Weather Map Reading 11.2.11
Weather Forecasting
-Cumulus clouds usually form on warm afternoons
-when warm air rises
-Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds
-Low pressure indicated with cirrus clouds
-Meteorologists study weather
-use charts, maps, and computers to predict weather
-lots of weather predictions and information comes from National Weather Service
-Private weather forecasting for farmers and pilots
-tells if weather affects crops
Weather Technology
-forecasting techniques change over the years
-gathering weather data and using computers to make forecasts
-Weather balloons measure temperature, air pressure, and humidity in the troposphere and stratosphere
-1960: first weather satellite launched
-Computers take in weather information then process it to make weather predictions
-when weather changes, the predictions are revised
-Computers need right conditions
-wind speed and direction, humidity, sunlight, temperature, and air pressure
El Niño
-warm water current that happens every 2-7 years
-changes in ocean currents and global winds may cause short term weather patterns
-winds shift and push warm surface water
-warm water replaces the cold water
Reading Weather Maps
-National Weather Service receives data from over 300 weather stations
-Isobars: lines joining places on the map that have the same air pressure
-Isotherms: lines joining places that have the same temperature
-common symbols on weather maps show areas of high and low pressure, fronts, types of precipitation, and temperature
-Maps in newspapers are simple versions of weather maps
Sharpen Your Skills
- What is the temperature at this station?
The temperature is 30 Degrees F.
- What is the wind speed?
Wind speed is 1-2 MPH.
- Which way is the wind blowing?
The wind is blowing south.
- What is the air pressure?
The air pressure is 1016 millibars.
- What percent of the sky is covered by clouds?
About 70-80 % of the sky is covered by clouds .
- What type of precipitation, if any, is falling
Rain is falling.