Printable puzzles for seniors - Seasoned Times - Free Printable

Here's the completed crossword puzzle with explanations for each answer:

---

ACROSS

2. Official announcement about bad weather conditions
→ WARNING
*Explanation: A “warning” is an official alert issued by meteorological services to inform the public of imminent or occurring hazardous weather (e.g., tornado warning, flood warning).*

3. Upward current of warm air
→ THERMAL
*Explanation: A thermal is a column of rising warm air, often used by gliders and birds to gain altitude. It’s caused by uneven heating of the Earth’s surface.*

7. Arctic atmospheric condition when visibility is very poor
→ BLIZZARD
*Explanation: A blizzard is a severe snowstorm with strong sustained winds (≥35 mph) and low visibility (<0.25 miles) lasting at least 3 hours — common in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.*

8. To calculate or predict
→ FORECAST
*Explanation: In weather contexts, “forecast” means to predict future weather conditions using data and models. The clue says “to calculate or predict,” which fits perfectly.*

11. Change of a gas or vapor to a liquid by cooling
→ CONDENSATION
*Explanation: Condensation is the physical process where water vapor cools and turns into liquid water — key in cloud formation and the water cycle.*

---

DOWN

1. Condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls to the ground
→ PRECIPITATION
*Explanation: Precipitation includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail — all forms of water falling from the atmosphere after condensation.*

3. Instability in the air
→ TURBULENCE
*Explanation: Turbulence refers to chaotic, irregular air movements caused by instability — often experienced as bumps during flights or rough wind gusts.*

4. Sudden, strong wind of brief duration
→ GUST
*Explanation: A gust is a sudden, brief increase in wind speed — common during storms or thunderstorms.*

5. Extremely powerful downward air current in a limited area for a short time
→ DOWNDRAFT
*Explanation: A downdraft is a rapid descent of cool air from a storm cloud, often associated with thunderstorms and capable of causing wind damage.*

6. Sudden rush water, fire, smoke, sound, etc.
→ SURGE
*Explanation: A surge is a sudden, powerful forward or upward movement — e.g., storm surge (water), sound surge, or even electrical surge. Fits all listed examples.*

9. Instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure
→ BAROMETER
*Explanation: A barometer measures atmospheric pressure — crucial for predicting weather changes (falling pressure = stormy weather; rising = clearing).*

10. Rotating column of water and spray
→ WATERSPOUT
*Explanation: A waterspout is a rotating column of air and water mist that forms over water — similar to a tornado but over oceans or lakes.*

---

✔ Final Crossword Answers:

ACROSS:
2. WARNING
3. THERMAL
7. BLIZZARD
8. FORECAST
11. CONDENSATION

DOWN:
1. PRECIPITATION
3. TURBULENCE
4. GUST
5. DOWNDRAFT
6. SURGE
9. BAROMETER
10. WATERSPOUT

---

Let me know if you’d like a visual grid filled in or further explanations!