Reading Weather MapsReading Weather Maps

MeteorologistMeteorologist

A meteorologist is a person who studies the A meteorologist is a person who studies the weather.weather.

Meteorologists make weather maps from Meteorologists make weather maps from information gathered using various weather information gathered using various weather instruments.instruments.

Instruments used might include those Instruments used might include those studied earlier in the unit as well as Doppler studied earlier in the unit as well as Doppler Radar, weather balloons, computers, and Radar, weather balloons, computers, and satellites.satellites.

MapsMaps

There are six basic types of weather maps:There are six basic types of weather maps:– SatelliteSatellite– RadarRadar– PrecipitationPrecipitation– TemperatureTemperature– Wind speed Wind speed – frontfront

Satellite MapsSatellite Maps

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/satpic/wsatusa.htm

Radar ImagesRadar Images

http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp

Temperature MapsTemperature Maps

Precipitation MapsPrecipitation Maps

Wind Speed MapsWind Speed Maps

Fronts MapsFronts Maps

Print MapsPrint Maps

Map SymbolsMap Symbols

Much information can be represented on a Much information can be represented on a weather map using symbols:weather map using symbols:– Air pressureAir pressure– High and low pressureHigh and low pressure– WindWind– Wind direction and velocityWind direction and velocity– FrontsFronts– Various precipitationVarious precipitation– TemperatureTemperature

SymbolsSymbols

Symbols (Isopleths)Symbols (Isopleths)

IsobarsIsobars are lines of equal pressure. The closer are lines of equal pressure. The closer together two isobars are the stronger the winds.together two isobars are the stronger the winds.

Isotherms Isotherms are lines representing equal are lines representing equal temperature.temperature.

In the attached photo, the red bars are isobars and In the attached photo, the red bars are isobars and the yellow are isothermsthe yellow are isotherms

Reading a Weather MapReading a Weather Map

Describe the Describe the weather in Florida.weather in Florida.

Describe the Describe the weather in Denver.weather in Denver.

Describe the Describe the weather near weather near Chicago.Chicago.