Reading Weather Maps

Meteorologist  A meteorologist is a person who studies the weather.  Meteorologists make weather maps from information gathered using various weather instruments.  Instruments used might include those studied earlier in the unit as well as Doppler Radar, weather balloons, computers, and satellites.

Maps  There are six basic types of weather maps: –Satellite –Radar –Precipitation –Temperature –Wind speed –front

Satellite Maps 

Radar Images 

Temperature Maps

Precipitation Maps

Wind Speed Maps

Fronts Maps

Print Maps

Map Symbols  Much information can be represented on a weather map using symbols: –Air pressure –High and low pressure –Wind –Wind direction and velocity –Fronts –Various precipitation –Temperature

Symbols

Symbols (Isopleths)  Isobars are lines of equal pressure. The closer together two isobars are the stronger the winds.  Isotherms are lines representing equal temperature.  In the attached photo, the red bars are isobars and the yellow are isotherms

Reading a Weather Map  Describe the weather in Florida.  Describe the weather in Denver.  Describe the weather near Chicago.