A weather map is a tool used to display information quickly showing the analysis of various meteorological quantities at various levels of the atmosphere. [1] Maps using isotherms show temperature gradients,[2] which can help locate weather fronts. A weather front is a boundary separating two masses of air of different densities, and is the principal cause of meteorological phenomena. Isotach maps, analyzing lines of equal wind speed,[3] on a constant pressure surface of 300 mb or 250 mb show where the jet stream is located. A contour line (also Level set, isopleth, isoline, isogram or isarithm) of a function of two Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found at the Tropopause, the transition between the Troposphere (where temperature decreases Two-dimensional streamlines based on wind speeds at various levels show areas of convergence and divergence in the wind field, which are helpful in determining the location of features within the wind pattern. Fluid flow is described in general by a Vector field in three (for steady flows or four (for non-steady flows including time dimensions A popular type of surface weather map is the surface weather analysis, which plots isobars to depict areas of high pressure and low pressure. A surface weather analysis is a special type of Weather map that provides a view of Weather elements over a geographical area at a specified time based on information A high pressure area (also called a high or high-pressure is a region where the Atmospheric pressure is greater than surrounding areas A low pressure area, or " low " is a region where the Atmospheric pressure is lower in relation to the surrounding area Special weather maps in aviation show areas of icing and turbulence.
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Uses
A weather map is used to display an overview of one or more atmospheric variables at a specific time in the free atmosphere. An atmosphere (from Greek ατμός - atmos, " Vapor " + σφαίρα - sphaira, " Sphere " They are used for the analysis and display of observations and computer analyses, including forecast fields derived by computer models. A computer simulation, a computer model or a computational model is a Computer program, or network of computers that attempts to simulate an
Plotted winds
- See also: Station model
Winds have a standard notation when plotted on weather maps. A station model is a symbolic illustration showing the Weather occurring at a given reporting station. More than a century ago, winds were plotted as arrows, with feathers on just one side depicting five knots of wind, while feathers on both sides depicted 10 knots (19 km/h) of wind. The notation changed to that of half of an arrow, with half of a wind barb indicating five knots, a full barb ten knots, and a pennant flag fifty knots.
Types of analyses performed
Isobaric analysis
An isobaric analysis involves the construction of lines of equal mean sea level pressure on a geographic map. The innermost closed lines indicate the positions of relative maxima and minima in the pressure field. The minima are called low pressure areas while the maxima are called high pressure areas. Highs are often shown as H's whereas lows are often shown as L's. Elongated areas of low pressure, or troughs, are sometimes plotted as thick, brown dashed lines down the trough axis. [4]
Isotach analysis
Isotachs are lines of equal wind speed drawn on weather maps. They are helpful in finding maxima and minima in the wind pattern. Minima in the wind pattern aloft are favorable for tropical cyclogenesis. Tropical cyclogenesis is the technical term describing the development and strengthening of a Tropical cyclone in the Atmosphere. Maximum in the wind pattern at various levels of the atmosphere show locations of jet streams.
Isotherm analysis
Isotherms are lines of equal temperature drawn on weather maps. Isotherms are drawn normally as solid lines at a preferred temperature interval. [5] They show temperature gradients, which can be useful in finding fronts, which are on the warm side of large temperature gradients. By plotting the freezing line, isotherms can be useful in determination of precipitation type.
Streamline analysis
A streamline analysis is a series of arrows oriented parallel to wind, showing wind motion within a certain geographic area. C's depict cyclonic flow or likely areas of low pressure, while A's depict anticyclonic flow or likely positions of high pressure areas. [6]
Types of weather maps
Surface weather analysis
- See also: Surface weather analysis
A surface weather analysis is a type of weather map that depicts positions for high and low pressure areas, as well as various types of synoptic scale systems such as frontal zones. A surface weather analysis is a special type of Weather map that provides a view of Weather elements over a geographical area at a specified time based on information A high pressure area (also called a high or high-pressure is a region where the Atmospheric pressure is greater than surrounding areas A low pressure area, or " low " is a region where the Atmospheric pressure is lower in relation to the surrounding area The synoptic scale in Meteorology (also known as large scale or cyclonic scale) is a horizontal length scale of the order of 1000 kilometres (about 620 A weather front is a boundary separating two masses of air of different densities, and is the principal cause of meteorological phenomena. Mesoscale boundaries such as tropical cyclones, outflow boundaries and squall lines also are analyzed on surface weather analyses. A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low pressure center and numerous Thunderstorms that produce strong winds and Flooding A squall line is a line of severe thunderstorms that can form along and/or ahead of a Cold front. Isobars are commonly used to place surface boundaries from the horse latitudes poleward, while streamline analyses are used in the tropics. This article refers to the geographical area For other uses see Horse latitudes (disambiguation Horsey latitudes or Subtropical High [7]
Aviation maps
Aviation interests have their own set of weather maps. Aviation refers to activities involving man-made flying devices ( Aircraft) including the people organizations and regulatory bodies involved with them One type of map shows where VFR (visual flight rules) are in effect and where IFR (instrument flight rules) are in effect. Weather depiction plots show ceiling height (level where at least half the sky is covered with clouds) in hundreds of feet, present weather, and cloud cover. A flight ceiling is the upper altitudinal limit at which any aircraft may fly given its mechanical abilities [8] Icing maps depict areas where icing can be a hazard for flying. Aviation-related maps also show areas of turbulence. [9]
See also
References
- ^ Encarta. A high pressure area (also called a high or high-pressure is a region where the Atmospheric pressure is greater than surrounding areas A contour line (also Level set, isopleth, isoline, isogram or isarithm) of a function of two A low pressure area, or " low " is a region where the Atmospheric pressure is lower in relation to the surrounding area A station model is a symbolic illustration showing the Weather occurring at a given reporting station. A surface weather analysis is a special type of Weather map that provides a view of Weather elements over a geographical area at a specified time based on information Chart. Retrieved on 2007-11-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the
- ^ DataStreme. AIR TEMPERATURE PATTERNS. Retrieved on 2007-11-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the
- ^ MAPS GPS Glossary. H-I-J. Retrieved on 2007-11-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the
- ^ University of Wisconsin. Surface Weather Analysis Chart. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England.
- ^ American Meteorological Society. Air Temperature Patterns. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England.
- ^ U. S. Marine Corps. Module 9 Analyze Streamlines. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England.
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology. The Weather Map. Retrieved on 2007-05-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England.
- ^ UNISYS. Surface Data Details. Retrieved on 2007-04-20. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.
- ^ Jeppesen. Weather Help. Retrieved on 2007-04-20. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.
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