD, CESO IV

Assistant Regional Director: Maria Ines C. Asuncion, EdD, CESO V

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Editor: Elvie B. Pama
Reviewer: Dinah G. Oani, Genevaive M. Pepito, Rhiza T. Erbina, Joyce C. Unabia
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Faye Genevieve P. Pasamonte

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Division of Davao City

Office Address: E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City

Telephone: (082) 227 4762
E-mail Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph
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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 4:
Common Atmospheric Phenomena
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them
to manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different
activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded
of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,
do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind
that you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will
experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the
relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

A marvelous day to you our dearest learners! In this module, you will learn
the different atmospheric phenomena common in the Philippines and how these
affect people.

Specifically, you are expected to:

● Account for the occurrences of sea breeze, land breeze, monsoons, and
intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) - (MELC)
● Explain the impacts of these phenomena to Filipinos’ way of life.

Let Us Try!

Read the items carefully. Choose the best answer and write this on a separate
paper.

1. Which of the following best explains ITCZ?

A. The zone where warm air rises.
B. The zone where cold fronts form in the equator.
C. The zone where the west winds meet the subtropical high-pressure
belt.
D. The zone where the winds from the northern hemisphere and
southern hemisphere meet.

2. Which of the following heats up faster - land or water?

A. Land heats up faster than water.
B. Water heats up faster than land.
C. Both land and water warm up at the same rate.
D. Rate of warming varies depending on weather conditions and
climate.

3. What happens to the surrounding air when warm air rises?

A. The surrounding air will move in all directions.
B. The surrounding air will move to a higher place.
C. The surrounding air will move away from the rising air.
D. The surrounding air will move towards the place where warm air
is rising.

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4. Which of the following best differentiates sea breeze from land breeze?
A. Sea breeze and land breeze both happen in the day.
B. Sea breeze and land breeze both happen in the night.
C. Sea breeze happens in the night and land breeze happens in the
day.
D. Sea breeze happens in the day and land breeze happens in the
night.

5. In what way does monsoon affect the way of life of farmers?

A. Huge waves in the seas
B. Lightning for power plants
C. Sunlight to wither the agricultural crops
D. Water for vegetation and other agricultural crops

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 Let Us Study

Observe the illustration below. What comes to your mind while observing
the illustration?

Figure 1. Common Atmospheric Phenomena in the Philippines

Wind, cloud, fog, and rain are just some of the common atmospheric
phenomena that we experience here in the Philippines. We also experience
different destructive atmospheric phenomena such as typhoons and tornadoes.
There is no way by which we could stop these events from taking place since
these are natural processes that shape the Earth. All we can do is to learn about
them so we could better prepare ourselves as these are things that we constantly
experience.

Common Atmospheric Phenomena

Winds are called the “moving air” or the air that moves horizontally. The
wind that you feel whenever you are at the beach are one of the common
atmospheric phenomena. This phenomenon occurs when there is an unequal
heating of the Earth’s surface. This heating causes air to move in a certain
direction. The direction of the wind can be determined using the wind vane. When

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the wind is blowing, the wind vane points into the wind. For example, if the wind
blows from the west, the wind vane points westward.

Figure 2. A typical wind vane used to determine the direction of the wind.

How do winds develop? Where does the process start? As mentioned above,
the heating of the earth’s surface would give rise to the so-called wind.

During the day, the surface of the Earth will warm up quickly. The air
above the warmer surface will become warmer, too. Now, what will happen if the
air becomes warmer? Warmer air is less dense than cold air therefore it becomes
lighter. (See Figure 3)

Figure 3. The air molecules when under hot and cold conditions.

Since the warm air became lighter, it rises. When warm air is rising, the
colder air in the surroundings will move to the place where warm air is rising to
fill and replace the rising warm air. This movement of the air, which is also felt
as blowing, is what we call as wind. This process happens continuously and
creates a cycle which is known as Air Convection. Generally, air convection is a
process of air circulation wherein the warm air is rising giving way to cooler air
to sink and replace the rising warm air (See Figure 4).

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 Figure 4. Convection Cycle

However, warming and cooling of the air differ among the two surfaces of
the earth. The surface of the Earth is basically made of two: land and water
(ocean and seas). As we all know, the sun always gives off its energy, however, it
is unequally absorbed by the land and water. Which do you think heats or cools
faster?

Sea Breeze

During the day, as the Sun heats the Earth’s surface, the land heats up
faster than the water in the sea. Therefore, the air over the land becomes warmer
than the air over the water. The warm air over the land expands and rises. Then,
the cool air above the sea blows inland from the sea to replace the rising air. That
is why when you walk along the shore during the day, the wind is cooler. This
phenomenon is called the Sea Breeze.

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 Figure 5. How sea breeze occurs

Land Breeze

At night, when the Sun has set, the land and sea will cool down. However,
the land will lose heat and cool down faster than the water in the sea. Thus, the
sea will stay warm longer this time. Since the sea is now warmer than the land,
the air above the sea is also warmer causing it to rise. The air from the land will
then move out to the sea to replace the rising air. Therefore when you have your
night swimming the sea water is warm but when you will be out of the water, you
will feel too cold. This phenomenon is called Land Breeze.

Figure 6. How Land Breeze occurs

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 Also, as you can see in both illustrations, the area where the warm air rises
are called the low pressure area while the area where the cool air sinks, since it
is denser than the warm air, is called the high pressure area. The movement of
the air is always from the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area.

Moreover, the term LPA (Low Pressure Area) which we often hear from the
weather forecast, is sometimes misunderstood as typhoons. As we have learned
from our previous discussion, LPA is an area wherein the warm air rises. The
LPA is not necessarily a typhoon but an indication of rainfall due to greater
accumulation of water vapor in the atmosphere brought by the rising warm air.

Monsoons

Land and sea breeze can occur over a wider area. During summer, the land
gradually gets warmer than the sea. A large “sea breeze” blows steadily inland
from the sea even at night. On the contrary, during the colder seasons, the land
cools faster than the sea, and “land breeze” blows steadily from the land to the
sea. Sea and Land breezes over a large region which changes direction with the
seasons are called monsoons.

Monsoons are wind systems which are usually accompanied by heavy

rainfall which greatly affects our country. In the Philippines, monsoons are
known as Hanging Amihan and Hanging Habagat. What is the difference
between the two?

Amihan or known as the Northeast Monsoon is a wind system

experienced by Filipinos during colder months, from December to February. The
wind during this time, blows from the higher-pressure area in the Asian
continent to the low pressure area, south of the Philippines. (Source: 2nd Part of
the First Edition of Science-Grade 7 Learners’ Material, Unit 4:Earth and Space).

In Figure 7, the wind, before it reaches the Philippines in the month of

January, had passed over some bodies of water (See the broken arrows within
the highlighted part of Figure 7). Along the way, the wind absorbs moisture
which causes rains to the eastern part as it reaches the country. The prevailing
winds in our country during these months come from the northeast.

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 Figure 7. Plot of pressure and wind in January

Habagat or known as the Southwest Monsoon is a wind system wherein

the wind will move from the higher-pressure area in Australia to the low pressure
area in the Asian continent. This happens during the warmer months, around
June to November. During these months, the prevailing winds in our country
come from the southwest (See Figure 8).

Figure 8. Plot of pressure and wind in July

Mostly, the southwest monsoon (hanging habagat) brings more rain than
the northeast monsoon (hanging amihan). Winds of the southwest monsoon
absorb more moisture as it passes warm ocean waters which are directly hit by

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the sun due to their location near the equator. This increases the great possibility
of rainfall when it reaches the Philippines (See the upward arrows coming from
the south of the Philippines within the highlighted part of Figure 8).

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Have you ever heard of the term ITCZ? Do you know what it means?

ITCZ or the Intertropical Convergence Zone is the place where winds in

the areas near the equator meet or converge. In this region, the air from the
Northern hemisphere and the air from the Southern hemisphere come together.
How do air from the Northern hemisphere and air from the Southern hemisphere
converge? Where do they converge?

The equator or near the equator is warmer than any other places on Earth
because of the Sun’s direct rays, the air in the equator is also warmer than any
other places on earth. Hence, the air in the equator rises faster than the air from
above the equator (Northern Hemisphere) and the air below the equator
(Southern Hemisphere). As the warm air in the equator rises, the cooler air from
the Northern and Southern Hemispheres moves towards the equator where the
warm air is rising. Since the air from Northern and Southern Hemispheres are
moving from the opposite origin towards the same direction in the equator, they
would meet and converge, hence, the term convergence zone. Also, it is called
intertropical because the areas near the equator are called the tropics (See
Figure 9).

Figure 9. The Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ

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 Therefore, ITCZ is the place where the wind in the tropical areas meet or
converge. Accumulated warm air rising in the ITCZ will eventually form into
clouds and develop further into rains and thunderstorms.

Additionally, the Philippines is greatly affected by this phenomenon due to

its location in the tropics just above the equator. Also, the largest body of water
on earth, the Pacific Ocean, at the eastern part of the Philippines largely
contributed to the evaporation of water vapor. These water vapor form the clouds
which bring rains and thunderstorms.

Impacts of these Phenomena to Filipinos

Generally, these phenomena are closely related to the everyday living of

Filipinos. However, these phenomena affect Filipinos in a different way
depending on the different sectors of the communities.

Monsoons change direction with the seasons such as summer or winter.

Monsoons in South and Southeast Asia, where Philippines is located, are very
essential for the growing of crops. As the humid air rises over the land, the air
gradually cools producing heavy rains which supply the water needed for rice
and other crops (Padilla et. al, 2002). In this sense, monsoons, on the one hand,
make farmers happy as there is an abundant water supply in irrigations for
farmers’ crops.

On the other hand, monsoons negatively affect the fisher folks. For
instance, it has been reported in September 2019 that the fisher folks in Davao
City demand support from the local government as their livelihood has stopped
due to the huge waves brought by the Hanging Habagat or southwest monsoon.
In this case, monsoons make fisher folks unhappy as huge waves and heavy
rainfall hamper their livelihood (Source: Llemit,R.E & Suaner, V.E.”Monsoon-
Affected Fisher Folk Seek Aid.”2019).

Meanwhile, ITCZ affects Filipinos because of its accompanying rainfall and

thunderstorms. For instance, it was reported on January 07, 2021 that
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) warned areas affected by the ITCZ within which a Low-Pressure Area
(LPA) is embedded and located 265 southeast of Davao City. The PAGASA also
warned the affected areas of the possible flash floods and landslides due to
excessive rain brought by the ITCZ and the Low-Pressure Area (Source: Arceo,A.
“Low Pressure, ITCZ Affecting Parts of Visayas,Mindanao.”2021). As a result,
heavy rainfall greatly affected Davao City causing havoc to vegetation,
specifically, vegetables which made prices soar higher than the normal.

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 Let Us Practice

Activity 1.1: Windy Breeze!

Direction: Complete the illustration by drawing an arrow which represents the
movement of the air during a sea breeze and a land breeze and label the process
correctly.
SEA BREEZE LAND BREEZE

Activity 1.2: Amihan vs. Habagat

Direction: Cite the similarities and differences of the 2 types of Monsoons
experienced by our country.

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 Let Us Practice More

Activity 2: Flash REPORT!

Direction: Read the news carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Low pressure area, ITCZ affecting parts of Visayas, Mindanao

(by Acor Arceo)

PAGASA warns areas affected by the low-pressure area and the

intertropical convergence zone to be on alert for floods and landslides. A newly
formed low-pressure area (LPA) embedded along the intertropical convergence
zone (ITCZ) is bringing rain to several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. The
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) said on Thursday afternoon, January 7, 2021 that the LPA was located
265 kilometers east southeast of Davao City. PAGASA warned of scattered rain
showers and thunderstorms in the following areas: Eastern Visayas,Central
Visayas and Mindanao.

The rain will be moderate to heavy at times, which could trigger flash floods
and landslides. PAGASA Weather Specialist Raymond Ordinario said the LPA
only has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression. The state weather
bureau earlier said La Niña is likely to continue until March. This means above
normal rainfall would persist. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or hanging
amihan is still affecting Luzon.There may be isolated light rain due to the
northeast monsoon, but PAGASA said there would be "no significant impact."

Answer the questions brief and concise:

1. What is ITCZ or Intertropical Convergence Zone?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What agency of the government is responsible for weather updates and other
related facts?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Where is the location of the LPA or the low-pressure area based on the news
report?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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4. What possible areas will be affected by the LPA and ITCZ?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. What would be the harmful effects brought about by these phenomena?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Let Us Remember

Atthe end of this module, it is expected that you have learned the following:
● Warm air rises while cool air sinks.
● Sea breeze occurs during daytime while land breeze occurs during nighttime.
● Monsoons in Filipino are called Amihan and Habagat.
● ITCZ or Intertropical Convergence Zone is the place where winds in the areas
near the equator meet or converge.
● Impacts of monsoons vary among different sectors within the community.
● ITCZ and Low-Pressure Areas bring heavy rainfall and thunderstorms which
could cause flash floods and landslides.

Let Us Assess

Read the questions carefully. Choose the best answer and write it on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following heats up faster, land or water?

A. Land heats up faster than water.
B. Water heats up faster than land.
C. Both land and water warm up at the same rate.
D. Rate of warming varies depending on weather conditions.

2. What happens when air becomes warm?

A. It rises. C. It stays in place.
B. It sinks. D. It spreads in all directions.

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3. Which of the following best differentiates sea breeze from land breeze?
A. Sea breeze and land breeze both happen in the day.
B. Sea breeze and land breeze both happen in the night.
C. Sea breeze happens in the night and land breeze happens in the
day.
D. Sea breeze happens in the day and land breeze happens in the
night.

4. What happens to the surrounding air when warm air in a certain place
rises?
A. The surrounding air will move in all directions.
B. The surrounding air will move to a higher place.
C. The surrounding air will move away from the rising air.
D. The surrounding air will move towards the place where warm air
is rising.

5. In what direction does the wind blow?

A. From Northeast to Southwest
B. From Southwest to Northeast
C. From Low Pressure Area to High Pressure Area
D. From High Pressure Area to Low Pressure Area

6. During the day, how do the temperature of land and water compare?
A. The same rate.
B. Land is warmer.
C. Water is warmer.
D. It depends on the location.

7. What are the two types of monsoons in the Philippines?

A. Amihan and Habagat
B. Amihan and Northeast Monsoons
C. Habagat and Southwest Monsoons
D. Northwest and Southeast Monsoons

8. Which of the following does NOT describe the Northeast monsoons or

Amihan?
A. Brings lot of rain
B. Brings cold weather
C. Comes around March to April
D. Comes around December to February

9. Which of the following months can you experience the Hanging

Habagat?
A. January to June
B. July to November
C. December to June
D March and April only

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10. What does ITCZ stand for?
A. Intercontinental Convergence Zone
B. Intertropical Concurrence Zone
C. Intertropical Convergence Zone
D. Intertropical Convection Zone

11. Which of the following best explains ITCZ?

A. The zone where warm air rises.
B. The zone where cold fronts form in the equator.
C. The zone where the west winds meet the subtropical high-pressure
belt.
D. The zone where the winds from the northern hemisphere and
southern hemisphere meet.

12. What effect does the ITCZ have on the weather of the Philippines?
A. It brings dry weather.
B. It brings wet weather.
C. It brings stable weather.
D. It brings a very hot climate.

13. In what way does monsoon affect the way of life of farmers?
A. Huge waves in the seas
B. Lightning for power plants
C. Sunlight to wither the agricultural crops
D. Water for vegetation and other agricultural crops

14. Which of the following is TRUE about the impacts of atmospheric

phenomena?
A. Atmospheric phenomena do not affect people's lives.
B. Atmospheric phenomena only affect those living in the city.
C. Atmospheric phenomena greatly contribute to the stable weather
condition in rural areas.
D. Atmospheric phenomena affect the people in Mindanao in
different ways especially to the farmers and fisher folks.

15. As a student, how are you going to lessen the impacts of these effects?
A. Make a song for the environment.
B. Burn plastics and garbage in my backyard.
C. Plant more trees to prevent flood and landslides caused by heavy
rainfall.
D. Throw my garbage in the drainage and other wastes in the canals
to stop flooding caused by heavy rainfall.

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 Let Us Enhance

Activity 3: What is Good for Me May Not Be Good for You!

Direction: Complete the table below by your thoughts about the impacts of
Hanging Habagat to different people. Just fill one answer per box.

Impacts of Hanging Habagat

Sector
Positive Negative

1. Farmers

2. Fishermen

3. Businessmen

4. People living in the

city

5. Energy providers

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 Let Us Reflect

Sea and land breeze, monsoons and intertropical convergence zone are
atmospheric phenomena which are naturally occurring including their effects.
However, when the Earth’s atmosphere became too warm because of the
increasing level of gases in our atmosphere, such as too much carbon emissions,
the effects could be more damaging to lives and properties. Hence, it is very
important for us to live simply, decrease our carbon emissions, and segregate
wastes properly. In addition, planting trees could save our lives during these
times. Trees not only help us prevent floods and landslides that are caused by
heavy rainfall but also in absorbing the carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
Finally, we should be more responsible as stewards of the environment God has
given us.

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Let Us Enhance – Activity 3 Let Us Practice More Let Us Practice – Activity 1.2
Activity 2
1. The region where air from
the Northern and
Southern Hemisphere
converge at the equator.
2. PAGASA
3. 265 kilometers east
southeast of Davao City
4. Eastern Visayas, Central
Visayas and Mindanao.
5. Floods and Landslides
due to heavy rainfall
Let Us Practice – Activity 1.1 Let Us Assess Let Us Assess
1. D 1. A 6. B
2. B 2. A 7. A
3. D 3. D 8. C
4. D 4. D 9. B
5. C 5. D 10. C
Answer Key
 References

Arceo, Acor. “Low Pressure,ITCZ Affecting Parts of Visayas,Mindanao.” Last

modified January 07,2021.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/weather/low-pressure-area-itcz-
pagasa-forecast-january-7-2021-4pm.

Kirchhoff, Herb. “What Are Convection Currents.” Retrieved on January

29,2021. https://sciencing.com/convection-currents-8172073.html

Llemit, Ralp Lawrence and Suaner, Vince Eugene. “Monsoon-Affected Fisher

Folk Seek Aid.” Last modified September 16,2019.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1823427/Davao/Local-
News/Monsoon-affected-fisherfolk-seek-aid Sunstar Davao

Mejia, Ivy, Obille Jr., Eligio and Tan, Merle. Science-Grade 7 Learner’s Material
Second Part,First Edition. Department of Education:2012.

Madamba, Jason. Experiencing Science: An activity-Based Worktext for Grade

7. Sta. Ana Manila:Innovative Education Materials,Inc,2016.

Padilla, Michael et.al,. Science Explorer. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
07458: Prentice Hall, Inc, 2002.

Weather Guys Editor. “How is the wind Measured.” Retrieved on January 29,
2021. https://wxguys.ssec.wisc.edu/2014/03/05/how-is-the-wind-
measured

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Davao City Division

E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City

Telephone: (082) 227 4762

Email Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph

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