Week 2

Topic No.2: Weather Maps Use and Interpretation (4 hours)

Specific Learning Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able
to:
• Determine the correct use and interpretation of weather maps
-Surface Analysis Maps
-Surface Forecast
- Text Report
- Geo referencing electronic maps

Determine the correct use and interpretation of weather maps

The weather map is a symbolic representation of the atmospheric conditions of an

area at a given time. On a weather map, you will find isobars and symbols related
to pressure, direction and velocity of winds, clouds, precipitation and sea condition
on a base map with political boundaries. These details are recorded at different
weather stations at specified time

Meteorological Departments forecast weather conditions by evaluating these

weather elements shown on a weather map. This weather map is used in predicting
weather conditions for a day, a week or a month in advance, which helps in taking
precautions and safety measures. Weather forecasts help farmers, fishermen and
crew of ships. It also helps air flights in predicting atmospheric condition a few
hours ahead.

Weather maps are the collection of weather information from various

meteorological stations pertaining to the particular map area.
Pre Monsoon Months
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 Surface Analysis Maps

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
from ground-based weather stations.

Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts

A warm front is the transition area where a mass of warm air

moves to replace a mass of cold air. On a weather map, a warm
front is usually drawn using a solid red line with half circles
pointing in the direction of the cold air that will be replaced.
Warm fronts usually move from southwest to northeast. A warm
front can initially bring some rain, followed by clear skies and
warm temperatures.

A cold front is the transition area where a mass of cold air moves in
to replace a mass of warm air. On a weather map, a cold front is
usually drawn using a solid blue line with triangles pointing in the
direction of the warm air that will be replaced. Cold fronts typically
move from northwest to southeast. A cold front can bring cold
temperatures, torrential rains and high wind speeds.

A stationary front happens when a cold front and a warm front meet
up, but neither moves out of the way. On a weather map, a stationary
front is usually drawn using alternating cold front and warm front
symbols. Stationary fronts bring long rainy periods that stay in one
spot.

Cold fronts move faster than warm fronts, and sometimes a cold front
catches up to a warm front. When this happens, it’s called
an occluded front. Occluded fronts are drawn as a solid purple line
with half circles and triangles pointing in the direction that the front is
moving. An occluded front usually brings dry air.
Less Common Symbols

The following symbols are much less common on basic weather maps. However, you might run
into these

on more advanced weather maps from the NOAA and other sources.

Dry Line

Most areas of the country don’t experience them often, but it’s important
to mention the dry line. Dry lines

are most commonly found in the High Plains states during the spring and
early summer. You can think of
these dry lines as a boundary marking the difference in humidity—warm,
humid air on one side, and dry,
hot air on the other. As the drier air behind dry lines lifts the moist air
ahead of it, it can trigger the
development of thunderstorms and sometimes severe tornadic thunderstorms along and ahead of
the dry
line.
Troughs
Troughs are not really fronts like the above symbols, but instead
are elongated areas of lower atmospheric
pressure (we’ll talk about highs and lows next). There’s no
change in air mass across a trough, but you’ll
notice changes in wind direction.
Troughs reflect the change in the atmospheric conditions in the
upper atmosphere. As such, troughs can be
areas where showers and thunderstorms can form.

Squall Line

On some advanced maps, meteorologists will place the squall

line symbol to indicate the presence of an organized and severe
line of thunderstorms. This line of thunderstorms generally
forms along a front, andthe storm then moves ahead of the front.
They are usually seen ahead of cold fronts and dry lines, and
can produce extended and fast-moving severe weather in the
form of heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail, and lightning.
WEATHER STATION SYMBOLS
 GEO REFERENCING ELECTRONIC MAPS

Georeferencing means that the internal coordinate system of a digital map or aerial
photo can be related to a ground system of geographic coordinates. A
georeferenced digital map or image has been tied to a known Earth coordinate
system, so users can determine where every point on the map or aerial photo
is located on the Earth's surface.
The relevant coordinate transforms are typically stored within the image file
(GeoPDF and GeoTIFF are examples of georeferenced file formats), though there
are many possible mechanisms for implementing georeferencing. Georeferencing
in the digital file allows basic map analysis to be done, such as pointing and
clicking on the map to determine the coordinates of a point, to calculate distances
and areas, and to determine other information.