Section 12.4 – Weather Analysis
and Prediction
8th Grade Earth and Space Science
Class Notes
Wednesday, 5/8
Warm – Up
• Explain what happens at a cold front. How is a cold front represented on a weather map?
• Write down the HW.
Learning Goal – Identify the various ways that weather data is collected.
Agenda
• Warm-Up Question/Review HW
• Class notes/discussion of Section 12.3
• Work on Weather Data WS (pg. 38) and 12.3 Review (pg.42)
Homework -
Air Mass WS and Section 12.1 Review due by Friday, 5/10
Global Wind Systems WS and Section 12.2 Review due by Friday, 5/10
Weather Data WS (pg. 38) and Section 12.3 Review due by Friday, 5/10
Station Models
• A record of weather data for a particular site
at a particular time
• Uses meteorological symbols (see Figure
12.17) for example
• All meteorologists to have a convenient and
efficient way to share data
Plotting Station Model Data
• Meteorologists use lines to connect points of
equal or constant values.
• Isobars – lines of
equal pressure
• Isotherms – lines of
equal temperature
Interpreting Station Model Data
• Isobars that are close together indicate strong
winds
• Isobars that are far apart indicate light winds
• Indicates high and low pressure systems
Digital Forecasts
• Created by applying physical principles and
math to atmospheric variables and making a
prediction about how these variables will
change over time
• Main method used
by present day
meteorologists
Analog Forecasts
• Based on comparison of current weather
patterns to those of the past
• Useful for conducting monthly or seasonal
forecasts
Short-Term Forecasts
• One to three days based on behavior of larger
surface and upper-level features (low
pressure, high pressure, etc.)
• Usually accurate for temperatures and
precipitation
Long-Term Forecast
• Less reliable than short-term forecasts
• 4-7 day forecasts rely on circulation patterns
in the troposphere and upper stratosphere
• Forecasts for months or seasons are based on
weather cycles or patterns