Practice with Weather Maps - Warren's Science Site



Fronts on a weather map. These mark the boundary between warmer air on one side and colder air on the other. If you are close to a front and you know the front is moving towards you, you can expect a change in weather (e.g. cloud formation, precipitation, thunderstorms, and wind) when the front boundary passes over you. Their path can be distorted by mountains and large bodies of water. On a weather map, you will notice some lines that have semi-circles or triangles on either side, or both (shown here). These indicate the boundaries for various types of fronts:

 

1. Cold front: Rainfall can be torrential and wind speeds can be high. Represented on a weather map as a (blue) line with triangles bordering one side. The direction that the triangles point is the direction in which the cold front is moving.

2. Warm front: Often brings a gradual increase in rainfall as the front approaches, followed by prompt clearing and warming after the front passes. If the warm air mass is unstable, the weather might be characterized by prolonged thunderstorms. Represented on a weather map by (red) lines with semi-circles on one side. The side that the semi-circles are on represent the direction in which the warm front is heading.

3. Occluded front: Formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front. Associated with a variety of weather events (possibly thunderstorms) depending on whether it is a warm or cold occlusion. The passing of an occluded front usually brings drier air (lowered dew point). Represented on a weather map by a line with semi-circles and triangles both on the same side. Whichever side they're on is the direction the occluded front is going in.

4. Stationary front: Indicates a non-moving boundary between two different air masses. Long continuous rainy periods that linger for extended periods of time in one area and move in waves. Represented on a weather map by a line with semi-circles bordering one side and triangles along the opposite side, indicating that the front is not moving in any direction.

Pressure systems: Pressure systems are associated with certain weather patterns.

❑ Low pressure system: Increased cloudiness, wind, temperatures, and chance of precipitation. Represented on a map by isobars very close together with “L” in the middle. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds circle counterclockwise around a low pressure system. Warm and cold fronts are produced by low pressure.

❑ High pressure system: Indicates clear, calm conditions with a reduced chance of precipitation. Drier air results in a greater range of high and low temperatures. Represented on the map with an isobars surrounding an “H”. Winds circle clockwise around a high pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere.

Practice with Weather Maps Name:

Hour:

Read the instructions on how to read a weather map to help you answer the questions. ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS MUST HAVE THE WORD “BECAUSE” IN THEM!

1. Which state(s) has the highest pressure in the United States?

2. Which state(s) has the lowest pressure in the U.S.?

3. Which state(s) do you expect to have drizzly (light rain) weather?

4. What do you think the weather in our town will be? What evidence do you have?

5. What will it be like tomorrow in our town? What evidence supports your prediction?

New Map

1. Which state(s) has the highest pressure in the United States?

2. Which state(s) has the lowest pressure in the U.S.?

3. Which state(s) do you expect to have the stormiest weather?

4. What do you think the weather in our town will be? What evidence do you have?

5. What will it be like tomorrow in our town? What evidence supports your prediction?

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download