Synoptic Weather
Weather on a large scale Weather forecasting requires knowledge of weather conditions over a large geographic area – sometimes called synoptic scale weather. The relationships among atmospheric variables can be observed locally. On weather maps, weather observations for a particular location are recorded on a station model.
Station Model on Your ESRT
Pressure Abbreviations If we have two pressure readings, 997.4 mb and 1017.6 mb, they are abbreviated differently on a station model to save space. 997.4 is reduced to 974 1017.6 is reduced to 176 So the low numbers are higher pressure!
Station Model Terms Station models include: Present weather conditions Amount of precipitation over last 6 hrs Visibility (miles) Barometric pressure is abbreviated
Visibility
Precipitation
Relative Humidity
Weather Station Practice Temp Dew Point Wind Direction Wind Speed Cloud Cover Pressure Pressure change Current Weather
Lab 14: Station Models and Synoptic Maps
Directions: Pretend you are a meteorologist that must read the attached map to report weather at various locations to a colleague in order for the both of you to predict upcoming storms. According to the map, answer the following questions below. Be sure to use proper units.
What is the current weather in New York? Temperature: _______ Pressure: ________ Dew Point: _______ Cloud Cover: _______ Types of clouds _______ Visibility: _______ Wind direction: ___________ Wind Speed: _________ Present weather: ___________ Precipitation in the past 6 hours: _________ Is barometer rising or falling? __________ Is precipitation likely coming soon in this area? ____________________________________
What is the current weather in Colorado? Temperature: _______ Pressure: ________ Dew Point: _______ Cloud Cover: _______ Types of clouds _______ Visibility: _______ Wind direction: ___________ Wind Speed: _________ Present weather: ___________ Precipitation in the past 6 hours: _________ Is barometer rising or falling? __________ Is precipitation likely coming soon in this area? ____________________________________
Using the following information, construct station models for the following sets of conditions: A partly cloudy day, temperature 71°F, dew point temperature 65°F. The barometer reads 1005.6 mbars, up 1.3 mb from 3 hours before. Visibility is 6 miles, with winds coming from the southeast at 15 knots.
Overcast skies, temperature of 30°F, dew point temperature 29°F Overcast skies, temperature of 30°F, dew point temperature 29°F. Visibility ½ mile, light snow falling. The winds are coming from the southwest, at 10 knots. The pressure is 1010.4 mb and falling.
Patches of blue sky can be seen, with mostly cloudy skies Patches of blue sky can be seen, with mostly cloudy skies. Visibility 3 miles, temperature 56°F, dew point 52°F, pressure is 998.4 mb and falling. Winds are coming from the east at 20 knots; occasional thundershowers.
Wind Speed and Direction